CCIS launches six new combined majors programs with CSSH, CAMD
By Shandana Mufti
As college students increasingly seek out interdisciplinary programs and work to master the technical skills demanded by so many industries today, CCIS has announced five new combined major programs that will give arts and humanities students the opportunity to earn computer science credentials.
“A lot of incoming students are very interested in combining computer science with a less technical subject such as criminal justice or history,” Jessica Biron, assistant director of undergraduate programs, says. “It was all about working with departments to find some good connections between things that on the surface look like they don’t go together, but really have a lot of interesting intersections.”
Five programs blending computer science with criminal justice, English, history, sociology and philosophy were created in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. The interactive media major offered by the College of Arts, Media and Design and CCIS has been revamped and is now computer science and design. These efforts are an expansion of CCIS’ interdisciplinary approach to computer science and build on the momentum of the CCIS Meaningful Minors program launched earlier this year, which made it easier for students to complete minors in computer science.
“Double majoring is really hard,” Biron says. “You have to fulfill every single requirement, plus our students want to do two to three co-ops and potentially study abroad. It’s hard to fit that all in without extending time to degree.” Combined majors solve that problem, giving students the best two colleges have to offer.
CS and Criminal Justice (CSSH)
The CS and Criminal Justice combined degree offers a strong programming foundation coupled with academic and experiential knowledge of the criminal justice system. You’ll learn the principles, practices, and responsibilities of criminal justice professionals alongside the computer science skills necessary for practical applications in the field.
CS and English (CSSH)
The CS and English combined major focuses on the increasingly interdisciplinary processes of creating, interpreting, and analyzing texts and programs. You’ll combine communication and critical judgment, gaining the creativity and adaptability necessary to use technology in literary studies and apply humanities skills to solve programming problems.
CS and History (CSSH)
The CS and History combined major offers students the opportunity to gain historical knowledge and a broad range of related analytical skills in both the humanities and computer science. You’ll define a history course cluster according to a thematic principle, with a focus on quantitative analysis in the field to complement your foundation in programming.
CS and Philosophy (CSSH)
The CS and Philosophy combined major provides a fluency in formal logic, including logical proofs and the ability to represent arguments clearly and evaluate them for cogency. You’ll find that logic plays a fundamental role in computer science as you experience an in-depth programming foundation.
CS and Sociology (CSSH)
The social aspects of computing continue to grow, especially in communication and the internet. The CS and Sociology combined major explored how people communicate and share culture. You’ll gain a solid programming foundation as well as the practical and theoretical skills needed to address the complex social and cultural issues in a period of far-reaching social change.
CS and Design (CAMD)
The combined major in CS and Design integrates fundamental design courses with a strong programming foundation. You’ll declare a concentration in Interaction Design, Graphic and Information Design, or Experience Design. Students in this major often have an interest in human-centered design methods used in developing digital interfaces and applications.