2021-2022 Academic Catalog

Apr 20, 2024

2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computer Science Minor

Computer Science Overview

The Department of Computer Science at Clark University provides a supportive environment and offers rigorous courses and programs , with excellent career prospects for students. We think of computer science neither as a narrow path to the next killer app, nor indeed to any specific product. Rather, computer science is a broad discipline that provides the means to solve complex challenges more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

As a computer science student, you will develop a strong foundation in theory and computational problem solving skills that are broadly applicable to many disciplines and careers. You will also build your expertise by applying your foundation and skills to practical applications. Our liberal arts curriculum will give you an appreciation for the interconnected nature of our society, and you will graduate ready to apply and extend your skills in society, industry, or research through digital innovations, new discoveries, and never-before-imagined solutions.

Our faculty are well-known researchers, care deeply about teaching, and work hard to help our students achieve their potential. What sets us apart is two-fold:

We have outstanding faculty with expertise in a variety of fields - more diverse than what you will find at most small colleges.
We are a small department and can provide a more supportive environment than what you will find at a bigger university.

Our faculty and students work together to provide a nurturing community such as one finds in small colleges, with the quality of a big university.

Excellent co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities

Computer science students at Clark have excellent opportunities inside and outside the classroom, including but not limited to the following. Many of these opportunities are normally reserved for graduate students in other institutions.

Work with faculty on research projects, publish co-authored papers, and participate in professional conferences.
Follow their own interests, developing innovative projects while working with a faculty advisor.
Train and work as undergraduate teaching assistants and computer lab administrators within the department; and work at Clark’s Information Technology Services and other departments.
Participate in programming competitions and hackathons - our students have excelled in these events.

Diverse Options for Double Majors, Minors and Concentrations

Computer science students at Clark often have other interests or come from students who initially planned to study other disciplines. Clark offers a variety of wonderful programs, and many of our students double major or pursue one or more minors in diverse disciplines, such as: Data Science, Economics, Mathematics, Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), Environmental Science, Business Management, Political Science, Geography/GIS, Psychology, Education, English, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Game Design.

Our students also volunteer in the community, study abroad, create startups, and work toward making a difference in the world.

Outstanding Student Outcomes and Return on Investment

We have an outstanding placement record of computer science students. Our graduates have gone on to some of the most prestigious companies, research labs, and graduate schools in the world. Others choose Clark’s Accelerated Degree Program (also known as “fifth-year program”), offering master’s degrees in many fields such as data analytics, information technology, finance, business administration, and education. The Columbia Combined Plan Program (also known as the 3-2 Engineering Program at Clark) allows students to earn a BA degree from Clark and a BS degree from Columbia University (subject to their admission) in diverse disciplines such as computer science, computer engineering, operations research, and financial engineering.

Recent articles about our students on the Clark website (https://clarknow.clarku.edu/topic/computer-science/) and our department Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MathCSAtClark/) highlight many of their achievements. These students have diverse interests, including double majors and minors, and have been active in student organizations such as Student Council, Model UN, Diversity, Hip Hop, Theatre, Standup Comedy, Martial Arts, Investment, and Entrepreneurship.

For more information, please visit the Computer Science Department website.

Minor Requirements

The computer science minor requires six courses: CSCI 120 Introduction to Computing, CSCI 121 Data Structures or CSCI 124 Honors Introduction to Computing, and four other courses in Computer Science (although MATH 114 Discrete Mathematics may substitute for one), at least one of which is at the 200 level.

The introductory computer science courses are also part of Clark’s Program of Liberal Studies (PLS). More specifically, CSCI 120, 121, and 124 are science perspective (SP) courses, and Math 114 is a formal analysis (FA) course.

Students must earn a minimum course grade of C- in order to receive major or minor credit in Computer Science. No course can be taken as pass/fail for the computer science major or minor.

Below are some sample course sequences for the computer science minor. You’re welcome to consult the computer science faculty and choose other courses that interest you.

Software sequence:

Applications sequence 1 (Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision):

Applications sequence 2 (Computer Architecture and Networking):

CSCI 120 - CSCI 121 or CSCI 124
MATH 114 - Discrete Mathematics
CSCI 140 - Assembly Language And Computer Organization
CSCI 160 - Algorithms
CSCI 280 - Computer Networks

Theory sequence:

Computer Science Faculty

John Magee, Ph.D., Chair
Kenneth Basye, Ph.D.
Frederic Green, Ph.D.
Li Han, Ph.D.
Gary Holness, Ph.D.
Shuo Niu, Ph.D.
Olufemi Odegbile, Ph.D.
Peter Story, Ph.D.
Catalin Veghes, M.S.

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