School of Computer and Data Sciences

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND DATA SCIENCES — The School of Computer and Data Sciences (SCDS) in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has entered a new era. Beth Plale has taken the helm as its inaugural executive director, bringing with her a distinguished record of research, education and visionary leadership.

COMPUTER SCIENCE — Over the past few terms, computer science professors Hank Childs and Aye Thuzar have been working on reworking the entry level computer science class, “Fluency with Information Technology,” to incorporate AI-assisted programming. The idea is that allowing AI to take care of smaller details allows students to cover more ground in a single introductory class.

CYBERSECURITY — With just minutes remaining in the regional cybersecurity competition, BSidesPDX, the Cyber Ducks were neck and neck with their opponents. Making it to that point was already an impressive feat, but when the team of students beat the team of professionals, the looks of pride on the Cyber Ducks' faces were unmistakable. 

DATA SCIENCE — Data science is a growing field in large part because of its potential application to a wide variety of other fields. The College of Arts and Sciences data science program is supporting researchers like Jake Searcy in leading the way, using AI and machine learning to solve some of the biggest problems facing our world.

COMPUTER SCIENCE — Computer science professor Yu Wang has received two major honors in the past few months. First, a team he has been leading won a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Second, his dissertation, which investigates ways to improve limited data sets to promote equity in data science, was awarded an honorable mention.

COMPUTER SCIENCE, CYBERSECURITY — The Department of Computer Science is wearing a new badge of honor. The National Security Agency designated the College of Arts and Sciences' Cybersecurity program as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Research (CAE-R), which specifically recognizes institutions that contribute significant, peer-reviewed cybersecurity research and is the result of a rigorous review process.

COMPUTER SCIENCE — With the help of the UO resources and research assistants, Assistant Professor Yu Wang’s research is helping us move toward a world where the accurate information we need to solve nearly any problem is right at our fingertips. The potential applications of Wang and his team’s efforts to mitigate this gap are nearly limitless.

COMPUTER SCIENCE, CYBERSECURITY — A special summer camp through the School of Computer and Data Science brought students from all backgrounds to get a glimpse into the world of computer science and cybersecurity. Students participated in collaborative activities, met guest speakers from big-name organizations and attended sessions covering topics like how to apply to college for computer science.

COMPUTER SCIENCE, CYBERSECURITY — For five days, 11 computer science teachers from high schools across Oregon gathered at the UO campus in Eugene to learn about the RING curriculum for teaching cybersecurity. This curriculum was designed by the National Security Agency to enable teachers to offer a cybersecurity class at their high schools, a class that is not taught in most Oregon high schools.

COMPUTER SCIENCE - In his time as a computer science major in the School of Computer and Data Sciences, Fedi Aniefuna used a creative mindset to go beyond a standard curriculum. He capitalized on opportunities and always made sure to create paths for others to do the same. As an alum, he's still looking for ways for students to open more doors for themselves.