Computer Science
Abdallah Abu Al Kheir '23
Why did you decide to study computer science?
I chose to study computer science because it is something that I was always fascinated by since my younger years. Furthermore, that passion was further strengthened as more opportunities to help the world in so many various fields became more accessible through this major.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
My favorite class so far has been my Jan Term class Java Applications. Not only has it taught me a different programming language, but it also introduced the opportunity to finally see my code come to life through GUI (graphical user interface). Creating simulations, maps and utility programs through that language has been very challenging but immensely rewarding.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
Because most computer science courses encourage/require you to work on your assignments in teams or pairs, lots of new fun experiences naturally emerge. For example, in my Data Structures class, you go through the entire class's assignments with an assigned partner. My teammate and I were very different people. However, that was less of an obstacle and more of an adventurous learning experience about the different perspectives and approaches on how to solve a problem.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in computer science?
If you are thinking about majoring in computer science, well first off, good choice. Secondly, it is not going to be easy. You'll likely go through sleepless nights trying to figure out a bug or finishing a project. But once you get it, the euphoria and relief, in my opinion, make it worth it.
What's your dream job?
My dream job is to work in a company that works on software to help find cures for devastating diseases, for example, creating simulations on how cancer cells multiply. Instead of spending months waiting on an experiment to get a result, a computer could do it in minutes if not seconds. This is not a new concept, but it's relatively recent and revolutionary.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
An important connection and a very crucial factor to my success here at Whitworth is definitely my advisor, Scott Griffith. I came into Whitworth thinking that I wouldn't be able to make it because I am from a different background, but he reassured me and told me to push through and tell him how it goes after. Lo and behold, he was right and I didn't just make it, I crushed it. Moreover, he continued to offer his support throughout the years and is always very available.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
I chose Whitworth for a lot of reasons. But the main one for me, especially as a computer science major, is that it is a liberal arts school. Whitworth makes sure that you are not limited to only learning how to code stuff and solve bugs. You get to learn about all kinds of fascinating new subjects, which in turn helps the flow of creative juices in one's head and to be more innovative in their problem-solving. But most importantly, the liberal arts nature of Whitworth grants me the vital ability to communicate with people from different fields and understand each other's terminology, which definitely makes work more effective and efficient.
Andrew O'Kins '22
Why did you decide to study computer science?
Growing up, computers and similar devices were largely a mystery to me in how they operated even though it is something nearly everybody uses every day. When playing video games, I wondered what was going on inside that created the experience I was having, which by extension included other applications and tools. I was (and still am) amazed at the vast variety of applications and experiences the technology can bring, and I wanted to know more about how it all works and how I could use it to create something new. After taking a CS class in high school, I found that I enjoyed the subject matter and wished to continue expanding my knowledge and abilities. My time at Whitworth pursuing a CS degree has only further cemented my passion in the area and the desire to continue learning more.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
I've enjoyed all of my CS classes, but my favorite so far at Whitworth I think is a tie between Mobile Application Development and Distributed Scalable Computing. Mobile Application Development was great as a course where we not only learned about some of the concepts and tools in developing an app for smartphone devices, but also worked on creating an app of our own design for most of the semester. This provided extra time to make something more interesting and unique that also drew from our own interests. The course was also where the tools we were learning started to become more applicable to what could be a fully realized product that others could use. Distributed Scalable Computing covered an interesting area of computer science, as we worked on non-serial programming (making programs do multiple things at the same time), along with an interest in creating programs that took advantage of the GPU to perform significantly larger tasks with less time. That course was very interesting as we faced different kinds of challenges with new tools and advanced our ways of approaching problems by taking advantage of the hardware we are using.
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
During summer 2020, I participated in a STEM fellowship where I was part of a team comprised of three other students and two professors. For 10 weeks, we worked together in expanding the capabilities of a program that simulated the trajectory of a rocket-propelled projectile in a solar orbit to hit an asteroid and using the theory behind a genetic algorithm to find how we could alter the trajectory to hit the asteroid with greater speed. It both reinforced what I experienced up to that point as well as taught me new things, which made the experience exciting. Using what I've learned while at Whitworth on productive "real work" that's outside of the classroom made the fellowship also very rewarding as a personal sign of progress with what I've been taught here having tangible value.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in computer science?
