The students are trained to understand and practice the diverse skills that are needed to make a significant contribution to the field of computing. The undergraduate programs in computer science treat a variety of subject areas in computing, such as algorithms, data structures, programming language design, compilers, computer architecture, operating systems, database systems, graphics, artificial intelligence, and parallel computing. Qualified students may choose electives from a wide range of more advanced graduate courses. Students may also work individually with professors on research projects or may volunteer with the systems staff in order to enhance their technical experience. IS students acquire a strong technical foundation along with the ability to analyze information needs, and to plan, design, and develop the computer applications that users want.
Information science is an interdisciplinary field.
Building on these foundations, information science core courses such as database design, telecommunications, human-computer interaction, and information resources management provide a sophisticated understanding of each of these areas and its relationship with the others. A course in empirical research methods for information scientists provides students with the tools to objectively evaluate the usefulness, usability, and impact of information technology. This is followed by a senior seminar where students write and present a research paper based on the field study. The fundamental propose of the dual-major degree programs is to permit students to take the most critical subjects in two undergraduate majors and nevertheless graduate in the standard time frame. The dual majors support interdisciplinary work by providing a framework of core courses in each of two disciplines that is supported by some integrative courses and by the general education requirements of the Arts and Science Bachelor of Science degree.