Welcome to the Department of Computer Science at Colgate University! Computer science is the study of algorithmic processes and the machines that carry out these processes. It is a mix of theory, application, design, and experiment. Methods and ideas drawn from computer science are increasingly important in other scientific disciplines as well as the humanities and social sciences.
Our energetic faculty have active research programs and involve student researchers during the summer and the academic year. Colgate computer science students continue on to successful careers in a wide variety of fields.
See our About page for more information!
Prof. Noah Apthorpe led a two-day workshop, “AI-Powered Machine Learning for Research Across the University,” in which more than 20 faculty members and several students from across the disciplines learned to apply machine learning techniques to their own research. Participants practiced data preparation, model training, and evaluating results, bringing tools from computer science to fields ranging from biology to political science. The workshop was organized with Prof. Ahmet Ay (Biology and Mathematics), director of the Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute, and Tolga Dincer of Colgate’s Information Technology Services, and was supported by the Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute. Read Colgate’s coverage of the workshop here.
Sarah Than ‘26 presented her senior thesis research at the ACM New York Celebration of Women in Computing (NYCWIC) and won the Best Undergraduate Poster award! The research involved designing and building novel game controllers aimed at improving social cohesion among players in cooperative games. Sarah built the controllers in the hardware lab in Bernstein Hall and recruited study participants to test them in the building’s gaming lab. Sarah’s thesis was advised by Prof. Apthorpe and Prof. Cassemere-Stanfield (Film and Media Studies).
Brian Douglas ‘25 presented a poster on his independent research at the Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security (SOUPS) 2025. In the work, titled “Light Security: Discovering Vulnerabilities in Theatrical Lighting Control Systems and Assessing Their Prevalence,” Brian characterized security vulnerabilities in the networked lighting control systems used by theaters, concert halls, and other entertainment venues. Combining experiments in theaters at two educational institutions with a survey of hundreds of lighting professionals, he found that 72% of surveyed venues are vulnerable, with the risk rising to 98% in large venues. Brian conducted the research under the guidance of Prof. Gember-Jacobson. The poster is available here.