Department of Math & Computer Sciences

Student and professor discussing work

Program Requirements: Computer Science

Students should note that CSCI110 Diving Into Research does not count towards the computer science major.

Introductory Courses
These courses are prerequisites for the advanced courses and should be taken as soon as possible.

CSCI120 Introduction to Computing
CSCI121 Data Structures
MATH114 Discrete Mathematics

Calculus

  • One year of calculus.
  • MATH 120, 121 Calculus I, II or MATH124, 125 Honors Calculus I, II.

This sequence should be complete as soon as possible; we recommend by the end of the sophomore year.

Core Courses
CSCI140 Assembly Language and Computer Organization
CSCI160 Algorithms
CSCI170 Analysis of Programming Languages
CSCI180 Automata Theory

Advanced Courses
Four courses in computer science at the 200 level, not including internships or reading courses except with departmental approval.

(Total: 13 courses)

Declaring a Major
The department has a system of advising to assist students with their course selections. Department faculty are eager to help students select courses. A major must be declared no later than the second semester of the sophomore year; earlier declarations are encouraged. Students should choose an academic adviser from the department faculty as early as possible or at least by the time the major is declared.

Entering students enrolled in first-year seminars in programs outside mathematics, computer science or the natural sciences are especially encouraged to make a prompt choice of an unofficial secondary adviser in the Computer Science Department, who will be able to supplement the advice offered by their primary adviser.

Suggested Program Sequence
It is important to begin the computer science program early. An ideal program sequence begins with CSCI120 Introduction to Computing in the fall of the first year, followed by CSCI121 Data Structures and MATH114 Discrete Mathematics in the spring semester. A calculus sequence (MATH120, 121,or MATH124, 125) should be taken starting in the first year if possible, and in no case later than the second year. The four core courses should be taken as soon as possible.

The three mathematics courses required for the computer-science major are meant to ensure that all students will have the mathematical tools, which are indispensable for the study of computer science. MATH114 is a direct or indirect prerequisite for essentially all intermediate and advanced computer-science courses, and should be taken as early as possible by any student who may be interested in computer science. If it is not possible for a student to take both MATH114 and Calculus during the first year, preference should be given to MATH114.

Reading Courses
Reading courses on special topics may be arranged with the permission of a member of the departmental faculty who will serve as supervisor. Departmental policy requires that a reading course can only be taken Pass/No Credit. Reading courses may not be substituted for 200-level courses to fulfill departmental requirements

Bioinformatics for CSCI Majors
By taking a sequence of courses like CSCI120-121, CSCI160, CSCI210 (or CSCI 212), MATH 114, and appropriate biology courses, a CSCI major can add a Bioinformatics concentration.