PCAS Minors
The Program in Computing for the Arts and Sciences (PCAS) minors are a collaboration between PCAS and many LSA departments. We offer interdisciplinary undergraduate courses focusing on the intersection of computing and the liberal arts. In Winter 2024, we will offer two minors, Computing for Scientific Discovery and Computing for Expression. The minor in Computing for Scientific Discovery is driven by the importance of computing across all domains of the natural and social sciences. The dualistic paradigm of “theory and experiment” has been the dominant framework around which science is communicated and taught; with increasing datasets and the computing power to analyze and assess them, computation has grown to become an equal member with the original pair, forming a “triad for science”. The CSD minor represents a step toward formally recognizing this modern dynamic. The Computing for Expression minor adds a computational component to student interests in creating and manipulating digital media (text, images, sounds and videos) and supplements academic interests in Communication and Media, Film Television and Media, Digital Studies and programs across the Humanities.
Computing for Expression Minor
Think like a programmer. Create like a designer.
Computing is not only a tool for analysis. It is also a medium for design, creativity, and expression. The Computing for Expression minor offers a different entry into programming through work with text, images, sound, video, and interactive media.
The minor begins with fundamental ideas—such as abstraction, iteration, data, and algorithms—that transfer across programming languages and tools. Students build on that foundation through Python, creative coding, digital media, and other computational environments.
Studio-in-Lecture courses combine live coding, collaborative experimentation, and design conversations. Whether you are new to programming or already have experience, you will move beyond making code function to consider how computational choices shape an audience’s experience.
Through the minor, you can:
- Build transferable computing skills through creative projects
- Progress from core concepts to text-based programming
- Create and manipulate text, images, sound, and video
- Practice collaboration, critique, and iterative design
- Connect computation with your major and creative interests
With no prerequisites, this 17-credit minor is for students who want to learn programming differently—or expand their technical experience into thoughtful creative practice.
Build thoughtfully. Create intentionally.
Computing for Scientific Discovery Minor
Connect theory, observation, and computation.
From galaxies and ecosystems to language, society, and finance, today’s research relies on data, models, and computational tools. The Computing for Scientific Discovery (CSD) minor helps students across disciplines develop these skills and apply them to areas they care about.
CSD is not centered on one programming language or field. Students gain experience with tools such as Python, R, statistical computing, and geographic information systems. The focus is on using computation to investigate meaningful questions—not coding for its own sake.
You can build skills in:
- Programming and scientific computing
- Data analysis, modeling, and inference
- Applying computational methods within your field
- Examining the ethical and social dimensions of data and technology
With no prerequisites and a flexible 15-credit curriculum, the minor combines a foundation course, introductory programming, and thematic electives. Course options span astronomy, biology, chemistry, economics, environmental science, finance, language, physics, and the social sciences.Whether you’re preparing for research, graduate study, or data-informed work, CSD can expand your computational toolkit.
Bring the questions from your field. Build the tools to investigate them.
