What is computer science?

Most people often equate the study of Computer Science to the study of computer programming. Edsger Dijkstra - one of the pioneers of the Computer Science discipline once said, Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes. The study of Computer Science encompasses much more than programming and involves a variety of topics such as analysis and design of algorithms, formal design techniques, design of programming languages, software engineering, assembly language and computer organization, distributed computing, artificial intelligence and mathematical analysis. Computer scientists study how to efficiently organize, store and retrieve data, how to write efficient programs, probe the limits of algorithmic techniques in designing programs to behave intelligently, develop new applications that benefit society and humankind, design complex software programs and design effective interfaces between programs and humans.  more

Computer Science is the science of computing. Just like Chemistry figures out what chemicals can do, Computer Science figures out what computers can do. And just like chemists create new chemicals, computer scientists create new software to do the things that computers can do. Internet.com's webopedia says that Computer Science is: The study of computers, including both hardware and software design. Computer science is composed of many broad disciplines, including artificial intelligence and software engineering.  more

You can get many different answers depending on who you ask! We consider Computer Science as a multi-disciplinary field that involves understanding how a computer's hardware actually works, how to program that hardware, what capabilities and limitations software and hardware have, and how to use all this knowlege to solve problems or perform tasks. Most CS graduates with a four-year degree get jobs as computer programmers.  more

Students in computer science will begin studying the basic concepts underlying computer science, such as algorithms, software development, and hardware design. Advanced course work will include specialized topics, such as networks, graphics, programming languages, and artificial intelligence. Graduates of the computer science program are contributing to every area in the discipline. Our alumni are employed at both well-known corporations and startups.  more

Computer Science is the systematic study of algorithmic methods for representing and transforming information, including their theory, design, implementation, application, and efficiency. The discipline emerged in the 1950s from the development of computability theory and the invention of the stored-program electronic computer. The roots of computer science extend deeply into mathematics and engineering. Mathematics imparts analysis to the field; engineering imparts design.  more

Computer Science is a broad discipline concerned with the science and technology of information processing. It includes areas such as: • Theory of Computation: what can (and cannot!) be computed, the complexity of problems, models of computation; • Computing Systems: Architectures and devices for implementing computations, including parallel and distributed computation and computer networks; • Applications: Web technology, Artificial Intelligence, Databases, Computer Graphics; • And much, much more...  more

Computer science (CS) spans the range from theory through programming to cutting-edge development of computing solutions. Computer science offers a foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas. The work of computer scientists falls into three categories: a) designing and building software; b) developing effective ways to solve computing problems, such as storing information in databases, sending data over networks or providing new approaches to security problems; and c) devising new and better ways of using computers and addressing particular challenges in areas such as robotics, computer vision, or digital forensics (although these specializations are not available in all computer science programs). Most computer science programs require some mathematical background. Let us consider what is involved in a career path in each area. • Career Path 1: Designing and implementing software. This refers to the work of software development which has grown to ...  more

Computer science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and their implementation and application in computer systems. Computer science has many sub-fields; some emphasize the computation of specific results (such as computer graphics), while others (such as computational complexity theory) relate to properties of computational problems. Still others focus on the challenges in implementing computations. For example, programming language theory studies approaches to describing computations, while computer programming applies specific programming languages to solve specific computational problems. http://en.wikipedia.  more

• Computer science is a discipline that spans theory and practice. It requires thinking both in abstract terms and in concrete terms. The practical side of computing can be seen everywhere. Nowadays, practically everyone is a computer user, and many people are even computer programmers. Getting computers to do what you want them to do requires intensive hands-on experience. But computer science can be seen on a higher level, as a science of problem solving. Computer scientists must be adept at modeling and analyzing problems. They must also be able to design solutions and verify that they are correct. Problem solving requires precision, creativity, and careful reasoning. Computer science also has strong connections to other disciplines. Many problems in science, engineering, health care, business, and other areas can be solved effectively with computers, but finding a solution requires both computer science expertise and knowledge of the particular application domain. Thus, computer ...  more

Computer Science has evolved into a distinct discipline characterized by three basic paradigms (theory, abstraction and design) with fundamental roots in both Mathematics and Engineering. Computer Science is the systematic study of algorithmic processes - their theory, analysis, design, efficiency, implementation and application - that describe and transform information 1. The principle mission of the Trinity University Computer Science Department is to provide a state of the art foundation of principles, skills, knowledge and creativity for the development of liberally educated computer scientists of the highest quality. Students in the Department are among the most highly motivated, intelligent and talented Trinity students. The Computer Science program is designed to provied an appropriate mix of current technology and theory and also challenges its majors to think critically and communicate effectively. A student's experience in this discipline would include a substantial ...  more