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About the Major

The question at the root of computer science is: What can be automated? Hamilton students explore that question through hands-on courses and research. Focusing on both the experimental and theoretical sides of computer science, they also consider the growing place computing has in the modern world. What are the ethical and social risks and benefits of such technology, and how do we manage them?

Students Will Learn To:

  • Apply core principles of program execution by developing an assembler
  • Demonstrate knowledge of programming language environments by implementing an interpreter
  • Solve a given problem by writing an efficient algorithm that uses an appropriate data structure, analyzing its running time, and demonstrating that their algorithm works
  • Demonstrate their mastery of appropriate programming constructs in written code

A Sampling of Courses

computer science lab

Computer Science for All

The first course in computer science is an introduction to algorithmic problem-solving using the Python programming language. Topics include primitive data types, mathematical operations, structured programming with conditional and iterative idioms, functional abstraction, and objects. Students apply these skills in writing programs to solve problems in domains across the liberal arts. No previous programming experience necessary.

Explore these select courses:

Meet Our Faculty

Thomas Helmuth ’09

Acting Chair, Associate Professor of Computer Science

thelmuth@hamilton.edu

genetic programming; evolutionary computation; program synthesis from examples; artificial intelligence; functional programming

Mark Bailey

Chair, the Robert and Pamela (Craig) Delaney Professor of Computer Science

mbailey@hamilton.edu

the boundary between hardware and software, including program optimization, embedded systems, computer architecture and computer security

Shawn Chen

Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science

schen3@hamilton.edu

Deep learning, computational biology, bioinformatics

Karyn Doke

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

kdoke@hamilton.edu

Wireless networks for rural areas; spectrum sensing and analytics; spectrum sharing and coexistence

Han Dong

Visiting Assistant Professor of Computer Science

hdong@hamilton.edu

Sarah Morrison-Smith

Assistant Professor of Computer Science

smorriso@hamilton.edu

computer science; human-computer interaction; accessibility; computer-supported cooperative work; gestural interactions; human subjects research

Darren Strash

Associate Professor of Computer Science

dstrash@hamilton.edu

Algorithms and data structures, computational geometry, graph theory, and discrete mathematics

Careers After Hamilton

Hamilton graduates who concentrated in computer science are pursuing careers in a variety of fields, including:

  • Emergency Preparedness Officer, International Atomic Energy Agency
  • Senior Technical Program Manager, amazon.com
  • Vice President, Goldman Sachs
  • Engineering Project Manager, Apple Computer
  • Director of Global Relationship Management, International Lawyers Network
  • Aviator, U.S. Marine Corps
  • Product Manager, YouTube, Google
  • Elearning & Multimedia Developer, Coca-Cola
  • Software Engineer, Monster.com

Explore Hamilton Stories

Charlotte Whiting (left), Thomas Meyers, Chief of EMS (center left), Sydney Tran (center right), and Madison Monroe (right) review their presentation on data organization for the Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Comp. Sci. Seniors Lend Expertise to Area Nonprofits

Core to Hamilton’s computer science curriculum is the senior project where seniors offer their expertise to local projects, often supporting faculty. This fall, Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sarah Morrison-Smith decided to incorporate ethics and social good into her seminar by having students work with area nonprofits.

AI theatre

AI as Storyteller

The existential themes of love, death, and time were explored in the AI-scripted and human-performed musical production Channelers, an interdisciplinary art project funded by the Dietrich Inchworm Grant and headed by Assistant Professor of Digital Arts Anna Huff.

Sarah Morrison-Smith

Morrison-Smith Gives “Expert Advice”

Assistant Professor of Computer Science Sarah Morrison-Smith was recently featured in the “Expert Advice” column on TechGuide.

Contact

Department Name

Computer Science Department

Contact Name

Thomas Helmuth, Acting Chair

Office Location
198 College Hill Road
Clinton, NY 13323

Help us provide an accessible education, offer innovative resources and programs, and foster intellectual exploration.