Interdisciplinary Major in
Computer Science
for students in the College of Arts & Sciences
Overview Computer Science is the study of information processes. Computer scientists
learn how to describe information processes, how to reason about and predict properties
of information processes, and how to implement information processes elegantly and
efficiently in hardware and software. The Computer Science curriculum concentrates on
developing the deep understanding of computing and critical thinking skills that will
enable graduates to pursue a wide variety of possible fields and to become academic,
cultural, and industrial leaders. The core curriculum focuses on developing methods
and tools for describing, implementing, and analyzing information processes and for
managing complexity including abstraction, specification, and recursion. Computing
connects closely with a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to, the visual
arts, music, life sciences including biology and cognitive science, the physical sciences,
linguistics, mathematics, and the social sciences. The Computer Science major provides
students with a strong foundation in computer science, combined with courses in arts,
humanities, and sciences, in order to develop broad understanding of other areas and
their connections to computing.
Faculty The Computer Science department has twenty-six faculty members. Our faculty
is strongly committed to teaching as well as conducting world-class research. Faculty
interests span major areas of computer science with particular strengths in algorithms,
programming languages, security, sensor networks, software engineering, and theory.
The Computer Science major is administered by the Computer Science BA Committee,
composed of faculty from various departments in the College and the Computer Science
Department. The BA Committee is responsible for the BA curriculum, student advising,
and deciding on exceptions to the major requirements.
Students Computer Science maj