Q: What is computer science?

Computer science is the study of fundamental principles of computing and computers. The focus of an undergraduate computer science curriculum is therefore also on fundamentals, such as: What precisely is computing? What techniques have been discovered for authoring computer software efficiently and accurately? How do modern computers work, starting at the hardware level and moving up through higher levels including assembly language, operating systems, and networks of computers? What are common elements of programming languages, and what are the relative strengths and weaknesses of different languages? How can computers be made to mimic human intelligence? How can computers be used to generate graphical images? What are the various threats to computer security and how can computers be protected against them?

Q: How does computer science differ from other technology disciplines?

At Duquesne, there are undergraduate majors in Multimedia and Information Systems Management in addition to a major in computer science. All of these majors teach programming as one component of their curricula, so they are similar in that respect. However, Multimedia and ISM majors are focused on applying computers to specific application areas (media and business, respectively). Computer science is instead focused on broadly applicable principles of computing. Research computer scientists discover better ways to solve problems with computers and entirely new ways to use computers.

Q: What do your students do after graduating?

Several of our graduates interested in learning to do cutting-edge research in computer science have gone on to PhD programs including some of the best in the nation, including those at Berkeley, the University of Washington, and Johns Hopkins. Others have found employment using their computer science skills in various interesting ways, including computer game development, national intelligence, supercomputing, and Web software development.

Q: What computing resources are available to computer science majors at Duquesne?

Resources supplied by the University and generous grants from the Alcoa Foundation have provided two state-of-the-art laboratories in College Hall with a total of 47 computers running both Windows and Linux. The department is networked to the central campus system and has excellent Internet connectivity. Students can receive accounts that provide them 24-hour access to these resources.

Q: I will need a strong support structure to enable me to perform up to my maximum ability. What is provided through the department?

Faculty in the department are available to work with you individually during their posted office hours and by appointment. The department also employs several students to serve as peer tutors. Classes are small: beginning level classes have 30 or fewer students and upper level classes typically have about 10-15 students. You will be treated as a person, not a number.

Q: Is there any type of student organization?

A student chapter of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) plans activities ranging from invited speakers who provide information on job opportunities and new trends in the discipline to social events. In recent years the club has sent a representative team to programming competitions.

Q: What type of practicums and internships are available?

All students in the BS program take a Senior Project course that gives them experience programming a practical problem. The university sponsors an active internship program for all students. Many opportunities exist in the Pittsburgh area for computer science students to work in an applied setting prior to their graduation.

Q: What are the differences between the BA and BS computer science programs?

The BA program requires fewer credit hours and less science but greater language proficiency. It is designed primarily for students who wish to double major in a non-science field. For students with a single major, we recommend the BS program, which is excellent preparation not only for immediate employment in technical fields but also for graduate study.

Q: How can I receive further information about the program?

Visit http://www.cs.duq.edu or contact the department chair, Dr. Jeffrey Jackson, by email at jacksonj@duq.edu, by phone at 412-396-6467, or by fax at 412-396-1937.