Research

Denison is well known for creating the kind of research opportunities for undergraduate students that are often reserved for graduate students at other institutions. Every summer, a group of Denison computer science students engage in a variety of research projects, mentored by talented faculty who are active researchers in their areas. These experiences give students opportunities to stretch the limits of knowledge and prepare for their futures in graduate school or industry.

Summer Scholars

The Summer Scholars Program permits students to pursue full-time collaborative work with faculty members for a minimum of ten weeks during the summer. Students have opportunities to conduct advanced research in cutting-edge fields such as algorithm design, artificial intelligence, cluster computing, networking, and software verification.

In recent years, computer science students have also conducted interdisciplinary research in computational biology and paleontology and machine learning. Students regularly share the results of their summer research projects at regional and national research conferences. In some cases, summer research has led to work being published in highly-respected research journals and conference programs.

Summer Scholars in computer science are paid stipends and receive free housing for the summer, funded through internal sources such as the Anderson and Bowen Endowments or the Denison University Research Foundation (DURF), or through external grants obtained by faculty from the National Science Foundation

Senior Research

A student may choose to pursue a year-long research project during their senior year in collaboration with, or under the close supervision of, a computer science faculty member. This experience gives students opportunities to immerse themselves in a narrowly-defined topic for an extended period of time. Senior research requires a major thesis and carries eight semester-hours of credit for the year. Occasionally, a thesis is subsequently refined and submitted for publication in a research journal.

Independent Studies

An independent or directed study is an opportunity for a student to study, under the supervision of a faculty member, a topic that is not normally covered in the computer science curriculum.

Spotlights

Five tips to get the most out of your college experience

Three semesters in, Caroline Cavalier ’26 has added a major, traveled twice for academics, and tested a career path through an internship.

Son Tran presenting a poster board at a conference in Los Angeles

How an enterprising student and his professor combined to advance AI research

The impressive work of Son Tran ’24 shows what can be achieved through faculty mentorship.

Denison Magazine

Pedagogy perfected

Denison's Teaching Seminar introduces relevant teaching topics, stimulates discussion within the group, and builds community for new faculty members.

A student signs the Computer Science banner on a table lined with rubber ducks. There is a professor and a student sitting behind the table.

Major Day celebrates significant milestone on academic journey

The inaugural event celebrates sophomores who are declaring majors while offering first-year students a one-stop shop of options.

Video game design class embodies spirit of collaboration

The ‘perfect liberal arts course’ teaches game design skills and challenges students to navigate partnerships and constructive criticism.

Prof. Sarah Wolff heading to South Africa as a Fulbright Scholar

Professor Sarah Wolff is passionate about many things – math, mentoring, and marathons.

Career-ready skills gained through a campus job

Nicholas Reichert ‘22 has a campus job in IT where he is learning more about himself and gaining pragmatic skills that will stand him in good stead.

Score high on key performance indicators

A senior describes how his Red Frame experience helped him prepare for the working world.

Breathe easy

When COVID-19 struck, Caileigh Marshall ’19 became part of a national effort to produce the gold standard of respirators for healthcare practitioners.