Computer Science Department

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Asai Asaithambi, Chairperson
202 Arts & Sciences
(605) 677-5388
csci@usd.edu 

FACULTY:

Professors:

Asai Asaithambi, Numerical Analysis, Artificial Intelligence
David Struckman-Johnson, Programming Languages, Human Computer Interaction

Associate Professors:

Douglas Goodman, Simulation, Real-time Systems, Graphics
Richard McBride, Artificial Intelligence, Operating Systems, Networking
Robert W. Wood, Database, Software Design, Web Technologies

Assistant Professors:

Yunkai Liu, Graph Algorithms, Bioinformatics
Kai Wang, High Performance Computing, Computational Methods, Bio-Computing

Research Assistant Professor:

Carol Lushbough, Bioinformatics, Programming Languages, Software Engineering

Instructors:

Joe Reynoldson, Systems Management, Web Technologies
Douglas Jennewein, Research Analyst, Linux, Computer Security, Programming Languages
Brent Anderson, Research Analyst, Software Engineering, Web Development

MAJOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE, B.A., B.S.
MINOR: COMPUTER SCIENCE

The Bachelor’s degree programs in Computer Science have been designed with the following educational objectives for students:

1. Become competent software developers, understand how computer software and hardware work, and understand and apply computer science theory;
2. (for the B.A. degree) Obtain a broad-based liberal arts education, while being prepared adequately in science, mathematics, and computer science; this could involve, for example, learning a foreign language or receiving a minor in a social science discipline;
3. (for the B.S. degree) Obtain the strongest mathematical and scientific background needed to compete for technically oriented computer science jobs at both the regional and national levels in business, science, government, and industry;
4. Be able to communicate technical subject matter effectively both orally and in writing in the workplace with colleagues, clients, and customers;
5. Be prepared to engage in lifelong learning by exploring new principles and practices in computing as the field advances;
6. Become familiar with social and ethical issues that arise from the increased use of technology in the society.

The Department of Computer Science maintains its computational facilities, classrooms, student laboratories, and the Computer Science Research Lab, in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS). The departmental facilities include a series of Unix, Linux, and Windows servers, all integrated into a single network. Students can access the network 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using a single userid and password to gain access to all network resources. All students are given accounts that provide network storage, email, and the ability to build their own web pages. We are a long time participant in the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance, various academic initiatives with Sun Microsystems, as well as the IBM Academic Initiative.

Note: For a Computer Science Course to be counted toward fulfilling requirements for the major degree or minor, a grade of “C” or higher is required. Wherever a Computer Science course indicates prerequisites, a grade of “C” or higher in a prerequisite course is required. The department will not grant CSC credits for any job-related training without associated course descriptions, detailed syllabi, and assessment documentation, along with an academic transcript showing the grade that the student received.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Amy Fix Scholarship (available to junior computer science majors)
John A. Lushbough Scholarship (available to junior computer science majors)
Warner Family Scholarship (available to first-year, sophomore, and junior computer science majors)
Marjorie C. J. Lifto Amundson Scholarship (available to sophomore or junior computer science majors)
CSEMS Scholarship Program (available for students majoring in computer science) (for Fall 2007)
Dr. Marjorie H. Beaty Scholarship (available to computer science or math majors)

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