Computer science programs at colleges often provide a list of suggested term paper topics. Access the college website or course catalog and look at the list of courses offered for the computer science major. The course titles can lead to ideas for papers or provide searchable keywords. University computer science department websites also often provide resources that can help you choose paper and project topics.
The table of contents to your textbook is full of possible topics for a term paper. Selecting something from the textbook almost guarantees that the topic is course-relevant and the textbook starts you off with your first reference material. Browse the computer science textbooks at your school's bookstore for other possible term paper ideas.
Science, technology and computer magazines are full of news on advances in computer science and other technology. Avoid magazines that are more than six months old, however, as the advances in computer science change quickly as seen in the frequent releases of new versions of computers and other devices. Term paper topics should be easy to research so after selecting possible topics from magazine articles check your school library for books and journals to use for references.
Commercials and advertisements can be convenient sources of term paper topics. Companies like IBM and Intel have many commercials that discuss advances in computers and potential futuristic creations. IBM's Watson computer was created to compete against human brains on the popular TV quiz show "Jeopardy." Computer science application in daily life is a flexible way to structure a term paper, which could lead to future project ideas throughout the computer science program and possible advances in the field.