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Computer Science Department
Hopper Hall
The Computer Science Department at the US Naval Academy offers the Computer Science (CS) and Data Science (DS) majors. Both majors provide an exciting curriculum that meets the needs of newly appointed Naval officers serving in the fleet. This nationally recognized department is dedicated to remaining on the leading edge of research and technology.

New Data Science Major!

The brand new Data Science major launched in fall 2022! Students in the class of 2025 and beyond are able to select Data Science as their major. You can find more information about this major here.

New Computer Science Elective Tracks!

Interested in specific areas of Computer Science?! Well now you can take track specific electives to better fit your interest in the field of Computer Science. Click here to see what track is the best for you!!

 

Our Faculty

The department is home to 9 civilian Ph.D. professors, 6 military faculty, and a handful of distinguished visitors. Our faculty offer a range of exciting electives, integrate cutting edge research into the classroom, and many students pursue one-on-one research with faculty.

Why Study Computer Science?

CS is consistently listed at the top of major "best jobs" reports, often ranked #1 in terms of salary, job satisfaction, and career progression. Find out more here, including what the President has to say about this critical field of study.

Follow Us on Social Media

You can now follow the Computer Science Department on Instagram. See the latest student activities and hear about new faculty and student research.


 Follow Us on Instagram!

You can now follow the Computer Science Department on Instagram. See the latest student activities and hear about new faculty and student research.

 News and Update

Computer Science students developing autonomous boats through Trine, Crane challenge during Summer internship

trine

Students from the Computer Science Department work alongside students from Trine University in developing the low-profile vessesls being used in the Artificial Intelligence Maritime Maneuver Indiana Collegiate Challenge. For the full story, please follow this link.

 

MIDN 1/C Abigail Ward Selected for Rhodes Scholarship

ward

Please join us in congratulating Computer Science Major MIDN 1/C Abigail Ward on her selection as a Rhodes Scholar. Her hard work, dedication, and future potential were recognized by a selection committee that interviewed our nation's most accomplished college students. At Oxford, she plans to pursue an MSc in Social Science of the Internet followed by a Master’s in Public Policy.

 

USNA CS major joins first ever class of Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers

NSW

The first three officers in the Navy’s newest officer designation 1880, Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO), started training in Computer Network Operator Qualification Course (CNOQC), which is being taught for the first time at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station, on July 10, 2023. The new MCWOs will join with enlisted Sailors in CNOQC to receive basic level training for offensive cyber operations provided to Interactive On-Net (ION) operators, as the first step toward creating Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers with on-keyboard skills. ENS Hans Cabrera, class of '23 and Computer Science Major, is one of the three officers training to become the Navy's first Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO).

 

2023 Capstone Award

NSW

During the 3 May USNA Capstone Day events, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) leadership surprised four midshipmen researchers from the computer science department by awarding them Navy Achievement Medals (NAMs) for their significant research contributions to Naval Special Warfare (NSW) priority projects. The capstone research teams' sophisticated handling of large data sets, and application of unique machine learning algorithms to these data sets, allowed enhancements to be installed on multiple real-world high classification systems which have directly increased NSW operational capabilities. One estimate suggests that this research collaboration saved the NSW enterprise over $10 million dollars in contracting fees. The midshipmen each expressed great satisfaction in knowing that their 1/C capstone projects directly contributed to fleet readiness.

 

2023 Jean Bartik Computing Symposium (JBCS)

JBCS 2023

On February 2-3, 2023, ten midshipmen from computing majors at the Naval Academy attended the fourth Jean Bartik Computing Symposium (JBCS) at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The event is named after Jean Jennings Bartik, one of the early pioneers of computing, and a key contributor to the ENIAC, BINAC and UNIVAC projects. The midshipmen were joined by cadets from West Point, Coast Guard Academy, and Air Force Academy, along with faculty from the four service academies, distinguished speakers from several DOD labs, agencies, and industrial partners. This two days event seeks to promote fellowship among women and minorities in computing majors at the service academies and provide technical training and mentorship through interactive workshops, student presentations, keynotes, and panels. Read more about JBCS  here. We are looking forward to hosting next year’s event at the Naval Academy!

 

Computer Science major, MIDN Kade Heckel wins Mashall Scholarship

MIDN Kade Heckel has been awarded the prestigious Mashall Scholarship! Upon graduation, MIDN Heckel will pursue a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. Read more here. MIDN Heckel is a dual Computer Science, Computer Engineering major and Trident Scholar working with the Computer Science Department's own, Professor Ric Crabbe. Congratulations and good luck with your studies in England. heckel.jpg

Dr. Gavin Taylor wins 2022 Teaching Excellence Award gtAward

Associate Professor Gavin Taylor is the 2022 recipient of the "Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Teaching Excellence Award". Professor Taylor distinguished himself through his research and steadfast dedication to Midshipmen by supervising three Trident scholars, including the most recent winner of the 1979 Trident Scholar Prize and co-chairing the committee to develop the brand new Data Science major. Read more about Dr. Taylor here.

Dr. Nate Chambers Wins 2020 Research Excellence Award chambersAward1

Associate Professor Nate Chambers is the 2020 recipient of the "Class of 1951 Civilian Faculty Excellence in Research Award", which is presented annually to the civilian faculty member at the Naval Academy who has exhibited the highest quality continued scholarly achievement through research. Dr. Chambers' research interests include natural language processing (NLP) and learning about the world from text with minimal supervision. Read more about Dr. Chambers here.

 

Harrison Foley Wins 2021 Top Trident Scholar Prize

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MIDN 1/C Harrison Foley is the 2021 recipient of the "Class of 1979 Trident Scholar Prize". MIDN Foley, a Computer Science major, was advised by Associate Professor Gavin Taylor of the Computer Science Department as he worked on his award winning project titled "Deceiving Neural Networks in Common Application s". Learn more about the Trident program and MIDN Foley's project here and learn about Dr. Taylor's research interests  here.

 

Jamie Lee Earns Prestigious Churchill Scholarship

Jamie Lee 

Each year, qualified students apply for the Churchill Scholarship in hopes of securing one of the 15 spots. This competitive scholarship allows the winners to earn a master’s degree at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge in UK. This year, MIDN Lee, Computer Science major, competed amongst 127 candidates from 82 institutions nationwide to win one of the 15 spots. MIDN Lee will pursue a master’s degree in Machine Learning. Once she completes the year-long program, she will serve in the Navy as a Cryptologic Warfare Officer.

Mike Hanling Wins 2020 Top Trident Scholar Prize

JBCS 2020

MIDN 1/C Mike Hanling is the 2020 recipient of the "Class of 1979 Trident Scholar Prize". MIDN Hanling, a Computer Science major, was advised by Associate Professor Daniel S. Roche of the Computer Science Department as he worked on his award winning project titled "Proofs of Retrievability with Low Server Storage". Learn more about the Trident program and MIDN Hanling's project here and learn about Dr. Roche's research interests  here.

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