Computer Science is the study of how to formulate problems for solution by Computer. Computer Scientists are mostly concerned with algorithms and software rather than computer hardware design, which tends to be classified in the field of Computer Engineering. (Of course there is a fair amount of overlap between the two disciplines.) Even with this restriction Computer Science is an extremely broad and rapidly evolving discipline. Computers have become increasingly important in all aspects of society and new applications of Computer Science have arisen to reflect this importance. A web search on the term "computational" will reveal that almost every academic discipline can be prefixed by that magic word. From Biology, Economics and Linguistics through Medicine, Engineering and Physics the cutting edge is increasingly defined as the edge that borders on Computer Science.
Computer Science was born roughly 60 years ago largely out of the intensive code breaking efforts of World War II. The first true computers were giant vacuum tube monsters with names like ENIAC and EDSAC. These machines owe their existence in large part to Alan Turing and John von Neumann who developed the idea of storing instructions on a computer along with the data: the hallmark of a modern programmable computer. Since that time computer components have gotten faster, smaller and cheaper by many orders of magnitude and computers themselves have evolved into complex multilayered entities. As might be expected the field of Computer Science has also evolved and now comprises many sub disciplines ranging from the practical to the highly theoretical. Among these you will often find the following:
New applications of Computer Science have spawned a host of hybrid disciplines that broaden the reach of Computer Science as well as the career paths open to students of Computer Science. Some of the "hot" new disciplines:
Needless to say Computer Science also has a more practical side that appeals to those who like to solve problems in the world of the present. Some of the current applications of Computer Science include:
A full presentation of these topics is beyond the scope of this overview but a wealth of information can be found on the web should you take an interest in any one of them. Or contact instructor Jon Traugott for further information.