Stories We Tell Course Pairing
Computer Science Through Programming (CS 151)
Introduces students to problem solving with the fundamentals of programming, enabling them to decompose complex problems into elementary steps for effective implementation in a modern programming language. Students work with numeric and textual data, procedural programming with conditionals and loops, basic linear data structures, and on testing their solutions. Problems may draw on topics in computer security, data encoding, graphics, games, financial analysis, physical models, and others. Provides a general survey of some of the major areas of computer science, such as digital logic, software engineering, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, theory of computation, object-oriented programming, and ethical and societal issues in computing.
Faculty Biography
Dr. Sibren Isaacman is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science department. He researches the application of computing in real-world settings like weather prediction or power-performance trade-offs in model devices. His passion for teaching stems from a joy in watching students make connections between classroom material and the students' lived experiences.
Foundations of Philosophy: The Examined Life (PL 201)
Socrates, at his trial, turns to his fellow citizens and offers the following admonition: "it is the greatest good for man to discuss virtue every day and those other things about which you hear me conversing and testing myself and others, for the unexamined life is not worth living” (Apology, 38a). Four things are revealed in Socrates' words that should command our attention. First is the claim itself that an unexamined life is not worth living; it is not a life for human beings. Second is the claim that this is not a good among any number of goods . . . it is the greatest good. Third is the suggestion that this good is not to be pursued in solitude but in discourse, in conversation with others. Last, and perhaps most difficult to appreciate, is the reminder that philosophy is an activity, a way of being in the world.
Faculty Biography
Dr. Jim Snow is a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy and a long-serving Messina professor. His research and teaching focus on genocide studies, human rights, and racial justice.
Mentor Biography
Zoe Derrickson began working at Loyola in the fall of 2020 and serves as the Program Director Graduate Data Science. As a Loyola alumnus, Zoe had the privilege of attending Loyola as an undergraduate and obtaining her B.B.A. in Marketing. In addition, Zoe earned her M.P.S. in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. Zoe’s passion lies in mentoring students. Zoe loves challenging and supporting students so they may become the best version of themselves. When Zoe is not working you'll find her strolling through the Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazar, finding great restaurants in Baltimore, or exploring the most popular trails in Oregon Ridge Park with her dog.
Virtual Advisor
This pairing is required for students enrolled in the CPaMS (Computer science, Physics and Mathematics/Statistics) Scholars Program. Both courses satisfy core requirements for all students. CS 151 also recommended for students interested in Computer Science.
