Computer Science Major

Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.

Double-counting note: Weinberg College prohibits double-counting a major course (those identified as program courses, below) toward some other major or minor, except where this is explicitly permitted in this catalog. Weinberg College allows double-counting a related course (see below) for a major toward some other major or minor. Weinberg College does allow double-counting a major course and related courses for a major toward a general bachelor's degree requirement (i.e. degree requirements other than majors or minors). Other programs or schools may have their own restrictions that supersede this, so check the relevant parts of this catalog for possible limits.

Course Title
Program Courses (19 units)
6 core courses:
COMP_SCI 150-0Fundamentals of Programming and Computational Problem Solving
or GEN_ENG 150-0 Programming for Engineers
or GEN_ENG 151-0 Honors Programming for Engineers
COMP_SCI 180-0Software Design & Composition
or COMP_SCI 111-0 Fundamentals of Computer Programming
COMP_SCI 208-0Data Structures & Algorithms (Formerly Comp_Sci 214)
COMP_SCI 211-0Programming in Systems-Level Languages
COMP_SCI 212-0Math Foundations of CS Part 1: Discrete Math for CS
COMP_SCI 213-0Introduction to Computer System
5 breadth courses
2 project courses
6 technical electives
Related Courses (Units depend on mathematics sequence taken.)
Physics or biological sciences courses are recommended to satisfy the Weinberg College natural sciences distribution requirement.

Breadth Courses

Majors must take one course from each area.  Minors must take one course from each of any three areas.

Theory

Course Title
COMP_SCI 335-0Introduction to the Theory of Computation
COMP_SCI 336-0Design & Analysis of Algorithms

Systems

Course Title
COMP_SCI 322-0Compiler Construction
COMP_SCI 339-0Introduction to Database Systems
COMP_SCI 340-0Introduction to Networking
COMP_SCI 343-0Operating Systems
COMP_SCI 345-0Distributed and Networked Systems
COMP_SCI 346-0Microcontroller System Design
or COMP_ENG 346-0 Microcontroller System Design
COMP_SCI 350-0Introduction to Computer Security
COMP_SCI 354-0Computer System Security
COMP_SCI 358-0Introduction to Parallel Computing
or COMP_ENG 358-0 Introduction to Parallel Computing
COMP_SCI 368-0Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
or COMP_SCI 468-0 Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
or COMP_ENG 368-0 Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
or COMP_ENG 468-0 Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
COMP_SCI 440-0Advanced Networking
COMP_SCI 441-0Resource Virtualization
COMP_SCI 443-0Advanced Operating Systems
COMP_SCI 446-0Kernel and Other Low-level Software Development
COMP_SCI 450-0Internet Security
COMP_ENG 303-0Advanced Digital Design
COMP_ENG 361-0Computer Architecture I

Artificial Intelligence

Course Title
COMP_SCI 325-0Artificial Intelligence Programming
COMP_SCI 337-0Natural Language Processing: Classical Approaches
COMP_SCI 344-0Design of Computer Problem Solvers
COMP_SCI 348-0Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
COMP_SCI 349-0Machine Learning
COMP_SCI 371-0Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
COMP_SCI 372-0Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
or COMP_SCI 472-0 Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages

Interfaces

Course Title
COMP_SCI 313-0Tangible Interaction Design and Learning
or COMP_SCI 413-0 Tangible Interaction Design and Learning
COMP_SCI 315-0Design, Technology, and Research
or COMP_SCI 415-0 Design, Technology, and Research
COMP_SCI 329-0HCI Studio
COMP_SCI 330-0Human Computer Interaction
COMP_SCI 331-0Introduction to Computational Photography
COMP_SCI 333-0Interactive Information Visualization
COMP_SCI 351-1Introduction to Computer Graphics
COMP_SCI 352-0Machine Perception of Music & Audio
COMP_SCI 353-0Natural & Artificial Vision
COMP_SCI 370-0Computer Game Design
COMP_SCI 372-0Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
or COMP_SCI 472-0 Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
COMP_SCI 376-0Computer Game Design and Development
COMP_SCI 377-0Game Design Studio
ELEC_ENG 332-0Introduction to Computer Vision

Software Development and Programming Languages

Course Title
COMP_SCI 310-0Scalable Software Architectures
COMP_SCI 321-0Programming Languages
COMP_SCI 338-0Practicum in Intelligent Information Systems
COMP_SCI 377-0Game Design Studio
COMP_SCI 380-0Software Quality Engineering
COMP_SCI 392-0Rapid Prototyping for Software Innovation
COMP_SCI 393-0Software Construction
COMP_SCI 394-0Agile Software Development

Project Courses

Majors must take two courses from this list.

