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Lecturer, Computer Science

Education

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

EducationComputer Science

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  2. 2Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
  3. 3Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
  4. 4Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  5. 5Direct research of other teachers or of graduate students working for advanced academic degrees.
  6. 6Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  7. 7Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
  8. 8Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  9. 9Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
  10. 10Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
  11. 11Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
  12. 12Supervise students' laboratory work.
  13. 13Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  14. 14Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  15. 15Develop and maintain Web sites for online courses.
  16. 16Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
  17. 17Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
  18. 18Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
  19. 19Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
  20. 20Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.
  21. 21Maintain computer equipment used in instruction.
  22. 22Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
  23. 23Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
  24. 24Participate in campus and community events.
  25. 25Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
  26. 26Act as advisers to student organizations.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Lecturer
  • Professor
  • Instructor
  • IS Professor
  • IT Professor
  • C++ Professor
  • CIS Professor
  • IT Instructor
  • CIS Instructor
  • Faculty Member

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationMaster's degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics96%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • Education and Training95%
  • English Language84%

    English

  • Customer and Personal Service81%
  • Mathematics78%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • Engineering and Technology76%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicHigh
  • Leading or coordinating othersVery high
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentRarely

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

14%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.01%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

IPG (Teacher Training)

Become a school teacher: fully funded, with an allowance and a guaranteed posting. Apply separately through KPM after SPM.

~5 years

Diploma

Skill-first qualification. Work after, or enter degree Year 2. Polytechnics keep it affordable.

2.5–3 years

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org