Computer Science majors study the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computers. Mathematics and the scientific method are powerful tools for understanding the potential of modern computers.

Our majors start by learning programming skills, but computer science is much more than programming. Programming is one of the tools that a computer scientist uses to solve problems. As students advance in the major, more and more elective options become available, ranging from database management and interactive web sites to computer games and graph theory.

All computer science majors must choose either the Computer Science Option or the Information Systems Option. The required courses are the primary difference between each option. However, you can choose the required courses of one option as electives in the other. This allows students to customize their computer science education to become experts in the aspects that most interest them. The Computer Science Option is the default option for new majors. A student who wishes to change options should meet with his or her academic advisor.

The courses required for a Computer Science Major are listed in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The Computer Science option of the Computer Science major follows international curriculum recommendations for computer science. It provides a balance of theoretical foundations with practical applications. A student who chooses this option may choose to enter the high-tech workforce or to pursue graduate education in computer science.

• Any course above CS300 can count as an elective on the major, even if it does not show up on your DAPR. When new courses are added by the department, they do not show up on older programs and hence may not appear on your DAPR. If you are interested in counting such a course as an upper-level elective, contact the Director of Undergraduate Programs.
• Students are encouraged to take the MATHS 165, 166 calculus sequence in place of MATHS 161, 162. This will add two hours to the program.
• MATHS 215 substitutes for CS 124.
• ECON 221 substitutes for MATHS 221.