As technology evolves at a rapid pace, so must education. The Whitworth University Computer Science department is excited to announce new degrees for the 2024 academic year, reflecting years of thoughtful dialogues between faculty and students, feedback, and a commitment to inclusivity and interdisciplinary learning. 

Motivation Behind the New Degrees 

Prof. Scott Griffith highlighted that the redesign of the Computer Science curriculum has been a long-term endeavor, requiring collaboration between students, faculty, and the academic community. Prof. Griffith pointed out this isn’t just something that happened this year, but the result of years of thought and conversation. A significant contributor to these changes has been students. For instance, the success of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) majors came from student initiatives, which were then supported by faculty. Similarly, students contributed to shaping a more inclusive curriculum through efforts in the CS Ethics course, emphasizing justice and accessibility. Furthermore, the faculty’s dedication to continuous learning in areas such as anti-racism and community engagement are also infused into the new degrees. “We’re constantly looking for ways to incorporate these important concepts into our teaching,” Prof. Griffith says, highlighting the diverse perspectives within the department. 

Overview of New Degrees 

The most notable changes include the introduction of the Computer Science, Interdisciplinary B.A. and a comprehensive overhaul of the Computer Science B.S. While existing majors like Bioinformatics and HCI remain stable with very few changes, the new offerings emphasize interdisciplinary integration. 

– Computer Science, Interdisciplinary B.A 

This program allows students to blend computer science with another field, requiring them to complete 9 upper-division credits outside Math/CS. This structure encourages exploration of dual interests, such as combining Communications with Computer Science. Courses like CS-250: Digital Humanities and CS-350: Applied Digital Humanities facilitate this integration. 

– Redesigned Computer Science B.S. 

This degree aims to provide a strong foundation in theory, practice, and vocational skills. New courses like CS-314: Serving Humanity with Computing emphasize community engagement, while CS-363: Algorithms and Complexity aligns better with internship readiness. Additionally, the revamped degree structure offers greater flexibility in electives, enabling students to customize their educational paths. 

Envisioned future with new Computer Science Degrees 

Prof. Griffith is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of the new Interdisciplinary B.A. “This space is unique to Whitworth and reflects our Liberal Arts identity,” he said. He envisions students creatively combining computer science with other disciplines, enhancing their educational experiences and enriching the campus community. For the B.S. program, the flexible curriculum is designed to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies like AI and quantum computing. This adaptability ensures that students are well-equipped to face future challenges in the tech industry. 

The new Computer Science degrees represent a forward-thinking approach to education, blending student input with faculty expertise to create a curriculum that is relevant and responsive to today’s needs. As these changes take effect, the department looks forward to nurturing a new generation of computer scientists who are not only technically skilled but also socially aware and interdisciplinary in their approach. Whitworth Computer Science faculty invites anyone interested in these developments to engage in further conversation, reinforcing the department’s commitment to collaboration and innovation, while the requirements are presented on the catalogue.