What is Computer Science?
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The study of the theoretical foundations of information processing and computation.
How do we take mounds of data and transform it into forms which can be used by people to solve
problems and attain goals?
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Practical techniques for the implementation and application of information processing
in computer systems.
How do we apply that information processing knowledge in computer programs to be used by
people to solve problems and attain goals?
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The systematic study of algorithmic processes that create, describe, and transform information.
An algorithm is an outline of the procedure for solving a problem. This includes:
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The actions which are to be taken
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The order in which the actions are to be performed.
We then must implement algorithms we have developed in computer programs to be used by people
to solve problems and attain goals.
The primary purpose of computer science is to solve problems.
Areas of Computer Science
There are many areas of study in Computer Science. As you take different courses in CS you will explore
these areas. Be alert to things that interest you.
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Computer Graphics – Focuses on advanced mathematical calculations and bit manipulation to
render images. This includes both audio and video and can take you into fields as varied as
criminal investigations to digital animation like you see in practically every movie today.
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Computational Complexity Theory – Studies the properties of computational problems.
This is a more theoretical area and could include everything from "ivory tower" philosophy to
the actual design of microprocessor circuits or the development of the dream of roboticists;
the positronic brain of author Isaac Asimov’s robots.
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Programming Language Theory – Focuses on the challenges of developing languages for
implementing computations. Most people think of writing programs in a programming language
like C++ without considering the fact that someone had to write the programming language.
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Computer Programming – Applies specific programming languages to solve specific
computational problems. This is what most people think of when they hear "Computer Science"
But there is a universe of possibilities.
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Human-computer Interaction – Focuses on the challenges in making computers and computations
useful, usable, and universally accessible to people.
Don’t confuse Computer Science with careers that deal with computers.
Don’t think that it relates to your own experience with computers with things like gaming,
web-browsing, and word-processing. The focus of computer science is more on understanding
the properties of the programs used to implement software such as games and web-browsers,
and using that understanding to create new programs or improve existing ones.