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Why Major in Computer Science at Allegheny College

A program focusing on computational theory and the rich interplay between computer hardware and software. Students use scientific and design-centric approaches to solve computational problems and to create and evaluate realistic computer and computer-based systems.

Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Computer Science with:

Division

  • Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Program Type

  • Major
  • Minor

Number of Credits

48 for major24 for minor

 

Where Computer Science Alumni Work Today

Principal Product Marketing Manager

Amazon Web Services

Kimberly Madia ’01

Ph.D. Student

Boston University

Ieona Bagashvili ’22

Software Engineer

ScienceLogic

Christian Lussier ’21

Your Four-Year Journey

Computer Science Overview

Year 1: Understanding

Begin to gain understanding of the basic and practical foundations of computer science. Typically, one or two computer science courses from the introductory module are chosen in the first year. The introductory module emphasizes creative expression through the medium of a programming language, implementing, using, and evaluating the computational structures needed to efficiently store and retrieve digital data, and understanding the abstract structures used to represent discrete objects.

Year 2: New Approaches

In your second year, you will finish the introductory category and engage with the core courses, where you will design, implement, evaluate, and document an algorithmic solution to a problem. Application courses in areas such as data analytics, data management, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, robotics, and web development are available during this year. This is the year to participate in a research project, an internship, or employment as a departmental Technical Leader or Software Developer.

Year 3: Delving Deeper

You’ll continue your core learning and explore your interests via application courses. You will engage in Software Innovation courses, where technical and communication skills needed to design, implement, and publicly release innovative software are honed. You will also take a Junior Seminar course, where you’ll learn to digest research in computing, state and motivate research questions, design and conduct experiments, and collect and organize evidence for evaluating scientific hypotheses.

Year 4: The Comp

Under the guidance of a faculty advisor, you will design your Senior Comp, conduct research, prepare a comprehensive document, and orally defend your work. Computer Science students complete significant projects that often result in the publication of conference and journal papers, the release of free and open-source software, and the creation of publicly available data sets. You’ll also take an advanced course in computer security, operating systems, or distributed systems.

Research and Internships

Allegheny Computer Science Students Learn By Doing

Computer Science students refine their skills with hardware and software from:

  • Becoming an ethics technical leader
  • Enrolling in the Carnegie Mellon 3-2 Program
  • Joining the Cupper Scholars Program
  • Conducting an independent study or summer research
  • Participating in national programming contests
  • Leading research for their Senior Comp

Ethics Technical Leader

Become an ethics technical leader.

Recent Internships

  • Xerox Corporation
  • Print and digital document products and services
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory
  • Aircraft manufacturer
    Platinum Technology
  • Computer software
    Microsoft Corporation
  • Technology company
    TruFit Solutions
  • Computer software
    DigiKnow
  • Digital marketing agency
    Cigital
  • IT security company

Carnegie Mellon 3-2 Program

Allegheny College has an agreement with the Heinz College of Carnegie Mellon University to offer a 3-2 cooperative program.

Students who enroll in this accelerated master’s degree program will complete three years of study at Allegheny College and two years at Carnegie Mellon University. Upon completing this program, the student will receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time than is usually required to earn both degrees.

Cupper Scholars Program

If you’re interested in collaborative research with a faculty member at Allegheny College, join the Cupper Scholars Program. The program provides students with additional mentoring and research opportunities.

Recent Senior Comps

The Senior Comp is the culmination of four years of experience, imagination, and study. It is the moment when you demonstrate what you’ve learned by teaching us something new.

  • GCC – A Lightweight Framework for the Execution of Scientific Workflows with Big Data
  • Using Machine Learning and Sentiment Analysis To Predict the Price of Bitcoin
  • Gator Aid; Unplug the Computer
  • Privacy Analysis on a Web Browser
  • Using Machine Learning To Successfully Predict Stock Price Swings
  • NFL Prediction Tool
  • What Do We Hear When They All Start to Speak?: Real-time Speech Sonification
  • Determining What Batting Statistics have Impacts on Winning Baseball Games

Research Opportunities

Conduct summer research or an independent study. Often projects are created with the intention of open-source use for millions of users to benefit from the application.

Faculty and Staff

Emily Graber

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Stanford University, Computer-Based Music Theory and Acoustics; B.S., University of Michigan, Interdisciplinary Physics; B.M.A. University of Michigan, Violin Performance

Gregory Kapfhammer

Associate Professor

Ph.D., M.S., University of Pittsburgh; B.S., Allegheny College

Frequently Asked Questions About the Computer Science Program

What type of degree is a Computer Science major?

Students who major in Computer Science at Allegheny College will earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

Are there any clubs and activities available for Computer Science students?

Yes, there are multiple campus organizations that can benefit students in the Computer Science major, such as E=MC2. Explore all Allegheny College clubs and organizations.

Program Contact

Janyl Jumadinova

Associate Professor

Email(814) 332-2881