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.
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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.
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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
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Stonehill
computer science team takes first place at CCSNE
programming competition.
Read more
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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