Project course list

Course Title
COMP_SCI 311-0Inclusive Making
COMP_SCI 312-0Data Privacy
or COMP_SCI 412-0 Data Privacy
COMP_SCI 315-0Design, Technology, and Research
or COMP_SCI 415-0 Design, Technology, and Research
COMP_SCI 316-2CS Education Research in the Community II: Sports and Computer Science
COMP_SCI 317-0Sports, Technology and Learning
COMP_SCI 322-0Compiler Construction
COMP_SCI 329-0HCI Studio
COMP_SCI 330-0Human Computer Interaction
COMP_SCI 331-0Introduction to Computational Photography
COMP_SCI 337-0Natural Language Processing: Classical Approaches
COMP_SCI 338-0Practicum in Intelligent Information Systems
COMP_SCI 339-0Introduction to Database Systems
COMP_SCI 340-0Introduction to Networking
COMP_SCI 343-0Operating Systems
COMP_SCI 344-0Design of Computer Problem Solvers
COMP_SCI 345-0Distributed and Networked Systems
COMP_SCI 346-0Microcontroller System Design
or COMP_ENG 346-0 Microcontroller System Design
COMP_SCI 351-1Introduction to Computer Graphics
COMP_SCI 351-2Intermediate Computer Graphics
COMP_SCI 354-0Computer System Security
COMP_SCI 355-0Digital Forensics and Incident Response
COMP_SCI 367-0Wireless and Mobile Health (mHealth)
or COMP_SCI 467-0 Wireless and Mobile Health (mHealth)
COMP_SCI 370-0Computer Game Design
COMP_SCI 371-0Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
COMP_SCI 372-0Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
or COMP_SCI 472-0 Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
COMP_SCI 377-0Game Design Studio
COMP_SCI 380-0Software Quality Engineering
COMP_SCI 392-0Rapid Prototyping for Software Innovation
COMP_SCI 393-0Software Construction
COMP_SCI 394-0Agile Software Development
COMP_SCI 397-0Special Projects in Computer Science
or COMP_SCI 497-0 Special Projects in Computer Science
COMP_SCI 398-0Research Track Practicum
COMP_SCI 433-0Wireless Protocols for the Internet of Things
COMP_SCI 441-0Resource Virtualization
COMP_SCI 445-0Internet-scale Experimentation
COMP_SCI 446-0Kernel and Other Low-level Software Development
COMP_SCI 450-0Internet Security
COMP_SCI 461-0Large Language Models
COMP_ENG 366-0Embedded Systems
or COMP_ENG 466-0 Embedded Systems
ELEC_ENG 332-0Introduction to Computer Vision

Technical electives

Majors must take six technical electives.  Any 300- or 400-level COMP_SCI course may be taken as a technical elective.  In addition, the following courses may also be taken as technical electives:

Technical electives list

Course Title
COMP_ENG 303-0Advanced Digital Design
COMP_ENG 329-0The Art of Multicore Concurrent Programming
COMP_ENG 334-0Fundamentals of Blockchains and Decentralization
or ELEC_ENG 334-0 Fundamentals of Blockchains and Decentralization
COMP_ENG 346-0Microcontroller System Design
COMP_ENG 355-0ASIC and FPGA Design
COMP_ENG 356-0Introduction to Formal Specification & Verification
COMP_ENG 357-0Design Automation in VLSI
COMP_ENG 358-0Introduction to Parallel Computing
COMP_ENG 361-0Computer Architecture I
COMP_ENG 362-0Computer Architecture Projects
COMP_ENG 364-0CyberPhysical Systems Design and Application
or COMP_ENG 464-0 Cyber-Physical Systems Design and Application
COMP_ENG 365-0Internet-of-things Sensors, Systems, And Applications
or COMP_ENG 465-0 Internet-of-things Sensors, Systems, And Applications
COMP_ENG 366-0Embedded Systems
or COMP_ENG 466-0 Embedded Systems
COMP_ENG 368-0Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
or COMP_ENG 468-0 Programming Massively Parallel Processors with CUDA
COMP_ENG 452-0Adv Computer Architecture
COMP_ENG 453-0Parallel Architectures
COMP_ENG 456-0Modern Topics in Computer Architecture
COMP_ENG 459-0VLSI Algorithmics
ELEC_ENG 326-0Electronic System Design I
ELEC_ENG 332-0Introduction to Computer Vision
ELEC_ENG 375-0Machine Learning: Foundations, Applications, and Algorithms
ELEC_ENG 433-0Statistical Pattern Recognition
ELEC_ENG 435-0Deep Learning: Foundations, Applications, and Algorithms

Related Courses

Double-counting note: Weinberg College allows double-counting a related course toward some other major, minor, or general bachelor's degree requirement. Other programs or schools may have their own restrictions that supersede this, so check the relevant parts of this catalog for possible limits.

