Computer Science

Douglas Lea, Chair
396 Shineman Center
315-312-2367
www.oswego.edu/compsci

Computer Science is the study of both the underlying theories and the various applications of computing and computers. The computer science program at Oswego combines a sound theoretical foundation with a high level of practical expertise in all areas of the discipline. A full range of courses are offered including all the major programming languages.

The Computer Science Department relies heavily upon Sun computers, and maintains its own network of Sun servers. Two separate laboratories maintained by the department house dozens of Sun Rays with gigabit connection to a Sun server; one laboratory houses Dell Pentium IV computers with connection to the campus network. There is also a special Sun-based research laboratory used for sponsored research.

All department workstations are connected to the Internet through the campus network. Any student with a campus account has access to e-mail and other network services, providing access to worldwide electronic resources.

The department offers ample opportunities for internships, independent study, and individual research. All interested students are invited to join the Computer Science Association, and Women in Computing organizations. Career opportunities include diverse areas such as computer programming, systems analysis, management science applications, information systems, networking, research, and others. Typical entry-level job titles of graduates include programmer, software engineer, systems analyst, and research consultant.

Software Engineering

Software Engineering features a curriculum that provides students with the engineering essentials and experience they need, as well as a fundamental knowledge in the sciences, mathematics, and computing. The Software Engineering program focus is built into a strong set of systems-oriented course offerings. Software requirements, design, construction, testing, maintenance, configuration management, engineering management, engineering process, tools, and software quality assurance are the knowledge areas embedded and reiterated in the curriculum.

The Software Engineering program has not yet been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, however, it meets all Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and Engineering Accreditation Council criteria for accreditation. Upon graduation of the first cohort of students, we will seek accreditation for this program.

Information Science
Randolph Odendahl, Director • 315-312-2685

The Computer Science Department supports an interdisciplinary degree program in Information Science. It combines a strong technical component (courses in computer programming, database and text management systems, telecommunication, expert systems and statistics) with awareness of the human aspects of information systems (assessing people’s information needs, exploring various social effects of information systems, looking at national and international information policy issues, and evaluating systems in human terms). Following the first 39 hours of courses in information science, computer science and statistics, students then develop, along with a faculty member in an appropriate department, a contract of upper division course work designed to provide the student with a firm grounding in a particular application within the framework of Information Science.

Advisement for the Information Science major is provided by full-time Computer Science Department faculty and an interdisciplinary core faculty from the following departments:

Graphic Arts: Cynthia Clabough;
Computer Science: Randolph Odendahl;
Library: Natalie Sturr
Psychology: Damian Schofield

The Information Science major differs in content, goals, and perspective from the Computer Science major. The Computer Science major requires courses in programming, mathematics, and computational theory, appropriate for students with primary interests in the science of computing. The Information Science major also requires some courses in these areas, but additionally requires courses in the organization, representation, and manipulation of information, appropriate for students with primary interests in the theory, applications, management, and communication of information.

The Department of Computer Science cosponsors this program:

Linguistics Major (BA)

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Cognitive Science

• COG 444 - Semiotics and the Study of Meaning

Computer Science

Information Science