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Computer Science

Research guide for computer science students

Where to get help

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Cañada College Library Redwood City, CA
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Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Text Message: (650) 535-8398
Phone: (650) 306-3480
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How to read and understand a scientific journal article

Using Google Scholar

Google Scholar is a version of Google that searches for academic articles and is often easier to use than databases. Connect Google Scholar to Cañada College and College of San Mateo databases by following these steps. 

  1. Search Google for Google Scholar
  2. Click on the three horizontal bars in the upper left-hand side of the page.
  3. Find Settings in the menu.
  4. Choose Library Links from the list on the left.
  5. Search for Cañada College and College of San Mateo. You may save up to five library links, as shown below.

Find information about salaries and degrees for the computer science field

Search for information about the field of computer science, including salaries, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor, "The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $136,310 in August 2019." 

Read about how and where computer scientists work in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

For information about college computer science programs, see ComputerScience.org

Online computer science classes at MIT ND Harvard and other coding resources

If you need help with programming or coding or want to take a specific class in a program or coding language, one of these schools or organizations will have something to suit you.

  • Code Academy offers classes in HTML & CSS, JavaScript, iQuery, PHP, Pythom, and Ruby.
  • Coursera includes classes towards earning certificates as well as classes in different levels offered by universities like Vanderbilt, Rice, Duke and University of Michigan.
  • GitHub acts as an online encyclopedia of computer science.
  • Harvard Extension School's Open Source class, CS 50: Intro to Computer Science, is a good introduction for anyone.
  • MIT OpenCourseware is good for computer science students ready to move beyond the basics.

Databases & Resources

Databases

Libby (formally Overdrive) has magazines like Macworld, PC Magazine, Breakout and more computer magazines available for online checkout. Libby/Overdrive is a Peninsula Library System database and you will need your public library card to access it.

ACM Digital Library

The Association for Computing Machinery offers a repository of full-text articles and other materials as well as YouTube channels with thousands of subscribers. Create an account for free here.

Where to find databases in the new catalog

Find the OneSearch field on Cañada College Library's homepage to navigate to databases, then choose a database from the dropdown menus by alphabetical order or by name.

Professional associations & coding classes

Professional associations to bring you in contact with professionals in your future field

Connect with computer scientists and see what resources computer science associations offer. Many offer training and some lead to internship or work experience.

Library services

The Cañada College Library, on the third floor of Building 9, offers computers, textbooks, technology, research help, printing, and group study rooms.

Library computers do not require you to log in and do not have a time limit so you can come and stay all day. Chromebooks, hotspots and calculators can be checked out from the circulation desk after you complete a technology loan agreement.

Search for textbooks available at the library. If you do not see your textbook, fill out the Textbook request form for students.