Good question!
At Bryn Mawr, Computer Science is a program designed generally to explore problem solving using computers. Of course computers play a major part, but computer science is really about the problem solving part.
Computer science can involve many disciplines, including graphical design issues, mathematics, multimedia, electronics, cognitive science, bioinformatics, geoinformatics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, technology/social issues, complexity, and a host of other topics.
What kinds of problems does it help to answer?
Many of the big questions in computer science are also the big questions in life. For example, computer science hopes to be able to help answer questions, such as:
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how does thinking work?
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what is consciousness?
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why does my computer crash?
Do I have to be a nerd to be interested in computer science?
Of course not! As stated above, computer science can answer some big questions in life. In addition, computer science is used in a wide variety of disciplines-- Bryn Mawr has offered courses where elements of computer science are used in chemistry, mathematics, physics, psychology,... Even if you don't want to be a hardcore nerd and learn assembly language, your programming skills will make your life much, much easier and increase your job market potential. Computer science also teaches you how to break a task into manageable parts and make it into a cohesive whole... always a good thing to know!
What kind of women major in computer science?
Women who are interested in exploring different ways of thinking about problems. Women who want to play a central role in the information revolution. Women who want to invent, create, and design the next generation of computers, and computing methodology. Women who will help decide what computers should and shouldn't be used for.
What kinds of courses would I need to take?
If you are majoring in Computer Science:
At Bryn Mawr, in your four years of college, only 1/4 of the courses you will take will be in computer science. You will take a set of three courses that focus on learning problem solving using computers. These are typically followed by two courses on the design of computers and computer languages. Beyond these, there are a whole lot of topical elective courses that you can freely choose from, based on your own interests.
Here are some of the topics: Computer Graphics, Digital Multimedia, Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer-related Risks, Compiler Design, Androids: Design & Practice, etc. etc.
If you are minoring in computer science:
Women who are majoring in any discipline at the college can do a minor in computer science. To minor in computer science, you will take a set of three introductory courses, one core computer science course, and three electives of your choosing.
When can I take a computer science course?
As soon as possible!
Seriously, you should try and enroll in CS110 (Introduction to Computing) as soon as you enter Bryn Mawr. Taking the course early will enable you to decide if you want to major or minor in computer science and give you a lot of flexibility in getting the most out of your education at Bryn Mawr. Even if you decide not to major or minor in computer science, you will be satisfying the college's quantitative requirement.
What kinds of projects do you do in CS courses?
Many of the projects we work on in computer science courses address interesting questions that may pop up in other science or humanities courses. For example, while getting an introduction to computer science using the computer language Java (in CS110), you might investigate the balance of an ecological niche by building a simulation of a pond. Or maybe you might investigate the debitage at archaeological site by simulating it. Or maybe deconstruct a Shakespearian play by writing a program to analyze the text.
What could I expect to do when I graduate?
Many CS women go on to graduate school in many different areas. Cognitive science and bioinformatics are two areas directly related to computer science. But some women go on to many other graduate programs, including medical, business, or legal. Some women may choose to go into programming, systems analysis, software design, or team management. CS is really a nice, general, liberal arts degree.
Do you offer computer science as a major at Bryn Mawr, or is it just a minor?
Any student can declare a major in Computer Science. Several students do this each year.
Any student majoring in any discipline can do a minor in computer science. In addition, we now have a new Computational Minor. Stop by and ask us about it.
If a student wants to major in Computer Science, does she have to do so at Haverford? Or is that possible at Bryn Mawr with some classes taken at Haverford?
You can major in CS at Bryn Mawr. Most of the courses can be taken here, but we do cooperate very closely with Haverford College. So, students can also take courses at Haverford. In fact, we encourage students at both places to take courses at the other campus.
Moreover, you can also take courses at Swarthmore College and sometimes, at nearby colleges as well (like Villanova University and University of Pennsylvania).
Do you give any credits for AP Computer Science course?
We address this issue on a personalized basis. You should discuss your AP credit with one of us. Once we know more about the nature of the AP course you took, we can determine what, if any, course(s) you can skip.
Where can I find more information?
Try visiting our website at http://cs.brynmawr.edu/ or sending an email to one of us at http://cs.brynmawr.edu/Faculty.html.
