The goal of this program is for you to learn the concepts and skills that are part of advanced work in computer science with particular applications to biology. This program will explore both theory and practice. In winter quarter, it is designed for advanced level computer science students who have taken lower division CS and are familiar with introductory data structures & algorithms (DSA). In spring quarter, we will welcome continuing CS students, including those from Computer Science Foundations, and all lower division students interested in biology and computation. In particular, we will look at the foundations of machine learning and applications to genetics, robotics, and collaboration with Evergreen’s Principles of Farming program.
This program will explore current themes in computer science. The program covers a selection of topics from machine learning, data structures & algorithms, robotics, data analytics, crop plant identification through computer vision, introductory biology and genetics, bioinformatics, and biology labs. These topics are offered in several 4-credit threads each quarter. We will explore these threads through lectures, programming and biology labs, workshops, and seminars.
In winter, the instructors are Richard Weiss and Carl Toews. A thread in Reinforcement Learning (4 credits) will cover the theory and application of Monte Carlo methods, dynamic programming and temporal difference learning.
Students who would like to take 16 credits of upper division computer science in winter can also take the courses in the Cybersecurity, Python I, Database II, or Web Design certificate courses or work on a project as part of an Independent Learning Contract (ILC) with instructor approval.
In spring, the program will be taught by Catherine Kehl. A thread in Microcontrollers, and Automation (8 credits) will cover robotics from the circuit and component level. The other 4 of these 8 credits for spring will be posted by mid-quarter fall. Students who would like to take 16 credits of upper division computer science in spring can also take the courses in the Cybersecurity, Python II, or Web Design certificate course, work on a project as part of an Independent Learning Contract (ILC), or take an Undergrad Research seminar with instructor approval.
Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:
Winter
*4 - Reinforcement Learning
*4 – Computer Vision
*4 – Data Analytics
Spring (in planning)
*8 - Microcontrollers and Automation
*4 - TBD
Registration
Computer science students are expected to have coursework in discrete math, computer architecture, data structures, and one year of computer programming. These prerequisites are covered by completion of Computer Science Foundations and Data Structures and Algorithms, or equivalent courses elsewhere. Please contact Richard Weiss (weissr@evergreen.edu), Catherine Kehl (catherine.kehl@evergreen.edu), and Paul Pham (paul.pham@evergreen.edu). If you have some but not all of the prerequisites to see if there are parts of the program you can take, or if you are unsure if you meet the prerequisites.
Students should email the faculty member, Paul Pham, with a brief statement describing how they have met the prerequisites.
Academic Details
Computer Science, including software development, Web development, data science, and IT.
All 12 credits of the work in this program are designed to be upper-division math/science. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will earn upper-division credit in computer science.
Schedule
Revisions
| Date | Revision |
|---|---|
| 2025-01-02 | This program has been changed to day & evening (was day only). Students registered for 8 credits will participate in daytime only classes, students registered for 12 will participate in day & evening classes. The program description has been updated. |
| 2024-12-03 | Faculty and description updated. Richard Weiss is now winter quarter only, and Catherine Kehl will be joining the program in spring. |