Lawrence’s revamped computer science major to begin in fall term

Lawrence University will begin offering a newly configured major in computer science in the fall.

Catherine Kodat, provost and dean of faculty, said the revamped major better aligns with the rapidly changing world and all aspects of life that are now touched by computer technology.

“The increasing importance of computer science in every aspect of our lives is undeniable,” she said. “We’ve heretofore offered students an interdisciplinary major in math and computer science. But the world of computer science, while related to mathematics, has become a world of its own. Our new major will better prepare students to enter that new, expanded world.”

While the school currently offers a mathematics-computer science major, the redesigned major will enhance learning opportunities in data science, software development and other computer programming areas. The mathematics-computer science major will be phased out over the next three years.

The mathematics-computer science major has had a great track record since being introduced in 1984, said Kurt Krebsbach, a professor of computer science in the Department of Mathematics. 

“We have had a remarkable record of achievement in our graduates from the computer science program,” he said, noting recent graduates have landed jobs with Apple, Amazon, Google and other leading tech companies. 

But as the computer science field changes, so does the teaching, Krebsbach said. The retooled computer science major will broaden the offerings, with less emphasis on pure mathematics requirements. It’ll add new instruction in statistics and data science, will provide more flexibility for students pursuing a variety of technology-related fields, and will require more exposure to the increasingly computational side of those emerging disciplines.

The number of students enrolled in computer science classes at Lawrence has more than tripled since 2011, Krebsbach said. 

The revamped computer science major is the latest in a line of new introductions of programs and endowed professorships at Lawrence.

Recent new majors have included global studies, launched in fall 2017, and ethnic studies, introduced in fall 2018.

In addition, a number of endowed professorships have been established, including the Dwight and Marjorie Peterson Professorship in Innovation, the Dennis and Charlot Nelson Singleton Professorship in Cognitive Neuroscience, the Wendy and KK Tse Professorship in East Asian Studies, and the Jean Lampert Woy and J. Richard Woy Professorship in History. Also, the endowed Julie Esch Hurvis Dean for Spiritual and Religious Life was introduced, and this spring comes the endowed Riaz Waraich Dean of Lawrence’s Center for Career, Life and Community Engagement.