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Strong student interest and academic achievement, combined
with an increase in departmental resources, have led to the
establishment of computer science as a full-fledged major
at the College.
Since 1999, Holy Cross has offered computer science as a
minor, open to students in any major. Prior to that, students
could take computer science as concentration as part of a
mathematics major. In 2002, Assistant Professor Joseph DeStefano
joined the computer science department, giving the department
the three-faculty-member minimum required for a major field
of study.
A committee, chaired by Assistant Professor Laurie King,
was formed last year to draft the written proposal for the
establishment of the major; the proposal was approved in
the spring of 2004. Most of the courses required for a major
were already in place, but several had to be approved by
the College Curriculum Committee. Computer science majors
must complete a minimum of 10 one-semester courses in computer
science—these include seven required core courses and
at least three additional upper-level electives. In addition,
all majors must complete the equivalent of one semester of
calculus.
In establishing the new major, the committee noted that
an established computer science major is a natural part of
Holy Cross’ liberal arts curriculum: Computer science
majors learn much more than programming—they learn
how computers and computer languages work, what they are
and are not capable of, and the ethical issues surrounding
computer use in society in the 21 st century.
“From its early roots in mathematics, physics, and
electrical engineering, computer science has grown into a
distinct and well-established discipline,” the committee
writes.
Noting the quality of students in the department, the committee
also points out the fact that three of the14 students graduating
with a minor in computer science in 2003 were accepted directly
into graduate programs in this field.
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