Studying CS
at DePauw
How to get the most out of your experience being a CS major
at DePauw!
Computer Science is one of the most popular majors at DePauw. After DePauw, many CS graduates have landed job offers from big companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, while others pursued graduate degrees in prestigious institutions, including Stanford University and Washington University,
Timeline
for reference
This timeline applies to a CS major and is for reference only. Re-arrange or replace the courses appropriately according to your needs and interests.
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Note that internship and research opportunities are not only available during summer but also during winter and when classes are in session. Just make sure you research and apply well in advance so as not to miss any opportunity (e.g: start applying for summer internships in the fall - August/September).
Freshman Year
Fall: CSC 121, MATH 123
Spring: CSC 122, allied course
Summer: Internship/Research/Personal project/etc.
Sophomore Year
Fall: CSC 231, CSC 232
Spring: CSC 233, CSC 240
Summer: Internship/Research/Personal project/etc.
Junior Year
Fall: CSC 3xx/4xx
Spring: CSC 3xx/4xx
Summer: Internship*/Research/Personal project/etc.
Senior Year
Fall: CSC 3xx/4xx
Spring: CSC 498
Get Involved On Campus
There are a wide range of on-campus opportunities that can help you gain first-hand experience working on projects and thrive as a CS major.
ITAP
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Information Technology Associate Program
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Only freshmen and sophomores are eligible to apply
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Learn and earn experience while getting paid
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Upperclassmen (called Associates) have exclusive access to a list of various IT on-campus internships from which they can choose and apply
Student organizations
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WiCS (Women in Computer Science) - us!
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ICSA (International Computer Science Association)
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DeRobotics (DePauw Robotics Club)
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DASO (DePauw Actuarial Science Organization)
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Data Science Group
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COSOC (Computing Opportunities for Students of Color)
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You can also join other non-CS clubs that you find interesting and ask to work in roles that are CS-related (building their website for example) if you'd prefer!
Student-faculty research
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Research opportunities are available both during the semester and during breaks
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Ask your CS professors/advisor or go to STEM events on campus to find out what opportunities are available. Most of the times research opportunities are not posted publicly.
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If you find yourself particularly interested in a research topic, you may also propose it to a professor and seek approval from the department
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You don't necessarily have to do research with a CS professor. Other departments (Chem/Math/Physics/etc.) usually need CS students’ help with their research too.
Work Study
DePauw offices sometimes hire students during the semester. These positions, if not associated with ITAP, are usually posted on either Handshake or the bulletin board on e-services. You may also drop by the Hubbard Center in the UB to ask.
Where to find help
Reaching out for help may sometimes be very difficult. Believe it or not, most of the time when you have a question, somebody else may have asked that question already or is having the same question as yours. Be brave to ask questions away so that you can clear your confusion and not miss out on any learning opportunities.
If you need help with ...
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> finding internships or jobs
... reach out to:
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your major advisor
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your CS professors or any CS professors
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Hubbard Center
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Alumni Office
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> classes
... reach out to:
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your CS professor
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your classmates
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TAs and STEM Guides
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Your friends or upperclassmen
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Always feel free to post any questions you may have to the channel #random in our Slack community. Someone from the community may help you out!