What is Computing Science?
Computing science is the study of automatic information manipulation. Computing science isn't tied to any one machine—it provides computational thinking skills that apply to many situations now, and into the future.
Computing Science at Augustana
At Augustana, students receive more one-on-one help as they learn to program a computer. We teach the leading programming languages (e.g. Java and Python) and ground students in all aspects of computing science.
Computing science is both an art and a science: we create amazing models out of low-level constructs and find elegant and efficient solutions to complex, multi-layered problems.
Program Information
Computing Science is available as a:
- Area of Study in Computing Science and Mathematics
- Minor in any program
Academic Innovations
All programs at Augustana include a wide-ranging liberal arts Core, taught within our unique “3-11” calendar
Careers
Studying Computing Science at Augustana prepares you to enter a rapidly growing field of careers such as:
- Web Designer
- Software Developer
- Database administrator
- Information System executives
- and many more!
Computing Science AlumnUS
Brad Croteau
Research and Development Coordinator for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Research and Development Coordinator for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Brad credits Augustana's computing science program with preparing him to view problems analytically. He adds, “political studies and the liberal arts approach prepared me for understanding the human organizations and interactions.”
Courses Highlights
111 - Computational Thinking
An introduction to computational thinking, problem solving, and the fundamental ideas of computing. Topics include algorithms, abstraction, and modelling; the syntax and semantics of a high-level language (e.g. Python); fundamental programming concepts and data structures, including simple containers (variables, arrays, lists, strings, dictionaries); sequencing, conditionals and repetition; documentation and style; object-oriented programming; exceptions and error handling; recursion; simple algorithm analysis and run- time efficiency.
218 - Web Development
Introduction to modern web architectures and technologies. Web platforms and standards. Client-side/server-side programming and web languages (e.g. HTML, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, Node.js). Introduction to internet security. Design and implementation of a simple web application.
250 - Computer Architecture
Introduction to computer systems as multilevel machines. Topics include data representation; the organization and execution cycle of Von Neumann machines; assembly-level programming, addressing modes, control flow, procedure calls, input/output, interrupts, caching; finite state machines, Boolean algebra, logic gates, and digital circuits.
320 - Software Engineering
Detailed study of software development processes, life cycles, and tools, especially object-oriented methods. Team work is emphasized in the completion of a large software project, from problem definition through to maintenance.
460 - Artificial Intelligence
Survey of concepts and applications of artificial intelligence, including knowledge representation, state-space search, heuristic search, expert systems and shells, natural language processing, propositional logic, learning and cognitive models, vision; implementation using an AI language (LISP or PROLOG).
Related Information
Rosanna Heise, MSc
Rosanna Heise has taught introductory and advanced programming courses, computer hardware, software engineering, assembly language, circuit design and some math courses.
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Mi-Young Kim, PhD
Mi-Young Kim teaches artificial intelligence, automata and complexity, and programming languages courses. Her research interests are in the area of natural language processing.
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Thibaud Lutellier, PhD
Thibaud Lutellier teaches a range of computer science courses. His research interests are in the area of software reliability and artificial intelligence.
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Mohammed Qasem, PhD
Mohammed Qasem teaches in the areas of computer science, including web design and development, parallel and distributed systems, algorithm design and analysis, computer architecture and operating system Concepts. His research centers mainly on computational intelligence.
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