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Computer Science

Available as a major or minor

A major in computer science will give you a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of computer science and prepare you for grad school.

As a computer science major at Roanoke, you can gain valuable on-the-job experience through part-time work in the information technology department. Internships with local businesses and government agencies can also provide valuable workplace learning experiences.

student at computer

Curriculum & Courses

Sample Course Offerings

CPSC 150: Scientific Computing  
CPSC 270: Software Engineering & Project Design 
CPSC 370: Data Mining

Computer Science students working on laptops

Student Experiences

“Be bold. Don’t be afraid to do what others tell you is impossible. Find what you love and pursue it no matter what others tell you. Don’t be afraid of being the only woman in a class, meeting or group  —  as the only woman, you have a view that no one else does, and believe it or not, your voice can make more of a difference than you think.”

Maya Shende '16

More Than Meets the Eye

Computer science major Derek LaFever goes beyond real-world learning to the world of augmented reality using the Microsoft Hololens, a wearable holographic computer that superimposes virtual images on real objects.

LaFever is applying this technology to the sport of badminton. An enthusiastic but novice player, LaFever is programming the Hololens to be a high-tech coach. It can track and display metrics such as shuttlecock trajectory or point of impact, feedback that enables LaFever to improve his skills more quickly. "I was always more fascinated with changing the world we already live in rather than making a whole new digital one," LaFever said.

student on athletic court wearing googles

Interest in Space Sparks Idea for Computational Geometry Project

How many measurements does it take to calculate the center of an explosion, such as that from the Big Bang Theory? This was the focus of Christian Moore's computation geometry project, which was accepted for presentation at the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges. In this example, the point from where the measurements are taken – the Earth – is also moving away from the center, making the problem more challenging. "The inspiration for this project came from my general interest in space," said Moore.

His research found that no fewer than four points are needed to solve for the center. "If we could find the center, then mapping out a galaxy would be more reliable," he said.

image of big bang

Learn By Doing

Students compete in RoboCup

Direct To Tech Master's Program

Virginia Tech partnership enables fast track to master's degree

Roanoke College and Virginia Tech have entered a partnership to benefit students in science fields and serve as an engine for economic, workforce and educational development in Virginia. The two agreements allow Roanoke College students to pursue graduate programs at Virginia Tech and facilitate an early transition to graduate school. 

The new Direct to Tech program provides Roanoke College students direct admission into Virginia Tech Master of Engineering programs in either computer science and applications or computer engineering upon graduation from Roanoke College. Direct to Tech is open to all Roanoke College seniors with a 3.0 GPA, regardless of major, who have completed certain required courses. The partnership reduces the timeline for admission and gives students an early transition into the Virginia Tech graduate programs delivered from the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia.

A second agreement between the two schools is an accelerated 4+1 undergraduate/graduate program in computer science or computer engineering at Virginia Tech. Students take courses that apply toward a bachelor’s degree at Roanoke College and an accelerated master’s degree at Virginia Tech. This means students can earn a Bachelor of Science in four years, then complete the master’s with just one additional year at Virginia Tech. This program is open to any Roanoke College computer science major who has earned at least a 3.3 GPA and completed certain courses, including Calculus II, as part of their undergraduate degree.  

Students interested in these opportunities should contact program coordinator Anil Shende, professor of computer science and mathematics at Roanoke College (shende@roanoke.edu or 540-375-2341) or Dannette Gomez Beane, assistant vice provost in enrollment management at Virginia Tech (gomezds@vt.edu or 540-231-5682). 

Careers & Outcomes

Our grads go on to great graduate schools

Logos of graduate schools

Fascination with AI leads to research, then grad school

Faculty

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News

  • Board Game Night

    Open to all. Join us for some board games, card games, RPGs, CCGs & More!

    Date:
    October 3, 2023
    Time:
    6 - 9 p.m.
    Location:

    Life Science 502

    Board Game Nightevent image

Interested in studying computer science at Roanoke College?

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The computer science program prepares you to meet the computational challenges of our modern world. Our computer labs are equipped with a virtual reality environment, dual-boot systems and a heterogeneous computer cluster. 

Our students have gone on to graduate programs at Clemson University, John Hopkins University, the University of Virginia and Wake Forest University. Recent graduates have found jobs as software engineers, technical directors, web developers and game programmers.

We offer both a major and a minor in computer science.