St. Olaf’s Computer Science (CS) curriculum offers a breadth-first introduction to CS and develops the analytical thinking skills needed for later courses. Starting with the first course, the program emphasizes a hands-on approach to teaching, where students learn intellectual concepts through concrete exercises. The courses span national expectations for CS curricula, and the CS program embraces its liberal arts context in the organization of its major, its emphasis on teamwork and communication skills, its involvement in interdisciplinary projects, and its distinctive, integrated interest in ethical issues in software design.
Whether you major in CS or simply take a course or two, you will gain the thinking skills, ethical analysis, empowering concepts and learning experiences that will prepare you to make lifelong contributions to the 21st century world.