The Computer Science program at Vassar integrates the study of important theoretical foundations with the study of powerful scientific methodologies that are central to the field, providing excellent preparation for graduate study in computer science as well as work in the profession. The program provides a solid background for further work in Computer Science. Intensive study of Computer Science in the context of a broad liberal arts education opens up perspectives and opportunities for cross-disciplinary work that are especially relevant in today’s world.

In addition to offering a full program of core computer science courses, Vassar’s Computer Science Department offers a range of courses in areas relevant to the broader liberal arts curriculum, including artificial intelligence, robotics, computational linguistics, graphics and animation, and bioinformatics.

The department houses two computer laboratories containing machines running the Linux operating system. Several on-going research projects within the department offer students the opportunity to work with faculty on real problems both during the academic year and over the summer.

Mike Lowin’08 took First Place in the 2008 Scintilla Forum, held at West Point on May 3, for his presentation on Euterpe: A Dynamic Music Editor. Mike competed against students representing institutions from throughout the Hudson Valley.

Vassar’s Computer Science Department has traditionally done very well at the Scintilla Forums, the first of which was held in 2004. Vassar has participated every year, and took first place in 2004 (Joy Kamunyori) and 2008 (Mike Lowin), second place in 2006 (Jay Johnston), and received an honorable mention in 2007 (Felix Steiny and Andrew Wood).

The project Mike described at Scintilla is a part of his departmental honors thesis, which he will present to the department on Monday, May 12 at 3pm.