Learning Outcomes
Computer Science Major
Upon completion of a computer science major, a student will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental concepts of computer science, including: abstraction; elementary algorithms and data structures; boolean logic and its digital representations; and computer organization.
- Program in multiple languages and understand the basic concepts of code organization and documentation.
- Understand the principles of mathematical proof and of elementary number theory, probability, and combinatorics; use these principles to reason about computation.
- Execute a sustained research project:
- Choose and define a significant topic of inquiry from the major field.
- Independently execute a significant research project under the mentorship of an adviser.
- Identify, analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship.
- Develop new research or systematize or explain existing research.
- Clearly communicate work done:
- Write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and in the style and format appropriate to the field.
- Present, discuss, and defend their work orally in front of scientific and non-scientific audiences.
Math-Computer Science Interdisciplinary Major
Upon completion of the mathematics-computer science interdisciplinary major, a student will have demonstrated a broad mastery of the fundamentals of mathematics and computer science, planned and executed a sustained research project, and clearly communicated their understanding/findings both in written and oral presentation. The student will be able to:
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- Make arguments and solve problems in topics from one-variable calculus; the real and complex number systems and beginning analysis; combinatorics, probability, and number theory; linear algebra; and vector calculus.
- Understand the fundamental concepts of computer science, including: abstraction; elementary algorithms and data structures; boolean logic and its digital representations; and computer organization.
- Program in multiple languages and understand the basic concepts of code organization and documentation.
- Execute a sustained research project:
- Choose and define a significant topic of inquiry from the major field.
- Independently execute a significant research project under the mentorship of an adviser.
- Identify, analyze, critique, and evaluate existing scholarship.
- Develop new research or systematize or explain existing research.
- Clearly communicate work done:
- Write a clear and coherent document that is substantially longer than a traditional term paper or project and in the style and format appropriate to the field.
- Present, discuss, and defend their work orally to scientific and non-scientific audiences.