Computer science class combines faith, math
Do some events really happen at random, or is there a greater plan? Is the future of the world that we live in already determined, or not?
These are some of the questions students try to tackle in a special topics course in the Computer Science Department, titled CSC 395 ST: Faith Issues in Mathematics and Computer Science.
“I wanted students to hear about issues in math and computer science where faith and a Judeo-Christian view are paramount,” said Dr. Richard Leipold, chair of the mathematics, computer science and physics department. “It involves some of the ‘big’ questions in these fields of study.”
Among the questions that are covered in the course is whether computers can simulate life or if a computer can become intelligent like a human. The class is only available for students in the mathematics, computer science and engineering fields. But, this course can be taken for a multitude of reasons.
“I took the course because I needed a CSC [computer science] course for my computer science minor,” said senior Ray Melone. “I also really enjoy Dr. Leipold’s classes and I really like the class too.”
The course uses different textbooks, including a book by Donald Knuth entitled, “Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About.” The book explores how Knuth’s relationship between his vocation and faith has helped him.
A normal class begins with an introduction of a topic, and from there the class becomes discussion-based.
“We start the class with a broad topic and it can end up wherever we want it to,” said sophomore computer science major Ashley Farber. “Sometimes we all agree and sometimes we all disagree. It’s cool to just be able to see all opinions of a topic.”
The class has also had other professors visit to add further information on different topics. Dr. James Bush, professor of mathematics, came into one class and talked about randomness and probability. Dr. Lloyd Aultman-Moore, a philosophy professor, came into a class and spoke on the nature of humanity and intelligence.
All university departments offer a course that is designed for students to research the integration of faith and learning Advanced Faith and Learning Integration 475.
“I wanted a course that allows students to dig into Christ and their major,” said Leipold. “The main goal of the course is for them to reflect on faith and their discipline and how they can work together.”
Many do not look at how faith and learning can possibly work together. At Waynesburg University, teachers mention how they can do so, but do not go into detail. The addition of this course to the computer science department allows students to look at how they can truly coincide.
“I had always assumed that I would keep my career and relationship with God as two separate parts of my life,” said Farber. “But then when I heard the topic for this course, I was interested in seeing how computer science could possibly correlate with faith.”