Department of Computer Sciences
"Today is an exciting time for Computer Science! Advances in computing and digital communication have transformed our world in the last several decades in ways that were once hardly imaginable."
- Computing transcends boundaries---enabling multiple disciplines, connecting diverse peoples and cultures, and globalizing economies and work forces.
- Computer science is closely related to many other disciplines which use computation and a fundamental tool of inquiry.
- There is a tremendous need for experts with the ability to create and maintain innovative computer systems. Our programs teach students to design, implement, and maintain computer systems. Students are provided with a sound theoretical and practical background on computation and computational systems. Our goal is to prepare students for a career.
- The Departments of Computer Science and Mathematical Science and the Division of Biological Science have been awarded a $3.2 million NSF IGERT grant and a $1.5 million Howard Hughes grant to support a new educational programs that will focus on the ecology of infectious diseases. With current concerns about avian flu and global pandemics, West Nile virus, HIV and AIDS, chronic wasting diseases in deer and elk, whirling disease in trout, and brucellosis in bison, the ecology of infectious disease is an emerging field of global and local importance for people and wildlife. The NSF grant supports interdisciplinary Ph.D. students, and the Howard Hughes grants focuses on undergraduate research and teaching.
Graduate Student Dan Lande
Dan Lande
Hometown: Frenchtown, MT
Research Mentor: Changwon Yoo
Research Topic: FIV/HIV using Bayesian Networks
Dan's research focuses on using Bayesian Networks to analyze protein sequences from Human Immune Deficiency/Feline Immune Deficiency (HIV/FIV) infected hosts. This analysis aims to discover unique regions in the protein sequences that may lead to structural differences in the folded protein. These regions can then be further analyzed to investigate the effect they have on the resulting symptoms. Dan is also an active French Horn player, participating in the University Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Missoula Symphony Orchestra, and several chamber groups.
Graduate Student Erin Brimhall
Erin Brimhall
Hometown: Helena, MT
Research Mentor: Yolanda Reimer
Research Topic: Student Information Assimilation
Erin’s research concerns student note taking behavior and their use of electronic information as related to academic tasks. Erin is an invested and active member of the department. In order to accomplish his research Erin interviews students and compiles and analyzes the information gathered. The research is primarily geared towards analyzing the development of an online e-notebook. This will be geared towards assisting students with their various academic tasks. The e-notebook will begin as a simple prototype before becoming a fully functional system.
Undergraduate Student David Short
David Short
Hometown: Corvallis, MT
Research Mentor: Jesse Johnson
Research Topic: Programming
David has had an interest in Computer Science since he was 5, when he used a Macintosh SE/30. At the time Macintosh was the leader in user interface design, and to this day David is keenly interested in that intersection of people and machines. David genuinely likes programming computers, and looks forward to focusing on his interests in his senior year.
Undergraduate Student Tricia Waliser
Tricia Waliser
Hometown: Stevensville, MT
Research Mentor: Mike O’Conner
Research Topic: Web Development
Tricia is working for the DBS/MILES (Montana Integrative Learning Experience for Students). This program is a research grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support undergraduate students in research projects. Tricia designs and updates the website for the program. Tricia also upgrades and maintains the DBS/MEID site and also the Computer Science Department websites. The superior quality of her work is what makes Tricia an outstanding undergraduate student. Tricia is a nontraditional female computer science student. The department would like to recognize her contributions to the department and her commitment to excellence. Tricia is an excellent mentor to female students.
