Department Chair
Paul Fisher
The Computational and Information Sciences Department offers a multi-disciplinary course of study that explores the application of computer programming, modeling and simulation to real world problem solving. There is a particular emphasis on information visualization and media creation. Throughout the course of study, topics range from computer graphics, 3D animation and computer music to environmental modeling, information theory and complex adaptive systems analysis.
The Department offers a core sequence of two courses in computer science that is roughly equivalent to the first year of a college computer science major and a course in scientific computing. This core sequence is expanded with a selection of courses in applied computational science covering such topics as complex systems and chaos theory, machine learning and aerospace engineering.
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 12
Prerequisites: Completion of Integrated Math 1 or departmental recommendation
Open to students in the following grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Full Year Course
Computer Arts and Sciences (CASci) 1 is an appropriate course for students interested in improving their problem solving skills. This course is intended not only for students contemplating a career in computer science but also for those with general curiosity. No previous programming or extensive computer experience is needed. CASci1 uses the Scheme programming language and is broadly similar to the CS 1 course at colleges like Northeastern, Brown and WPI but at a more appropriate pace.
Student assessment is based on a portfolio of work developed throughout the year and a series of “Mastery Challenges” designed to provide a scope for creativity.
Language used: Scheme
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 12
Prerequisites: Computer Science 1 or permission of the instructor
Open to students in the following grades: 10, 11, 12
Full Year Course
This course continues the problem solving focus of CASci 1 and utilizes the Java language to introduce the student to object oriented analysis and design. There is a particular emphasis on 3D graphics and animation using OpenGL. CASci 2 is broadly equivalent to a college CS2 course on data structures and algorithms.
Student assessment is based on a portfolio of work developed throughout the year and a series of “Mastery Challenges” designed to provide a scope for creativity.
Language used: Java
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 12
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in Calculus or departmental recommendation
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Full Year Course
This multi-disciplinary course focuses on the application of modeling and simulation principles to complex systems such as a biological organism, an ecological system, the economy, or social dynamics. The subject is interdisciplinary with foundations in mathematics, nonlinear science, numerical simulations, statistics and chaos theory.
While this course does not require previous programming experience, it does presume the student is prepared and motivated to engage with a high level of mathematical abstraction applied to complex and ambiguous problems.
This course is an Advanced Study course and taught at a college level.
Language Used: MatLAB, NetLogo and STELLA
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 12
Prerequisites: Pre Calculus Honors or concurrent enrollment or permission of instructor
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Full Year Course
This rigorous honors elective is a multi-disciplinary course that combines planetary science, physics, astrodynamics and systems engineering in a collaborative design environment. Students will be actively involved in the planning and completion of original science research utilizing high resolution and multispectral data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey spacecraft, various Mars rovers and other planetary missions (Magellan, Galileo, Cassini).
Based on their research experience, students will then design an original mission concept for an interplanetary mission to a solar system object. Students will explore NASA and industry standard design and systems engineering methods.
Language Used: MATLab, STK, ANSYS
Instructor: Department Staff
Prerequisites:
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Fall Semester
Ecological Economics is a semester elective in ecological economics, environmental ethics and justice, policy studies and design. Using a sequence of expanding case studies, students will explore the craft of designing effective and ethical policy choices to respond to real world environmental challenges grounded in the reality of finite resources and planetary limits.
Ecological Economics is an Earned Honors course.
This course is cross-listed with History and Social Sciences.
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 14
Prerequisites: Completion of Integrated Math 2
Open to students in the following grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Spring Semester
Using the Blender animation environment, this course introduces the foundations of computer-generated image, or CGI, animation. Students will learn the fundamentals of 3D character creation, rigging and animation. The culmination of the semester will be individual student scripted, animated and rendered scenes.
Language Used: Blender
This course is cross-listed with Art and Design.
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 4
Prerequisites: Completion of CASci 2 with grade of B or better and permission of instructor
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Offered in the Fall and in the Spring
CASci Studio (H) is a semester elective that allows advanced students to undertake a significant programming project. The course runs in an independent study mode and is structured to allow small groups of students to collaborate or work independently. Students must present an outline for a proposed project for consideration for acceptance into the course. Students may repeat CASci Studio to get a full year experience if desired. Students may proposed in a wide range of programming languages