Computer Science

Chairperson: Paul De Palma
Professors: P. De Palma, K. Yerion
Associate Professors: D. Hughes, C. Smith
Assistant Professor: P. Crowley

The computer science program at Gonzaga University is built upon a foundation of mathematics, natural science, intensive programming, computer architecture, and the liberal arts. The program offers a B.S. in Computer Science, achieved through a broad range of advanced computer science topics. All seniors participate in either a large software engineering or group research project, completed under the guidance of a faculty member and a project sponsor.

Faculty research interests include remote sensor networks, robotics, genetic algorithms, computational linguistics, mathematical modeling, and scientific data management. Select students can participate in these and other projects through the Gonzaga University Center for Evolutionary Algorithms, the Intel Corporation Computational Sciences Laboratory, the Sensor Networks and Robotics Laboratory or directly with a faculty mentor. Students are encouraged to pursue summer research or internships. Many of our students secure summer research funding through the National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates program. Others intern in the computer industry, some with companies that regularly work with our department.

The department has several laboratories and a multiuser Linux server. The laboratories include a microcomputer lab with machines running Linux and Windows, a lab used in the senior software engineering and group research, a sensor networks and robotics lab, and a computer cluster composed of 512 Intel quad and dual core blade servers. All computer labs on campus, as well as the dormitory rooms, are connected to the campus-wide network and from there to the Internet. The department also sponsors a student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, the world’s oldest and largest organization of computer scientists.

B.S. in Computer Science: 128 credits

IV. Computer Science Core: 49 credits

In addition to the University Core requirements, the Department of Computer Science requires that its students take courses in history, fine arts, social science, foreign culture, and social justice.

1. a. History (6 credits): HIST 101 and either HIST 102 or HIST 112 in their first year. If they are unable to complete all six 100-level HIST credits in their first year, HIST 201 or HIST 202 may be substituted for one 100-level course after the first year.
2. b. Fine Arts (3 credits): one course in either VART, MUSC, or THEA from courses approved by Dean of Arts and Sciences.
3. c. Literature (3 credits): one British or American literature course (ENGL 201 - ENGL 285).
4. d. Social Science (6 credits): CRIM 101, ECON, SOCI, POLS, or PSYC: two courses from these departments.
5. e. Foreign Language or Culture (3 credits): one course in any foreign language (classical or modern) or one (foreign culture) course approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Foreign-language speaking students from foreign cultures who have completed the nine English core credits at Gonzaga prior to their fourth year (last thirty credits) may petition the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences for a waiver of the foreign language or culture requirement.
6. f. Social Justice (3 credits): One course on Social Justice issues related to experiences of difference (like race, class, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation), from courses approved by the Dean of Arts & Sciences; (may be combined with other core or major requirements).