Computer Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin and The Turing Scholars Program

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Computer Sciences at The University of Texas at
Austin andThe Turing Scholars Program

• Alan Cline
• June 10, 2003

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What is Computer Science?

• Its not just hacking
• Its the science of computing and computers
• Artificial intelligence, architecture, databases,
  formal methods, graphics, languages, operating
  systems, security, software engineering, theory
• Like any science, CS requires training

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Myths

• Jobs
• Games
• Nerds
• Filter

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UT Computer Sciences

• A top ten CS department
• The others Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, CMU,
  Cornell, Washington, Illinois, Princeton,
  Wisconsin
• A student must travel over 870 miles to get to
  the next closest top ten CS department
• UT-Austin is by far the best value per dollar for
  top students

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UT Computer Sciences

• Committed to undergraduate education  
• 1600 pre-CS and CS majors  
• broad array of elective courses, e.g., graphics,
  artificial intelligence, object-oriented
  programming, robotics, Linux  kernel programming,
  high-performance parallel computing, technical
  commercialization  
• student organizations, e.g., ACM programming team
  3rd in the US  
• Turing Scholars Program

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What Should Outstanding Students Look For in a
College?

• A place to grow and to make lifelong friends
• First rate teachers, facilities, and students
• A top-notch research program

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The Curriculum at a Glance

• Similar degree requirements as the standard
  degree
• Accelerated path through the core courses
• Includes 5 new honors courses
• Honors versions of some upper division courses
• Students will begin independent research in
  junior year

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Curriculum Details
CS313H Logic, Sets and Functions
CS315H Algorithms and Data Structures
CS310H Computer Organization and Programming
CS336H Analysis of Programs
CS337H Theory in Programming Practice
CS321H Functional and Symbolic Programming
CS341H Automata Theory
CS178H Introduction to Research
CS352H Computer Architecture
CS372H Operating Systems
CS345H Programming Languages
CS370 Independent Study
CS379H Undergraduate Research
. . . . . .
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Upper Division
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Program Details

• Size
• Roughly 50 students per incoming class
• 44 students in first class (entered Fall 2002)
• Selection
• Separate application process
• Looking for mathematical ability, motivation,
  leadership skills, and diversity
• http//www.cs.utexas.edu/users/UTCS/undergradoffic
  e/honors/index.html

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The New Deans Scholars Program

• The Honors Program for the College of Natural
  Sciences

• Honors Courses
• Honors Degrees
• http//www.cs.utexas.edu/users/cline/dsbrochure.ht
  ml