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 Software Program to Benefit Local
School for the Blind
Students from the
Perkins
School for the Blind in Watertown are more
independent thanks to a new
fully accessible time tracking system
designed and implemented by
Stonehill students. Last semester, seven
computer science majors along
with two interdisciplinary studies majors
concentrating in technology,
worked on the project as part of their
Senior Capstone. From coding the program to
writing a 220 page user
manual, the students developed every aspect
of the project which allows
Perkins’ students to record their work and
volunteer hours
electronically. Over the summer, Matt
Plummer ’15 worked closely with
Perkins on implementing the program, a tough
but rewarding and
practical learning experience. For more,
visit here.
|
Jen
Burge ’04 is used to the Mark Zuckerberg
question. A software engineer at Facebook for
the past five years, it seems everyone who hears
where she works wants to know if she’s met the
30-year-old billionaire and Facebook founder. “I
see him around campus occasionally,” she usually
replies, referring to the social media company’s
sprawling California headquarters.
Being at
a high-profile company where the boss is famous
might be what intrigues others but for Jen the
thrill comes from being able to apply her
computer science skills in a way that helps the
stars in her own life. “My favorite thing about
my job is getting to work on a product my
friends and family use every day,” Jen says. “I
enjoy knowing that the stuff I do helps so many
people stay connected with the people they care
about.” Read More
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
