Department of Mathematics and Computer Science: Valparaiso University

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Summer 2007 Research Experiences for Undergraduates

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Math and Computer Science Department
College Experiences for Talented High School Students


	Course Offerings Topics in Computer Programming 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM, Mondays, Fall Semester 2007 Selected Topics in Mathematics Next planned offering: Spring Semester 2008

How to apply

CS 290: Selected Topics Computer Programming
(Fall 2007, 3 credits)

Do you want to know what computers really do and how they affect all of our lives, even in ways that you might never suspect?

This course is designed for motivated, talented high school students who want to know how computers accomplish things. The class will be divided between learning computer programming and seeing how computer experts apply their skills to understanding and solving scientific problems.

About 50% of the course will develop your computer programming skills. In class you will use high level languages with emphasis on hands-on exercises and algorithmic thinking. No prior programming skills are required.

The other half of the course will investigate how computers are used in the sciences, with VU experts letting the students peer &lquo;under the hood&rquo; to gain insight into how professionals in a range of disciplines use computers in their daily work. Typical topics might include: weather and climate forecasting, computer graphics for virtual reality and game development, genome analysis, computer security, and geographic information systems.

No prior programming experience is required!

Benefits of Taking This Course

Earn college credit that can be used at any college or university
Spend time on a college campus
Demystify computers
Find out if your future might involve a high level career in computing
Practice the analytical and algorithmic skills that prepare you for all modern scientific and mathematical disciplines
See for yourself how computer topics in the news are actually accomplished
Learn a powerful new skill

Math 290: Selected Topics in Mathematics
(Spring 2008, 3 credits)

This course, designed especially for motivated high school students wishing to pursue interesting mathematical ideas, covers a wide range of current and significant non-calculus based topics in mathematics. Topics include:

Chaos: the study of dynamically changing systems
Combinatorics: the art of counting, using methods to eliminate the need to list items.
Game Theory: the study of strategic decision-making in presence of competition and uncertainty.
Linear Programming: a tool for optimizing return, given resource constraints.
Number Theory: the study of properties of the positive integers which form the basis for all arithmetic operations.
Topology: the study of geometric properties preserved while stretching and bending the plane.

Benefits of Taking This Course

Earn college credit which is transferable to any college or university in the country.
Spend time on a college campus
Study interesting mathematical ideas
Challenge yourself in a unique way
Improve your mathematical skills for competitions and standardized exams
Meet other students interested in studying mathematics

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASS

Cost: $600.00

This amount is payable only when you have been accepted into the course and a minimum number of students have enrolled. (The usual cost for a VU course is $1500.00).

Academic Qualifications

To be considered for admission to the course, students must:

Have at least sophomore standing in high school
Have completed or be concurrently enrolled in Pre-Calculus, with a mathematics GPA of at least 3.5.
Be currently enrolled in an honors or international baccalaureate program at your high school