Computer
science --- what is it?
Computer
science is a discipline that involves the understanding and design of
computers and computational processes... Particular interest is placed
on making processes efficient and endowing them with some form of
intelligence. The discipline ranges from theoretical studies of
algorithms to practical problems of implementation in terms of
computational hardware and software....In computer science there is an
inherent intermingling of the theoretical concepts of computability and
algorithmic efficiency with the modern practical advancements in
electronics that continue to stimulate advances in the discipline. It
is this close interaction of the theoretical and design aspects of the
field that binds them together into a single discipline.
--from Computer Science: The Profession (CSAB)
Computer science is a scientific discipline that focuses on the
theoretical aspects of improving computers and computer
software.
--from Webster's New World Computing Dictionary
Computer
science at Stonehill-- what is it?
Here,
we have two definitions of computer science: one somewhat technical,
the other quite simple. Nonetheless, both emphasize theoretical
foundations coupled with hardware and software design. The
curriculum at Stonehill reflects this blend of theory and practice. At
Stonehill, computer science courses fall roughly into three overlapping
categories: computer theory, computer architecture (hardware), and
computer software.
Courses in computer
theory provide the foundation for tomorrow's
technology. Under the rubric of theory, students study
theoretical topics like " computability," "finite state machines," and
"graph theory" as well as the design and analysis of
algorithms.
The
architecture sequence consists of several courses which explore
the computer "under the hood." In one such course, students
design their own small computers using a bit of mathematical
theory. Architecture courses allow students to understand
computer hardware from both the engineer's and the programmer's
point of view.
The software
component of the curriculum begins with elementary computer
programming and progresses to more advanced topics like database
management systems, artificial intelligence, and operating systems.
In the final capstone course, seniors, working in teams,
develop large software systems using the principles of software
engineering.
Through problem
solving and lab work, computer science majors develop an understanding
of each of these subject areas as well as the strong relationships
among them. This balanced mix of theory and application, provides
graduates with the requisite background for both entry into the
computer profession and further graduate study in computer science.
"My experience as a
computer science major at has been excellent. My computer science professors pushed me to do more than I thought I could, and then asked me to do twice that."
-- Scott Markoski '10
Students Create Interactive
Mobile Touring Ap
|
As it looked for new ways of reaching
prospective students, the Enrollment Management and Marketing Division
approached computer science majors Ryan Curtis ‘10 and Scott Markoski
‘10 for ideas.
The end result was Gaido, a one-of-a-kind
touring application smart phone owners can utilize for unique,
interactive experiences. Read More
|
|
Stonehill
computer science team takes first place at CCSNE programming
competition.
Read more
Read the article about the CS Department
in the Alumni Magazine
Read the article about the CS Major and chess
champion Jesse Suero in the Alumni Magazine
Stonehill
Senior Wins National Science Foundation Graduate Research
Fellowship
From more than 9000
applicants, the National Science Foundation recently awarded 1021
graduate research fellowships, including 77 including in computer
science. Read more
Stonehill Receives Clare Boothe Luce Grant for CS Scholarships
The The Henry Luce
Foundation recently awarded Stonehill College a grant of $101,224
designated for computer science scholarships. This grant, which
is part of the Clare Boothe Luce Program, will fund for two
undergraduate scholarships for highly qualified female students who are
computer science majors. Stonehill is one of only eighteen colleges and
universities selected by the Clare Boothe Luce Program for awards in
2001. Read more.
Stonehill
Professors receive 158K grant from the National Science
Foundation
Professors Ralph
Bravaco and Shai Simonson, both of the Department of Computer
Science, have received notification from the National Science
Foundation that their Teacher Enhancement proposal, Java and Object
Oriented Design: Professional Development
for Secondary School Computer Science Teachers, has received
funding. The grant of $158,368 will
provide a series of workshops for secondary school teachers of computer
science over a two-year period. The topic of the
workshops will be Java and Object Oriented Programming. In
addition to serving a core group of twenty-five local high school
teachers, the project will feature a regional conference and the
development and dissemination of instructional materials. Read more about the program
J
