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Computer ScienceInformation Session
Troy Vasiga
Fall Open HouseNovember 1, 2014
What is Computer Science?
Let's define it using contradiction.
What ISN'T Computer Science?● Everyday uses of computers
● Games, web surfing, word processing
● Programming (exclusively)
● Popular stereotypes● Jargon● Hacking● Preferring machines to people
What ISN'T Computer Science?
● Computer science is as much about computers as astronomy is about telescopes.
● Edgsder Dijkstra
● My research focuses on what we can't do with computers we don't have.
● Scott Aaronson
What is Computer Science?
● We study...● The fundamental nature of computation
● The power, limits and expressiveness of computers
● Applications of computation to problem solving
Three Kinds of Science
● Computer Science is a deductive science
...like pure mathematics● Computer Science is an experimental science
...like physics or psychology● Computer Science is an engineering discipline
...like architecture
CS as a Deductive Science
● Multiplication is easy:113 x 257 = 29041
● Factoring is hard15 = 3 x 52501 = ?
18446744073709551617 = ?
CS as a Deductive Science
CS as a Experimental Science
CS as a Experimental Science
CS as a Experimental Science
CS as a Experimental Science
● How did I get this text on the screen?
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CS as a Experimental Science
● How did I get this text on the screen?
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CS as a Experimental Science
● How did I get this text on the screen?
● or I might use
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CS as a Experimental Science
● How did I get this text on the screen?
● or I might use
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CS as a Experimental Science
● How did I get this text on the screen?
● or I might use
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CS as a Engineering
Exponential Growth
Why Study Computer Science
● Because it is beautiful
● Because it is challenging and fun
● Because it is full of opportunities
● Because it touches every field
● Because the jobs are great
Interesting Facts
● More than 1 billion PCs in use today
Interesting Facts
● More than 1 billion PCs in use today
...which represents less than 2% of all processors in use
● MP3 player, BluRay, Car, Watch, Cellphone, Webcam, TV, Traffic lights
Why Waterloo?
● You have now become convinced that you would like to take computer science
● Why should you come to Waterloo?
Why Waterloo?
Computer Science Regular or co-opBCFM Co-op OnlyBBA/BCS Co-op OnlySoftware Engineering
Co-op Only
Bachelor of Computer Science
CS Core
time
CS Choice
Math Core Math Choice
Electives
Computational and Financial Management
CS Core
time
CS Choice
Math Core Math Choice
Financial Management Courses
BBA/BCS Double Degree
BCS from Waterloo
time
BBA from WLU
Software Engineering
time
CS and Engineering Courses
CS? CE? SE?
● Computer Science● Computation as an abstract medium for problem solving
● Computer Engineering● Computer as a physical, electronic device
● Software Engineering● Design and management of large software systems
Admission Requirements
● Advanced Functions● Calculus and Vectors● English● one other Grade 12 U course● two other Grade 12 U or M courses
● If applying to Software Engineering, Chemistry and Physics are required
Admission Requirements
● Admission Information Form● Tell us about yourself, outside of the classroom
● Extra-curricular activities in school
● Community service outside of school
● Interesting things about you
Scholarship "Requirements"
● Recommended● Write the Euclid Mathematics Competition in April
● Write the Canadian Computing Competition in February
Admissions Averages
● Computer Science – high 80s● CFM – mid 80s● BBA/BCS – high 80s● SE – low 90s
Once you are here
● You have chosen computer science● You have chosen UWaterloo● You have been admitted● Now what?
Options within and outside of Computer Science
● Software Engineering Option● Business Option● Digital Hardware Option● Major plus a Minor● Joint Major● Double Major
Your First Year
1A 1BAlgebra I Algebra IICalculus I Calculus IIComputer Science I Computer Science IITwo Electives Two Electives
There are regular and advanced versions of all first-year Math and CS courses.
Scheme
(define (f L) (cond [(empty? L) 0] [else (+ (first L) (f (rest L)))]))
(f (list 2 4 5 -3 8 -10))
What can you do with Scheme?● Everything, since it is Turing Complete (see CS 360, 466)
● And really important stuff like
What can you do with Scheme?● Everything, since it is Turing Complete (see CS 360, 466)
● And really important stuff like
Student Life
● Get Involved in Clubs and Activities● Big CSters Mentorship Program● Computer Science Club● Double Degree Club● Math News● Humans vs. Zombies● Math Society● Women in Computer Science Undergraduate Committee
Student Life
● Join a sports team● Varsity teams● Intramural activities● Athletic clubs
Student Life
● Create a start-up● Explore the opportunities with Velocity (residence, fund, garage)
● Use a co-op term to grow your business ideas and receive credit through our Enterprise Co-op (E-Co-op) Program
First-Year Support
● Asking for help is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness
● Undergraduate Advisors● CS/Math Consulting Centre● Tutoring in Residence● Mathematics Undergrad Office● Counselling services
Upper Year CS Courses
● 5 CS courses in second year● 10 CS courses in third year● 32 CS courses in fourth year● With so many courses, we have a very large pool of faculty members in every area of computer science
● Artificial Intelligence, algorithms, bioinformatics, databases, distributed systems, networks, theory, ....
Jobs
● Not just programming● Design● Research● Modelling● Management● Testing● IT
Jobs
● Lots of industries● Entertainment● Finance● Medicine● Communication● Social Media● Education● Startups
Co-op
Co-op Benefits
● Biggest and best co-op program in North America
● Twice as large as the next largest co-op program in the world
● Experience in the workforce before you graduate
● Apply the knowledge you gain at school in the workplace
● Apply the knowledge you gain at work in your courses
● Pay for your education
Final Words
● Join us for Computer Science Meet and Greet● 11:15am -- 12:00pm● M3 1007● Connect with students, faculty and staff to
learn about programs in Computer Science● Light refreshments●
● More information about the CFM program● 11:10am -- 11:40am● M3 3127● Presented by David Ha
Thank you and explore UWaterloo!Troy [email protected]
Heather SteinmetzCS Recruitment [email protected]
David HaCFM Program [email protected]
www.cs.uwaterloo.ca
