Majors & Minors

Computer Science

From developing interactive web applications for nonprofit organizations to creating art using artificial intelligence, you’ll learn to apply theory to real-world issues in creative and interdisciplinary ways.

Contact

Barbara Anthony

Barbara Anthony

Professor of Computer Science & Chair

Location

Fondren-Jones 309
Barbara Anthony

Barbara Anthony

Professor of Computer Science & Chair

The Computer Science Department provides an integrated approach to solving complex, open-ended problems—a skill necessary for succeeding in the digital age and beyond. When you major in computer science, you will be empowered to make a positive impact on the world. More than just learning how to code, you will theorize about systems while developing algorithms and gaining hands-on experiences with database management, taking advantage of the power of the cloud.

Beyond taking dynamic courses such as Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research, you can combine your interest in computer science with community engagement or your passion for the arts. Our recent students have

  • Created computer systems that “breed” artistic animations
  • Improved video game play using the generative adversarial network (GAN) machine learning model
  • Partnered with Upward Bound and GirlStart to improve their websites and databases
  • Analyzed users’ sincerity when using meeting scheduling apps, such as Doodle Poll

In addition to designing independent research with faculty, you will have the opportunity to present your work at regional, national, and international conferences and publish coauthored articles in peer-reviewed journals. You will also get support as you participate in national competitions, such as the Association for Computing Machinery’s International Collegiate Programming Contest. By graduation, you will be prepared to succeed in top-tier graduate programs as well as fulfilling careers, from network and test engineering to front- and back-end development.



AFTER SOUTHWESTERN

Featured Alumni Stories

Sarah Friday ’20 and Lord Chair and Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science Fumiko Futamura in SCOPE 2019

Generating Art

Sarah Friday ’20 has published original research on art generated by artificial intelligence while double majoring in the seemingly disparate fields of art and computer science.

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Ben and Michael Patterson ’17

“The Best of Both Worlds”

For student–athletes Ben Patterson ’17 and Michael Patterson ’17, the Southwestern Experience included a foray into entrepreneurship.

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Michael Nguyen ’03

The Many Colors of Michael Nguyen

A Southwestern alum turned patent attorney serves the community as an advocate of LGBTQ rights and livable cities.

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EXPLORE SOUTHWESTERN

Computer Science News

Aidan Balakrishnan

Innovation Takes Center Stage

Student bridges theater and technology to create an automatic spotlight tracker.

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Southwestern Senior Receives the 2023-2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award

Alejandro Medina ’24 demonstrates outstanding potential in computing research by the Computing Research Association.

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Video: Training AI in Minecraft

Learn more about this collaborative student-faculty SCOPE project.

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