Experiential Learning

The College of Charleston, the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics and the Department of Computer Science are all in on experiential learning.

Whether you're interested in research, studying abroad or diving into an internship, there are many opportunities for you to get real-world experience.

Hands on Learning

Participate in undergraduate research

Research Labs

Our dedicated research faculty is engaged in various computing research areas. For details on individual interests, please visit our faculty pages. Professors are always looking for students to participate in research, so feel free to reach out if you're interested!

Several faculty members run advanced research labs.

See our Research Labs

Research with Us

 
 

Faculty and research students at ACM-W Carolinas Women in Computing Conference 2024. Computer Science / Data Science double major Daisy Clavijo Ramirez (middle) won the Best Poster Award.

Capstone Project

All of our majors take a 3-credit hour capstone course. For the duration of the semester, they work on a small team in an Agile environment on a semester long software project for a real industry client. 

Students present their work at our annual Harbor Walk After 5 event. 

Research Expo 2024

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Slide 1: Seniors present their capstone project at the 2024 Research Expo. Vitalii Drabyshinets, Hallie Jenkins, and Logan Segal (left to right) with their client Mindy Allen (3rd from the left) from the Family Resource Center in Charleston, CS. Slide 2: Senior Computer Science Honors student Channing Smith won 1st place award for Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation of the Department of Computer Science. Channing worked with advisor Dr. Kris Ghosh on the Bachelor's Essay titled "Ethics Aware Artificial Intelligence Software" funded by NASA's Rapid Response Grant. Slide 3: Computer Science minor and Honors student Latherial Calbert under the guidance of advisor Dr. Navid Hashemi and with the help of volunteers collecting data for 18 weeks presented Bachelor's Essay "Crunching Numbers Not Nerves: Enhancing Classroom performance with Timely Stress Monitoring". Latherial won Best Data Science Poster. Slide 4: Computer Science and Data Science double major junior Daisy Clavijo on the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics (SECM) Alumni Association Award for research on Parking Lot Vehicle Recognition with drones. Daisy was also awarded an SECM grant to continue research during the summer. This research was a team project under advisor Dr. Mia Y. Wang.

Internships

While the responsibility of finding an internship is the priority of the student, through partnerships with tech companies, the Department and the College are prepared to help with your search. Students are frequently sent emails highlighting opportunities. The Department regularly hosts events connecting students with potential employers and sends out a student resume book to our industry partners. 

Benefits:

  • Apply what you have learned
  • Gain hands-on experience
  • Improve professional and social skills
  • Bolster your professional confidence and resume

Resources for current students are available on the CofC Computer Science Student Hub.

Google DEI Data Center Summer Internship

students in safety gear pose at Google Data Center

Thanks to a new partnership with the College, in 2024 Google is inviting students to intern at the Google Data Center in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, for the first time ever. The Google DEI Data Center Summer Internship aims to expose diverse students, regardless of their major, to career opportunities and to give them transferable skills that they can leverage in a range of careers. Pictured: The first cohort of Google Data Center Summer Internship students (l–r), Ana Decena (BS Computer Information Systems and International Studies major), Bailey Samonte (BS Computer Science major), MoniYah Person (BS Computer Information Systems major), Kirti Reddy (Political Science major) and Josh Smith (BS Computer Science major).

Internship leads to career for student

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Emily Coleman (BS Computer Science)

Go Everywhere, Do Everything

student walking a long hallway in college, research posters on the walls Play video

"Open your shell, get out of your comfort zone and only use your room for sleep" is the advice of CS major Josh Smith.

Study Abroad

Since the Department of Computer Science at the College of Charleston was established in 1980, our computer science students have been coding around the world. CS Students have studied abroad in Estonia, Italy, Turkey, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Greece, and many other countries around the globe. In addition to studying abroad, CS Students have traveled around the world presenting their undergraduate research at international conferences in Australia, Austria, Ireland, Italy, and others.

Summer in Spain

Tujillo, Spain main square building and reflecting poolThe Department of Computer Science in partnership with the Department of Hispanic Studies offers a  5-week summer study abroad program in Trujillo, Spain. Spend your summer earning CofC credit while taking a language and culture class and a computing class in the Coria, a 15th century restored convent. Live with our wonderful host families in Trujillo for an extraordinary opportunity to improve fluency in Spanish and experience the Spanish culture firsthand. Language classes and the Computing and Society class will be integrated with experiences outside of the classroom. In addition to visits to local sites of interest, there will be excursions to other cities throughout the program. 

Explore your world

Through the Center for International Education, students can select from a variety of study abroad programs: Affiliate Programs, College of Charleston Faculty Led Programs, or International Exchange Programs. Scholarships are also available for students through the Center for International Education to assist with funding.

To Get Started: Explore your options – Meet with your CS Faculty Advisor or talk to CS@CofC students that have studied abroad!

International Exchange Programs through CofC that offer Computer Science courses in English:

Attend an Advising Session at the Center for International Education

Apply and Study Abroad!

Innovation Center

The second floor of Harbor Walk East houses the Student Innovation Center, available to all CS students even after hours. Use the 3D printers, play in the VR room, meet in the conference rooms, study, relax, or play games.

Student Organizations

Connect, learn from and work with peers with similar interests. Join one of our student organizations:

  • Computing in the Arts Club
  • Cybersecurity Club
  • Data Science Club
  • Esports Club
  • Women in Computing Club
  • Women in STEM
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society

Current students can find more information on our student clubs on the College of Charleston Computer Science Student Hub.

Learn, Connect, Compete, Have Fun

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2022-2023 student club activities and competitions

Get involved

Become a Computer Science Department student ambassador, volunteer for department events, work at our front desk, become a peer advisor, join a student club, participate in a hackathon or competition, do hands-on research and make the most of your time with us!