Computer Science

It is an exciting time to study computing. From science to the humanities, computing is at the center of interdisciplinary scholarship and research. Computer science at Wheaton falls into three categories: (1) a major, (2) a minor or (3) an interdisciplinary major (see Mathematics and Computer Science). A complete look at our computer science faculty, students and program can be found at: http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Acad/ComputerScience.

Studies in computer science provide students with the necessary background and skills to design and write software for tomorrow's computing tools. The major prepares students for graduate programs in computer science and/or careers in the computing industry. The minor addresses the changing needs of a liberally educated person in a technological society.

Facilities

Wheaton provides an impressive array of computational work environments for students in computer science courses. In addition to fully networked dorm rooms, wireless access, campus classrooms and labs, a dedicated computer science lab features 20 dual-boot Windows/Linux servers. A networked classroom provides experience in Mac OS X. Working in a blend of these different operating systems and providing a broad range of experience, students use a number of development environments as they gain experience in an array of different programming languages, including C/C++, Java, Python, Perl and LISP.

Connections

The department embraces Wheaton's commitment to connections, especially in linking computing to the liberal arts. New entry-level offerings include Computing and Texts, connecting Computing for Poets with the English department's Anglo-Saxon Literature or J.R.R. Tolkien. Another new connection is Graphic Design and Web Programming, connecting Graphic Design I in the Art department with Web Programming, Graphics and Design. These courses join Computer Architecture, Genes in Context, Logic and Programming and Visualizing Information in computer science's growing list of connections.