PrintShareE-Mail This Page

Computer Science

Major and Minor

Computer science in today's world is broad-based, fast-paced, and crucial to the functioning of everyday life. Computer scientists will be called upon to solve problems in almost every aspect of life. A computer science major at a liberal arts institution combines a firm grounding in the tools of computer science with an appreciation of its connections to other fields.

A liberal arts education gives you the flexibility to deal with the rapid rate of technological change. Knox offers a major in computer science as well as a general minor, which do more than train you to use today's computers -- it educates you, the designer of the next generation of computer technology.

A liberal arts education gives you the flexibility to deal with the rapid rate of technological change.The Program
The computer science major and minor integrate the theoretical and applied aspects of the field through completion of the following:

  • Introductory computer science courses in problem solving, data structures, and programming.
  • Core computer science courses in algorithms, software development, computer organization, information management, operating systems, and networks.
  • Advanced courses such as computer graphics, operating systems, compilers, artificial intelligence, networks, software engineering, computer security.
  • Support courses in areas such as discrete mathematics, digital electronics, and symbolic logic.

The field of computer science is closely allied with mathematics and other sciences, and has important applications in most disciplines. This is reflected in the variety of second majors chosen by computer science students at Knox, which include mathematics, physics, music, art, modern languages, economics, creative writing and international relations.

Resources
Computer science students at Knox have access to the tools and resources necessary to stay up-to-date in the rapidly evolving field, including:

  • Intel quad-processor Xeon departmental server running Linux for computer science classes and research, funded by a grant from the Caterpillar Foundation.
  • A 192-core parallel system for general-purpose graphics card programming.
  • Honors project office for undergraduate research.
  • Student lab with Intel-based iMacs running Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows XP.
  • A reconfigurable "crash and burn" lab for advanced systems and networking classes.

The College's library system is built around the curriculum and offers more than a quarter million books and 687 periodicals, including 35 journals in the field of computer science.

Knox College has both a campus-wide, fiber-optic Ethernet network and a wireless network that link all academic buildings and student residences.

Knox has a number of public and specialty computer laboratories available to students. Read more.

Apply to Knoxundefinedundefined

Academic News

Knox Senior Researches How Campus Squirrels Survive Winter

Like many Knox College students, Steve Galdek is fond of the squirrels wandering around campus. His research project is enabling him to learn more about their winter-survival strategies.

Knox teams show strength at computer programming contest

Knox College scored among the top five liberal arts colleges in its region, in the 2011 Association for Computing Machinery Intercollegiate Programming Contest. Knox sent three teams to the expanding regional competition.

Student Laureate conducts clinical psychology research

Knox College senior Lauren Smith, recipient of a 2011 Student Laureate Award from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, talks about her research, classes and extracurricular activities.

More News

undefined
undefined
Independent Research
Knox on Youtube
Independent Research
 
Zach RickettsI Am KnoxI always loved mowing the back yard. My motivation was so that I could play on it, but I really just loved doing it, so I just kept making it better. I am Zach, Junior, and...
I AM KNOXI am Knox
Meet More Knox People