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Apr 19, 2024
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2020-2021 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Computer Science, B.A.
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 Return to: Areas of Study
TENURED AND TENURE-TRACK FACULTY:
Drew Pasteur, Chair
Sofia Visa, Associate Chair
Denise Byrnes
Heather Guamera
Computer Science is the study of computer programs, abstract models of computers, and applications of computing. Computer Science combines elements of mathematics, philosophy, languages, and natural science. Although computing technology is continuously changing, the core skills required to practice Computer Science remain the same: problem solving, abstract thinking, and independent learning.
The mission of the Computer Science program is to educate students in the theoretical foundation of the discipline and its creative application to the solution of complex problems, and to prepare students to learn independently in a discipline that is constantly changing. Supported by a liberal arts education, the program seeks to develop students who are sensitive to the wide range of social concerns influenced by the discipline and who are articulate in expression of their ideas and actions. Students successfully completing the Computer Science major should have the computer science background and the mathematical maturity needed to enter a graduate program in Computer Science or to take an entry-level position in a computing-related field.
As computing is increasingly applied to other fields, students in the natural sciences, business and economics, and other majors may benefit from a minor or double major in Computer Science.
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Major in Computer Science
Consists of fourteen courses: Special Notes
- Junior Independent Study: The College requirement of a third unit of Independent Study is satisfied through the independent work done as part of CSCI 20000 , which must be taken for senior standing in the major.
- Advanced Placement: At most one course of advanced placement may be counted toward a major or minor. Advanced placement of one course in Computer Science is available to students who have taken the Advanced Placement Computer Science A examination or an equivalent furnished by the Department of Mathematical & Computational Sciences. Students are urged to take the AP examination for this purpose when possible. A score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Computer Science A examination earns students credit for CSCI 10000 and places them into CSCI 11000 . Such students who additionally are placed intoMATH 11200 or higher may start the Computer Science program in CSCI 12000 , with credit for CSCI 10000 and with CSCI 11000 waived. Other students who believe they have sufficient preparation to begin their study of Computer Science in a course other than CSCI 10000/10200 should consult with the chairperson to discuss appropriate placement. The advanced placement policy of the College is explained in the section on Academic Policies.Students are given a recommended placement in Computer Science based upon their high school record, their performance on the SAT and/or ACT, and their performance on a mathematics placement exam administered by the department during Summer registration.
- Students majoring or minoring in Computer Science may concurrently minor in Statistical and Data Sciences. No other major/minor combinations between these two fields are allowed.
- Majors are strongly encouraged to complete the math sequence in the following order;MATH 11100 , MATH 21500 , MATH 21100 , and MATH 22300 . Students are also encouraged to take MATH 11200 after completing MATH 11100 and before taking the MATH 200-level classes.
- The laboratory and classroom components are closely integrated in Computer Science courses with a laboratory and must therefore be taken concurrently. The course grade and the laboratory grade are identical and are based on performance in both components; the relative weight of the two components is stated in each course syllabus.
- Scientific Computing, CSCI 10000 , and Multimedia Computing, CSCI 10200 , are designed specifically for students wanting a course in Computer Science to partially fulfill the College’s Learning Across the Disciplines requirements.
- Those students who are oriented toward the application of the computer to a specific professional objective, such as industrial or business management, medicine, engineering, computational natural science, or law, should consider a Computer Science minor or double major in consultation with the adviser for those programs.
- Combined programs of liberal arts and engineering are available. (See Pre- Professional and Dual Degree Programs: Pre-Engineering.)
- Only grades of C- or better are acceptable in courses for the major or minor.
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