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.
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
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