Which Byte is Right . . . There are six different majors at Pitt devoted to the study of computers. This is typical of the kinds of opportunities Pitt students have to shape their academics to their interests. The majors, housed in four different schools, each have a different focus and emphasize different aspects of computer design and use. Explore each option and determine which will best suit your interests and career goals. If you love computers, there is an option for you. Bioinformatics is offered through the School of Arts and Sciences. This major concentrates on the theory, application and development of computing tools to solve problems and create hypotheses in all areas of biological sciences. Computer Engineering is offered through the School of Engineering. This major is concerned with both hardware and software design; however, the primary focus is on hardware and networking. Students in computer engineering learn how to design a computer from the ground up. Computer Science is offered through the School of Arts and Sciences. This major primarily focuses on software design: programming, algorithm design, database system design, and artificial intelligence. The Computer Science Department also offers a dual major with business. Health Information Management, is offered through the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, is geared toward health record and information systems for patient care, the teaching of medicine, research, and reimbursement. Information Sciences is offered through the School of Information Sciences. This major is concerned with the use of computers to manage data and information flow. IS majors study the processes and tools needed to effectively integrate data systems, distribute and maintain accurate information, and design new databases and information systems. Scientific Computing is offered through the School of Arts and Sciences. This major offers a multidisciplinary approach to the solution of large-scale scientific and engineering problems. It includes mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, symbolic and logic analysis, and software development tools for high-performance computer architecture, parallel and vector computers, graphical analysis, and networking. Logging on at Pitt . . . Computing Services and Systems Development (CSSD) provides student access to seven campus computer labs with many software applications, multiple operating systems and software/hardware support and services. Each lab features several media stations that offer CD duplication, scanning, and image processing. One lab is open 24 hours per day. One-hundred e-mail kiosks are located in high-traffic areas throughout the Pittsburgh campus. The Technology Help Desk is available 24/7 to help troubleshoot, resolve, and answer a variety of questions on technology issues. Pitt's data network, PittNet, connects thousands of computers at all five University campuses to the Internet. An extensive support program offers computer assistance to all residence hall students. Off-campus students have access to PittNet through a state-of-the-art modem pool. Wireless PittNet provides secure and easy-to-use wireless access to the University's network. A software toolkit CD and a wide variety of Microsoft products are available to students without cost for use on personally owned computers. Computing in Pittsburgh . . . Pitt is a partner in the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC). The PSC is home to the state-of-the-art CRAY T3E (one of the fastest computers in the world and the most powerful academically based supercomputer in the United States). Selected researchers at the University can have access to the computer, obtaining valuable work experience on high-powered equipment. After Graduation . . . Career choices for students with degree specializations in computers are endless. Every sector of the job market needs talented computer people. The sector you are most likely to enter depends on your major. Computer engineers tend to get jobs working directly for computer companies. Since computer scientists work as either application programmers or system programmers, they tend to work directly for computer companies or in the general business community. Information scientists are most likely to be found in the business community, but may also be found in education or government. Health information management majors specialize in health-care centers, and scientific computing graduated in engineering firms or in research and development. With Honors . . . The University Honors College (UHC) offers a number of courses in the computer field as well as other areas. UHC courses are not intended to be more advanced than regularly offered courses. However, they are designed to be more challenging and give you a more in-depth perspective on the subject matter. Also, they are usually smaller and more like a seminar than a lecture format. The UHC offers a Bachelor of Philosophy degree which requires students to do an independent research project and defend a thesis before a faculty review panel.