Computer science labs prepare students for future careers
McVey Data Science building’s computer science labs equip students with advanced software and technical and soft skills
Computer science labs prepare students for future careers
McVey Data Science building’s computer science labs equip students with advanced software and technical and soft skills
McVey Data Science building is home to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s computer science labs. Having opened in the spring of 2024, the labs include advanced software and are designed to benefit students.
Learning labs within the building come with different varieties of equipment and are open for undergraduate use for multiple disciplines. Some are set up with computers equipped with specialized software, such as Wireshark, while others allow students to connect their own devices and use them to complete work. The software used for labs can often be downloaded onto student computers, meaning students can take advanced equipment with them when they leave the lab.
Often these labs are in long-table format so professors and teaching assistants can easily navigate the aisles in order to aid students.
Miranda Walker, a recent graduate of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú who was a computer science major, noted how beneficial this format is for student learning.
“The labs are really a time for students to get their hands on the code and really try to figure it out step by step, even if they don’t know exactly how to solve the problem,” Walker said, “so this kind of format works out perfectly, where professors and teaching assistants can come along and help whenever you need it.”
Along with this, there are circular labs situated with group collaboration in mind.
“Especially within the computer science department, there’s a lot of group work, because we're really trying to build both those technical and soft skills, and working within a group is a great way to do it,” Walker said.
Through cultivating group and computer skills, the labs create a space for students to interact with advanced software in a way that prepares them for their future endeavors.
“You are learning how to use devices that may be applicable to your next real world job, and then that group work environment is another good reason to use the labs,” Walker said.
In addition to this, the computer science department includes graduate research labs that are available for graduate students to use to complete projects.
The different varieties of lab formats available in the computer science department foster collaboration and productivity, while allowing students the space to focus on their learning and easily get help. Having the labs accessible on campus with open lab hours allows students ample time to work with equipment that prepares them for their future pursuits.