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: 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: 14
Prerequisites: Completion of Integrated Math 2
Open to students in the following grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Fall 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
Prerequisites:
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Fall Semester
Ecological Economics is an Honors 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.
This course is cross-listed with History and Social Sciences.
Instructor: Department Staff
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in calculus (any level)
Open to students in the following grades: 11, 12
Spring Semester
The Machine Learning and ‘AI’ course will introduce a student to the techniques of machine learning with a particular focus on large language models, computer vision and generative systems. From the security on our phones and computers to the search engines we use and the prosaic systems that collect tolls on highways, Machine Learning, and recently Deep Learning, are pervasive in our daily lives.
Using the Computational Design Studio in The Center for Innovation and Design, students will explore the fundamental mathematics and techniques of these explosive fields. No previous programming experience is necessary but students should be prepared to encounter complex mathematical concepts.
This course is offered at the Honors level.
Instructor: Department Staff
Enrollment limited to: 14
Prerequisites: Completion of Integrated Math 2 and CGI Animation 1
Open to students in the following grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Spring Semester
Continuing on from CGI Animation 1, this course explores more complex character rigging, facial animation and live action compositing using the CID video studio. Students will collaborate as a single production team and develop experience in a formal animation pipeline/work flow. The culmination of the semester will be a class produced short animation that incorporates live and computer animated action.
Language Used: Blender
This course is cross-listed with Art and Design.