Computer and Data Sciences combines technical skills with the liberal arts to hone problem-solving skills that may be used in a wide array of settings. The major in computer science prepares a student for a wide variety of jobs in computer science or the pursuit of a graduate degree. The five courses of the minor build the core skills necessary to use computer applications and data analysis across disciplinary contexts. The integrated majors with mathematical sciences, chemistry and physics deepen these skills while developing specific disciplinary expertise in these sciences. The interdisciplinary computer science major allows a student to craft a personalized approach to computer science, data science and the liberal arts by working with an academic advisor to select a sequence of courses from other disciplines to create innovative combinations of technical skills and liberal arts inquiry. Each integrated major requires students to complete a culminating project applying computer and data sciences to the other discipline; these projects take place in the senior seminar. No student may complete both an integrated computer science major and also complete a major in the associated department (e.g., a student may not major in Physics and Integrated Computer Science-Physics).

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Latest News

Jandelyn Plane

Jan Plane keynote speaker at Google conference about women techmakers

Jan Plane, associate professor of computer science, was the keynote speaker at the workshop “A Deep Dive by EDU Change Makers,” hosted April 27 by […]

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A grant from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium funded two student research projects this year. Christina Othon, associate professor of physics, applied for the grant […]

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Summer fellowship boosted students’ experience in sustainability

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Faculty

Barwick, Brett

Associate Professor of Physics, Harrison E. Farnsworth 1918 Endowed Chair in Physics and Engineering

Colleen Byron

Byron, Colleen

Professor of Chemistry, L. Leone Oyster 1919 Chair in Chemistry

Othon, Christina

Professor of Physics

Plane, Jandelyn Dawn

Associate Professor of Computer Science

Scott, David W.

Associate Professor of Mathematics, Chair of Mathematical Sciences Department

Willoughby, Patrick

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Advising

Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.

As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.

Advising at Ripon

Requirements

Requirements for a major in Computer Science
Total Credits Total Credits for a Computer Science Major: 40 credits
Core Classes MTH 123, 248; CSC 101, 209, 236, 336, 501,
502; 8 additional credits from CSC 259, 260, 371, 411; and 4 credits from MTH 220, 246, 409, CSC
259, 260, 300, 371, 397, 398, 399, 411, 436.
Other Classes to consider The Computer Science Major cannot be completed in
conjunction with any of the other Majors/Minors listed below with the exception of the Data Science
Minor - in which case one additional upper-level course in CSC must be added to minimize the
overlap.

Requirements for a minor in Computer Sciences
Total Credits Total Credits for a Computer Science Minor: 20 credits
Core Courses CSC 101 Introduction to Programming, 209 Object-Oriented Programming, 236 Data Analysis and Visualization, 336 Data Structures and Algorithms
Elective Courses 4 additional credits in CSC

Unique Opportunities

  • Skills in problem-solving, oral presentation writing and critical thinking are introduced and reinforced throughout the five core courses of the minor. Skills then are refined and developed at the upper division.