Mathematics

Course Title
MATH 220-1
MATH 220-2
Single-Variable Differential Calculus
and Single-Variable Integral Calculus
or MATH 218-1
MATH 218-2
MATH 218-3
Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus
and Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus
and Single-Variable Calculus with Precalculus
MATH 230-1Multivariable Differential Calculus
or MATH 228-1 Multivariable Differential Calculus for Engineering
MATH 240-0Linear Algebra
or GEN_ENG 241-0 Linear Algebra for Engineers

Probability and Statistics1

Course Title
COMP_SCI 262-0Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science - Part 2
or GEN_ENG 231-0 Probability and Statistics for Engineers
or IEMS 201-0 Introduction to Statistics
or MATH 310-1 Probability and Stochastic Processes
or STAT 210-0 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
1

STAT 202-0 Introduction to Statistics and Data Science is not accepted.

Note

Many courses are eligible to count toward more than one requirement for the major; for example, all breadth courses are also technical elective courses. A student who completes such a course must choose which requirement area to apply that course. A single course does not satisfy more than one requirement at a time.

Concentrations

Computer Science students may elect to declare one optional concentration, to highlight that they are specializing in one of the following sub-fields of computer science:

Artificial Intelligence 

Course Title
COMP_SCI 265-0AI and International Security (*)
COMP_SCI 301-0Introduction to Robotics Laboratory
COMP_SCI 302-0Artifical Life
COMP_SCI 325-0Artificial Intelligence Programming
COMP_SCI 334-0Introduction to Computational Linguistics
COMP_SCI 337-0Natural Language Processing: Classical Approaches
COMP_SCI 338-0Practicum in Intelligent Information Systems
COMP_SCI 344-0Design of Computer Problem Solvers
COMP_SCI 347-0Conversational AI
or COMP_SCI 447-0 Conversational AI
COMP_SCI 348-0Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
COMP_SCI 349-0Machine Learning
COMP_SCI 353-0Natural & Artificial Vision
COMP_SCI 371-0Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
COMP_SCI 372-0Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
or COMP_SCI 472-0 Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
COMP_SCI 374-0Causal Graphical Models
COMP_SCI 396-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Declarative Programming for Game AI)
COMP_SCI 396-0Special Topics in Computer Science (AI for Hybrid, Participatory Narratives via AI and Experimental Narrative)
or COMP_SCI 496-0 Special Topics in Computer Science
COMP_SCI 396-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Machine Learning and Sensing)
or COMP_SCI 496-0 Special Topics in Computer Science
COMP_SCI 397-0Special Projects in Computer Science (Seminar in Statistical Language Modeling)
COMP_SCI 409-0Swarms and Multi-Robot Systems
COMP_SCI 449-0Deep Learning
COMP_SCI 454-0Computational Optics
COMP_SCI 461-0Large Language Models
COMP_SCI 463-0Generative Deep Models
COMP_SCI 469-0Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence for Robotics
COMP_SCI 474-0Probabilistic Graphical Models
COMP_SCI 496-0Special Topics in Computer Science (AI Perspectives: Symbolic Reasoning to Deep Learning)
COMP_SCI 496-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Logic in AI)
COG_SCI 207-0Introduction to Cognitive Modeling (*)
*while this class does not count as a Technical Elective, McCormick students (but not Weinberg students) can count it as an “Advanced Elective”.

Systems

Course Title
COMP_SCI 322-0Compiler Construction
COMP_SCI 339-0Introduction to Database Systems
COMP_SCI 340-0Introduction to Networking
COMP_SCI 343-0Operating Systems
COMP_ENG 361-0Computer Architecture I

Foundations

Course Title
COMP_SCI 307-0Introduction to Cryptography
COMP_SCI 332-0Online Markets
COMP_SCI 335-0Introduction to the Theory of Computation
COMP_SCI 336-0Design & Analysis of Algorithms
COMP_SCI 362-0Foundations of Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
or COMP_SCI 462-0 Foundations of Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
COMP_SCI 396-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Algorithms for Collective Decision Making)
COMP_SCI 396-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Advanced Algorithm Design via Competitive Programming)
or COMP_SCI 496-0 Special Topics in Computer Science
COMP_SCI 407-0Advanced Topics in Modern Cryptography
COMP_SCI 436-0Graduate Algorithms
COMP_SCI 437-0Approximation Algorithms

Security and Privacy

Course Title
COMP_SCI 265-0AI and International Security (*)
COMP_SCI 307-0Introduction to Cryptography
COMP_SCI 308-0Foundations of Security
COMP_SCI 312-0Data Privacy
or COMP_SCI 412-0 Data Privacy
COMP_SCI 350-0Introduction to Computer Security
COMP_SCI 354-0Computer System Security
COMP_SCI 355-0Digital Forensics and Incident Response
COMP_SCI 360-0Advanced Offense and Defense in Cybersecurity
COMP_SCI 407-0Advanced Topics in Modern Cryptography
COMP_SCI 450-0Internet Security
COMP_SCI 496-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Engineering Modern Cryptographic Protocols)
*while this class does not count as a Technical Elective, McCormick students (but not Weinberg students) can count it as an “Advanced Elective”.

