Computer Science: An Overview Dr. Christian Skalka

Computers Everywhere Yours is the first generation for whom computers are a fact of life: At home At school At work and play The power of computers is amazing!

What is Computer Science? Computer science is about computers and much more: Designing new communication technologies Science and business Mathematics and logic, even philosophy

Programming and Beyond Myth: Computer Science is all about programming Fact: Programming is just a basic skill of computer science Basic skills open the door to diverse and exciting opportunities…

Advanced Applications Incredible speed allows massive amounts of data to be analyzed Computer algorithms are like telescopes Tools that see further than ever before…

Example: Computational Biology New insights into nature of living organisms via computational methods: Gene recognition Building the tree of life Advance the forefronts of scientific knowledge!

Example: Financial Modeling Methods for analyzing economic data: Discover hidden trends Constructing sophisticated economic models: Predict future market behavior Big bucks on Wall Street!

Engineering Information Systems Modern information systems are the most complex machines ever built New technologies make systems cheaper, faster, more reliable New design and programming methods facilitate worldwide communications…

Example: Distributed Systems Communication protocols Programs for routing information quickly and reliably Adapting systems to emerging media Build a better Internet!

Example: Computer Security Cryptographic techniques Security architectures Verification of system security Protect national security, personal privacy!

Theory of Computing The computer on your desk is an embodiment of great ideas Computation is an abstract concept What can computers do? How fast? Can they learn or think?

Example: Deep Blue Chess playing computers: automated problem solvers They said it could never happen… Deep Blue beats Gary Kasparov Study the nature of intelligence!

Computer Science at UVM Commitment to teaching: Provide rigorous training in basic skills Cutting edge research activities: Explore new horizons, choose your direction

People: Craig Damon 15 years experience in industry Founded two high-tech companies Research in Software Engineering, Databases Nominated for Kroepsch- Maurice teaching award

People: Maggie Eppstein 20 years teaching experience Extensive research in medical imaging and computational biology Contributions to breast cancer research

People: Christian Skalka (Me) Recently joined UVM CS Research in Programming languages, security, CS theory Background in Philosophy, interest in interdisciplinary study

Explore Computer Science An exciting, expanding field with new things happening every day Broad range of academic and professional opportunities UVM Computer Science: training in basic skills, exploration of advanced topics

Exploring Computer Science at The University of Vermont

The Colleges and Schools College Of Agriculture and Life Sciences College of Arts and Sciences College of Education and Social Services College of Engineering and Mathematics College of Medicine College of Nursing and Health Sciences School of Business Administration School of Natural Resources

Three Computer Science Degrees are offered at UVM. 1.Bachelor of Science, Major in Computer Science (College of Engineering and Math) 2.Bachelor of Science, Major in Computer Science and Information Systems (College of Engineering and Math) 3.Bachelor of Arts, Major in Computer Science (College of Arts and Sciences)

Minimum Undergraduate Entrance Requirements (University wide) 4 years of English 3 years of Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or equivalent) 3 years of social science 2 years of natural or physical science 2 years of the same foreign language

Admission Criteria College of Arts and Sciences Strongly encouraged: 4 years of mathematics, including trigonometry continue foreign language study during junior and senior years.

Admission Criteria College of Engineering and Mathematics 2 years physical sciences (Chemistry and Physics preferred) 4 years of mathematics including trigonometry Mathematics background and performance is a critical factor in admission

BSCS Offered through the College of E&M Most technical of 3 degrees Follows accreditation guidelines Minor required

BS CSIS Interdisciplinary program between CS and Business Administration Fulfills advanced standing requirement for MBA program No minor required

BACS Most flexible degree program Liberal arts education with CS major Facilitates double-major Minor required

Typical Courses First Year Courses: Visual Basic (CSIS only) Programming I and II Second Year Courses: Object Oriented Programming Computer Organization Programming Languages Data Structures

Typical Courses Junior/Senior Courses: (BSCS – 7 courses, CSIS – 3 courses, BACS - 4 courses) Operating Systems Compiler Construction Database Systems Software Engineering Computer Architecture Analysis of Algorithms Theory of Computation Special Topics

Special Topic Courses World Wide Web Introduction to Embedded Software Compiler Construction Analysis of Algorithms Neural Computation Parallel Algorithms and Programming Techniques Computer Networks Network Security and Cryptography Information Retrieval Computer Modeling and Simulation Human-Computer Interaction Combinatorial Algorithms Graduate Seminar: Machine Learning

Can’t Decide? No need to choose between the programs until your third semester! Apply to College of E&M, it’s easy to switch to A&S – not as easy to transfer into E&M

Accelerated Master’s Program Complete a bachelor and a master's degree in computer science within five years. Apply in junior year.

AP Credits Score of 4 or 5 on Computer Science A Exam CS 021 Computer Programming I 4.00 Score of 3 on Computer Science AB Exam CS 021 Computer Programming I 4.00 Score of 4 or 5 on Computer Science AB Exam CS 021 Computer Programming I 4.00 CS 026 Intro Level Computer Science 3.00

Computer Science Student Association student run organization provides –interaction with other CS students –a voice in the department –education –FUN!

Come Visit Visit us online: Stop by the department: visit a class meet with students meet with faculty Questions?