St. Lawrence University: Computer Science

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Major Requirements Advanced Placement Mathematics Requirement Senior Project Minor Requirements Combined Major Faculty Courses Return to Academics	Computer Science Major and minor offered Visit the mathematics, computer science and statistics department Web page at http://it.stlawu.edu/~math/. The computer is a tool of profound complexity in practice but of equally profound simplicity in definition. The study of computer science at St. Lawrence University brings together the theory and practice of computing to solve a wide range of problems. Computer science considers problem-solving in the abstract, developing a set of intellectual skills for finding and designing solutions that will benefit majors and non-majors alike. All students are encouraged to take advantage of these courses to explore abstract problem-solving and the use of modern computers. Computer science majors can take advantage of the sequence of programming courses that lay the foundation of general problem-solving and the use of computer technology to express those solutions. Advanced courses focus on the theory and practice of computation in the study of languages as mathematical constructs and in the design and analysis of algorithms. These courses prepare computer science majors for the many careers where computers and problem-solving play a central role, such as software development, telecommunications design, computer graphics and even technical writing. Majors can pursue advanced degrees in computer science as well as biomechanical engineering, business administration and pure mathematics. At St. Lawrence, majors have many opportunities to conduct independent research during paid summer internships, independent study courses and senior research projects. Computer science courses can augment the learning of all students, not just computer science majors. Programming courses can help non-majors develop useful abstract problem- solving and technical skills; with computers playing a broader role in many disciplines, these skills are of increasing importance. The computer science major is a fairly young major at St. Lawrence, but the commitment to learning with and about technology has a long pedigree. The information technology infrastructure supports computer science courses taught in fully computerized classrooms, networked access to class resources and the use of advanced machines and capabilities in upper-level courses. Major Requirements The requirements for a major in computer science include 10 courses following a “4-3-2-1” scheme: four required basic courses, three required core courses, two electives and one senior project. There is also a required mathematics course. Basic Courses (four required) 140. Introduction to Computer Programming. 219. Techniques of Computer Science. 220. Computer Organization. 319. Data Structures. Core Courses (three required) 362. Algorithm Analysis. 364. Programming Languages. 380. Theory of Computation. Electives (any two) Any computer science course at the 300+ level. Senior Project 489. SYE: Senior Project for Majors. 498. SYE: Senior Honors Prfoject for Majors Mathematics Requirement 280. Bridge to Higher Mathematics. Advanced Placement Students who enter St. Lawrence with a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Computer Science A test will receive credit for Computer Science 140. Students who enter with a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement AB test will receive credit for Computer Science 140 and 219. Other students may begin in Computer Science 219 if their background is sufficiently strong. The 140 requirement will be waived for such students, but they will not receive University course credit. Mathematics Requirement The only required mathematics course for the computer science major is Mathematics 280 (Bridge to Higher Mathematics). Ideally it should be taken no later than the semester in which a student takes Computer Science 319 (Data Structures) and before Computer Science 362 (Algorithm Analysis) and 380 (Theory of Computation). Students are also strongly encouraged to take Mathematics 135 (Calculus I) and should consider other courses in mathematics. Senior Project The required senior project can be an individual research project, an individual programming project or a group programming project. In any case, it must include a substantial written component and an oral presentation of the final product. Minor Requirements The minor in computer science consists of six courses, including Computer Science 140, 219, 220, 319 and two additional computer science electives at the 300-level or above. Combined Major St. Lawrence offers a combined major in mathematics and computer science. A description of this major is given in the Catalog section entitled Mathematics-Computer Science. Professors James Vincent DeFranza, B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Kent State Professor of Mathematics Collen Joseph Knickerbocker, B.S., Ph.D., Clarkson Professor of Mathematics Alec Michael Sheard III, B.A., Yale; M.A., Ph.D., California (Berkeley) Rutherford Professor of Mathematics Ed Harcourt, B.S., SUNY Plattsburgh; M.S., Ph.D., North Carolina State Assistant Professor of Mathematics
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