Software Engineering and Programming Languages

Course Title
COMP_SCI 303-0Full Stack Software Engineering
COMP_SCI 310-0Scalable Software Architectures
COMP_SCI 320-0Proving Properties of Programs with Mechanized Logic
COMP_SCI 321-0Programming Languages
COMP_SCI 322-0Compiler Construction
COMP_SCI 323-0Code Analysis and Transformation
COMP_SCI 324-0Dynamics of Programming Languages
or COMP_SCI 424-0 Dynamics of Programming Languages
COMP_SCI 380-0Software Quality Engineering
COMP_SCI 387-0Responsible Software Engineering
COMP_SCI 388-0Software Engineering Beyond Programming
COMP_SCI 392-0Rapid Prototyping for Software Innovation
COMP_SCI 393-0Software Construction
COMP_SCI 394-0Agile Software Development

Robotics

Course Title
COMP_SCI 301-0Introduction to Robotics Laboratory
or MECH_ENG 301-0 Introduction to Robotics Laboratory
COMP_SCI 302-0Artifical Life
COMP_SCI 353-0Natural & Artificial Vision
COMP_SCI 409-0Swarms and Multi-Robot Systems
COMP_SCI 410-0Autonomous Quadrotor Design and Control
COMP_SCI 469-0Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence for Robotics
or MECH_ENG 469-0 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Robotics
MECH_ENG 333-0Introduction to Mechatronics (*)
MECH_ENG 433-0Advanced Mechatronics (*)
MECH_ENG 449-0Robotic Manipulation (*)
MECH_ENG 455-0Active Learning in Robotics (*)
MECH_ENG 495-0Selected Topics in Mechanical Engg (Soft robotics*)
*while this class does not count as a Technical Elective, McCormick students (but not Weinberg students) can count it as an “Advanced Elective”.

Computer Hardware and Architecture

Course Title
COMP_SCI 346-0Microcontroller System Design
or COMP_ENG 346-0 Microcontroller System Design
COMP_ENG 303-0Advanced Digital Design
COMP_ENG 361-0Computer Architecture I
COMP_ENG 362-0Computer Architecture Projects
COMP_ENG 452-0Adv Computer Architecture
COMP_ENG 456-0Modern Topics in Computer Architecture
COMP_ENG 459-0VLSI Algorithmics

Human-Computer Interaction

Course Title
COMP_SCI 311-0Inclusive Making
COMP_SCI 313-0Tangible Interaction Design and Learning
or COMP_SCI 413-0 Tangible Interaction Design and Learning
COMP_SCI 314-0Technology and Human Interaction
COMP_SCI 315-0Design, Technology, and Research (Two credits of CS 315/415 may count toward the HCI concentration)
or COMP_SCI 415-0 Design, Technology, and Research
COMP_SCI 329-0HCI Studio
COMP_SCI 330-0Human Computer Interaction
COMP_SCI 333-0Interactive Information Visualization
COMP_SCI 341-0Social Networks Analysis
or COMM_ST 352-0 Social Network Analysis
or IEMS 341-0 Social Networks Analysis
COMP_SCI 352-0Machine Perception of Music & Audio
COMP_SCI 353-0Natural & Artificial Vision
COMP_SCI 397-0Special Projects in Computer Science (Transformative Computer Science Education)
COMM_ST 227-0Communication & Technology (*)
COMM_ST 378-0Online Communities and Crowds (*)
*while this class does not count as a Technical Elective, McCormick students (but not Weinberg students) can count it as an “Advanced Elective”.

Quantum

Course Title
COMP_SCI 336-0Design & Analysis of Algorithms
COMP_SCI 362-0Foundations of Quantum Computing and Quantum Information (**)
or COMP_SCI 462-0 Foundations of Quantum Computing and Quantum Information
COMP_SCI 496-0Special Topics in Computer Science (**Quantum Systems)
COMP_SCI 496-0Special Topics in Computer Science (Quantum Computer Applications and Programming)
COMP_ENG 495-0Special Topics in Computer Engineering (FPGA Design for Quantum Control*)
PHYSICS 339-2Quantum Mechanics (*)
*while this class does not count as a Technical Elective, McCormick students (but not Weinberg students) can count it as an “Advanced Elective”.
**These classes are especially recommended.

To fulfill a concentration, a student needs to have completed four classes from that concentration's list of courses within their Computer Science Major Courses (CS Breadth, Project and Technical Electives).

Honors in Computer Science

Outstanding students majoring in computer science may be considered for program honors. For information on criteria and procedures, contact the program director and see Honors in the Major.