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
 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 • Computer Architecture

• Compiler Construction • Analysis of Algorithms
• Database Systems • Theory of Computation
• Software Engineering • Special Topics
 Special Topic Courses
• World Wide Web •Network Security and Cryptography
• Introduction to Embedded
• Information Retrieval
Software
• Compiler Construction •Computer Modeling and Simulation
• Analysis of Algorithms
•Human-Computer Interaction
• Neural Computation
•Combinatorial Algorithms
• Parallel Algorithms and
Programming Techniques •Graduate Seminar: Machine
• Computer Networks Learning
 Computer Science Bachelor's Degree Programs
at-a-glance

120

38
100 44

71
number of credits

80 Other
16 38 Bsad/Econ
Science
60
Math/Stat
23
8 CS
7
40 12 12

20 41
32 32

0
BS CS BS CSIS BA CS
Program Option
 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: www.cs.uvm.edu

Stop by the department:

visit a class
meet with students
meet with faculty
Questions?
Jackie.Redmond@uvm.edu