Computer science is a lot more than just writing code, which makes it an engaging and rewarding experience if it piques your interest. The degree has a lot to offer with many topics that you can dive deeper into and get better insight out of that will be helpful later. Like many things, the more effort you put in, the more value you get out of it. The challenges you face and overcome are also where you find the most growth. It's an area that is vast and constantly evolving, so there's always new things to see and learn from.
What's your dream job?
My dream job likely fits within the definition of a software engineer or developer, as I wish to have a job where I'm always learning and can create new things with what I know to have an impact on those around me. I thoroughly enjoy the process of having a problem, creating solutions to solve that problem, and implementing them. I also want my job to have an impact on those around me that others can benefit from by creating new tools or ideas that can be used and shared.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
I think the most impactful connection at Whitworth for me has been my advisor for my major. Outside of advising me in planning for future classes to take, I've enjoyed conversations that reflected on all the courses I've taken so far on my track to graduation and figuring out what I want to set out to achieve before and after graduation. It also so happened that he is the advisor for the club that I've been an officer for (Gaming Club), and we have had fun conversations through shared interests.
What is something that has surprised you about your major?
The most surprising thing to me about the computer science major is how much it's both technical and creatively demanding. The study material can be technical, but when working on a project it becomes "OK, how we do we use these tools and our knowledge to solve this problem?" The programming challenges are like figuring out a puzzle or strategy game based on a set of given rules where there may be no absolute "correct" answer to your situation but rather a matter of finding better ones. There's an element of creativity involved as one's own background experiences informs the way they approach and express the solution they've found that makes the project's implementation unique. There's also a natural element of self-motivation to create and improve that is similar to the personal experiences I've had with the arts.
Why did you choose to attend Whitworth?
I chose Whitworth because of the smaller class sizes that allow better community engagement with not just other students but also with faculty. Rather than large lecture halls with distant lecturers, the smaller class sizes allow for more productive group discussions and conversations with the instructors. That kind of experience makes it a richer educational environment and makes learning from the professors more effective.
Nirjal Shakya '23
Why did you decide to study computer science?
Growing up, I often asked myself, "How would a computer solve this problem?" I've always been intrigued at how effectively and efficiently a computer solves problems, which made me want to be a better problem-solver, critical thinker and good communicator. Computer science combined all these aspects with coding. Thus, I decided to study computer science as it allowed me to grow these skills and provided me with opportunities to push myself, learn and grow.
What are some of your favorite classes so far?
I enjoyed taking Assembly Language and Intro to Programming Contests the most. Assembly Language was about learning how to effectively access the memory and efficiently use them. It was interesting to take a step back and code in a low-level language because it helped me understand what exactly happens when we write programs in a high-level language. And I enjoyed Programming Contests because it helped me prepare for the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC).
Tell us about a unique experience or project you've worked on for your major.
For my Assembly Language course, we built an alternative to the irvine32 library for NASM (Net-wide Assembler) for 64bit macOS. It was a unique experience because we developed the library from scratch and developed codes from 32bit Linux OS programs and MASM (Microsoft Macro Assembler). The course felt like a group independent study because we heavily relied on our professors and online resources to solve issues. I experienced a big learning curve working on this project.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about majoring in computer science?
The best advice I can give someone is to trust the learning process rather than focus on the result. I agree that results matter, but the outcome will be good if you focus on streamlining your processes. As a computer science major, be ready to write thousands of lines of code, debug, maybe erase a few lines, run, and repeat the entire process countless times. Sometimes it's demanding, but if you're dedicated, it's worth the time and effort.
What's your dream job?
Computer science covers a vast scope of opportunities. As there are many possibilities, I'm still exploring what I'd want to pursue in the future. As I enjoy solving problems and debugging programs, I'm leaning toward either software engineering or software development for now. However, I'm a firm believer in building the best path for myself based on my experiences. So, I'm looking forward to the learning opportunities so that I can find a suitable field for myself.
Who has been an important connection for you at Whitworth, and why?
I believe my advisor, Dr. Kent Jones, has helped me broaden my perspective about computer science and learn about the possible combinations within the field. I significantly remember when he told me about the relationship between computer science and communication. I learned that good communication skills were vital in asking the right questions and developing accurate software for clients. I'm grateful to Dr. Jones for his support in helping me navigate my journey at Whitworth.