Oberlin College Computer Science

Calling all Juniors interested in applying for honors next year.  Applications are due March 27, 2017 Meet with your advisor if you have additional questions.

Thinking about honors in Computer Science?  Awesome, read on!

Overview

The honors program provides an opportunity for an in-depth and independent study of a particular topic or problem within Computer Science.  While this program is very demanding, many find it very rewarding as well – honors allows for a deeper understanding of an area of interest, and provides valuable experience in the reading, writing, and presentation of scholarly work.  There are a number of types of possible projects, but most involve either original research in computer Science or the development of an application that makes use of algorithms and techniques from recent papers.  All honors projects include a thorough exploration of the primary literature.

Honors students are required to prepare an honors thesis which includes an introduction to their chosen topic or problem, a thorough summary of relevant research, and a detailed discussion given to the department faculty at the end of the fall semester, followed by a public presentation in the spring.  Finally, honors students take a comprehensive honors exam in the spring, which includes both a written and oral component with an external examiner.

Eligibility

To apply to the honors program, you’ll need to:

• Have a GPA of at least 3.3 both overall and within Computer Science
• Have completed at least two 300-level courses that count towards a Computer Science major prior to your senior year.
• Have at most three courses remaining to complete the Computer Science major by the start of your senior year. (Note that honors does not count as an elective for the major.)
• Be enrolled and on campus for your senior year. (You may not need to be on campus for Winter Term, but you are expected to spend January working on your thesis.)

Keep in mind that these are minimum requirements.  Successful candidates have generally finished or nearly finished their major requirements before their senior year, and usually have a GPA above 3.6.  Students also often spend the summer prior to their senior year doing work related to their project, whether that be on-campus research, an REU program, or independent study.

Please note that even strong applications may be denied due to staffing limitations.

Proposals should be submitted to Department Chair by Monday, March 27, 2017

Bob Geitz, Chairperson of the Computer Science   King 223A    

Congratulations to our students: David Learner,  Anders Cornell, Adam Cooper, and Jakob Cornell!  They received the “Best Security Hack” award from Securable.io at the Kent Hack Enough 2016

Oberlin was represented by 9 students who participated in this event Oct 7-9,2016. They all did a great job!

Computer Science encompasses both the theoretical and the practical aspects of the study of computers and algorithmic processes. Students majoring in computer science at Oberlin are prepared both for further graduate studies in the discipline and also for careers in the industries and businesses that actively recruit computer scientists with a liberal arts background. Computer Science at Oberlin is taught within the context of a liberal arts degree, with emphasis on the lasting principles of the discipline rather than on specific training in particular tools and techniques. The CS Department stresses the fundamentals of computer science while maintaining a highly current and relevant curriculum utilizing state-of-the-art methodologies and tools. More detailed information about the Computer Science major and minor and a complete list of courses can be found in the course catalog.