It is not uncommon for Niharika Joglekar to be the only female in her classes.

It's this observation - among others - that has led the computer science and engineering senior to start a new group on campus called MSU Women in Computing.

"Women don't feel as comfortable as they should in this male-dominated major," Joglekar said. "That was our plan - to make this a more comfortable field."

The group allows members to discuss topics ranging from class projects to their role as a minority in future careers, she said.

Although informal discussion continues at meetings, which are held each week at different locations, Joglekar said she hopes to bring in guest speakers and organize computer help sessions for all students later in the semester.

Teresa Isela VanderSloot, faculty adviser in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and adviser for the group, said there is a need for the new group.

"What the issue is, the number of women going (into computer-related fields) is less, but the jobs in computer science are increasing," she said.

At MSU, 7 percent of all computer science majors are women, VanderSloot said.

The female population in his classes is low, but it hasn't always been this way, said Richard Enbody, associate professor of computer science and engineering.

"I am old enough to remember that there was a time in the '70s when we had more women in computer science majors than now," he said. "This group is one thing to try to help."

Enbody added the trend is something people across the country are concerned about.

"There are a lot of people nationwide who are trying to figure out (why female numbers are so low)," he said. "People are trying to do different things, but the magic formula hasn't come up yet."

VanderSloot said a female perspective in the field is helpful.

"When they make a car or enhance any type, if they don't take into consideration a woman's body to make a seatbelt, they are losing a lot of money if they don't engineer it right the first time," she said.

Joglekar said one of the group's main goals is to build confidence.

"As a woman, you have a different approach to looking at a problem - men don't have that approach," she said. "You have to have the confidence to say, 'Yes, I am right.'"