FAQ

Do Wheaton Computer Science majors get jobs?

You think?! Evidence: In a recent year, 100% of our graduates had jobs in hand before the graduation ceremony. Consistently, all of our graduates land jobs. Computer Science + the Liberal Arts is a working combination!

What makes Wheaton’s Computer Science program unique?

Good question! Our strengths include small class sizes with high levels of professor-student interaction, opportunities to create Independent Study courses (see below), an emphasis on technical writing and oral presentation skills, strong connections with other disciplines, and many opportunities for students to be involved in active research. In addition, we have a very progressive suite of courses, including experimental courses like “Startup 1.0: Machine Learning” where Computer Science and Business students worked together to design and pitch new tech products.

Do I need to have taken computer classes before coming to Wheaton?

Absolutely not! One of the biggest misconceptions about Computer Science is that you need to have experience from high school in order to start in college; on the contrary, our first Computer Science course, offered every semester, does not assume previous programming experience. What does help is a background in studies that stress:

  • creativity
  • problem-solving
  • the ability to express ideas and concepts

Courses that would “fit the bill” include a background of three to four years of high school Mathematics (up to but not necessarily including Calculus) and a rich background in Science. Statistics is also very cool!

I understand many Computer Science majors at Wheaton take an Independent Study. What is an Independent Study, and what types of Independent Studies do students take?

An Independent Study (course number COMP 399) or Independent Research (Comp 499) is a course between one or more professors and one to three students. As the title suggests, Independent Studies require students to assume a greater responsibility for a review of the literature and planning. Rather than meeting in the classroom, the students often meet with a professor in their office and work together at the white board on the current set of issues. The intent is to emulate a professional working climate. Here is a sample of recent Independent Studies that students have pursued: Machine Learning, Game Development and Design in Unity, Software Development, Overhanging Terrain Representations, Cryto-currency, Playing with Raspberry Pi, Parallel Programming, iPhone Programming, Experiments in Gene Regulation, GIS Visualization, Systems Engineering in Genomics, Java and Security, Neural Networks, Web Programming and E-Commerce, and System Administration. Computer Science graduates take great advantage of this opportunity to work closely with their professors.

What is the typical class size?

Wheaton classes in general have a 11:1 student:faculty ratio. Computer Science classes are typically in the range of eight to twenty students per class. Translation: your professors know you, your current successes and problems, and how best to move you to the next level.

Do you have teaching assistants?

Yes, and they help in courses and labs in many ways, although they do not lecture as would graduate students in a large university. Typically, three to five upper-class computer science majors a year are paid to work as teaching and lab assistants, computer museum curator, and system administrators. For example, upper-level students often attend first and second year labs to aid the professor in giving individual help to the beginning students. These assistants are also available for tutoring help through the Collaborative Learning Center.

What are the major’s requirements?

See Computer Science major and minor information.

Can I minor in Computer Science at Wheaton?

But of course! Wheaton is proud of our liberal arts strengths and Computer Science is closely connected to the Sciences, Humanities, and Social Science disciplines.

What if I am not planning to major or minor in Computer Science; should I still take a course or two?

In short, yes! Consider how you will convince a potential employer how you are different than the applicants represented by the pile of resumes on the desk. Everyone is a computer user, yet few truly understand the nature of the software that makes computers do what they do. Even if you are not hired as a programmer, you will almost certainly work with programmers or their products in your career, and thus a semester or two of exposure to computing can make all the difference in getting hired. An ability to “script,” (to “program,” to “code”) makes you an asset in interdisciplinary groups that increasingly rely on computing to retrieve and analyze the information that is needed. In many of the Sciences and areas of Data Science, it is inevitable that writing small programs yourself will be part of your job; and while you could learn the skills you need as you go, learning the discipline from a perspective of good design and careful planning will help to ensure that what you write will be better-designed, more reliable, and easier to maintain.

Would this major be good for me if I want to study web design?

That depends. If you want to be a graphics designer, then a focus on the Visual Arts may be a more appropriate choice, possibly coupled with a Computer Science minor. Wheaton also has majors in Design as well as Film and New Media. However, if you want to be a force behind the software that drives highly interactive sites, then a deep knowledge of computing systems and the know-how of writing software is what you will need. In that case, a major in Computer Science would be a wise move, possibly with a Design minor? Note also that Wheaton allows students to craft their own majors, and a few students have recently crafted ‘Art-Computer Science’ majors that combine their passion for graphical design and programming.

What programming languages do you teach?

Our initial course uses Python (v3.x). The next two courses are in C++. Subsequent courses cover other languages.

What type of research/internship opportunities are there?

Wheaton has an excellent center, the Filene Center’s Career Services, to help students find internships. Each faculty member also has an active research program and students are regularly paid to work during the summers, January break, and/or during the semester. You can learn more about potential research opportunities in the fields of:

What do students usually do when they graduate?

The majority of graduates are working in various aspects of the field as software engineers and other systems-related positions. Graduates have left for jobs at Apple, Microsoft, Raytheon, Mitre, Yahoo, Amazon, and various start-ups. A number of our recent graduates have completed or are presently working on their Ph.D.s in Computer Science and others currently in industry are applying to graduate programs. Two graduates recently finished their Ph.D.s and are professors.

Check out:   Benefits of a CS degree.