Computer Science (BA)

Department Website

Program Description

Computing plays an increasingly important role in almost all fields. It is a very diverse discipline that comprises both theory and applications and incorporates the design and analysis of computing technology. The Department of Computer Science is part of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, a world-renowned center for the study of mathematics and computer science.

The department offers four major programs: the computer science major, the joint computer science/data science major, the joint economics/computer science major, and the joint mathematics/computer science major. The department also offers three minor programs: the computer science minor, the web programming and applications minor, and the joint mathematics/computer science minor. The goal of the majors is to train students in fundamental principles of computer science as well as many practical aspects of software development. Courses combine practical programming experience with techniques for analyzing problems and designing computer algorithms. The goal of the minors is to train students to be proficient users of computers and computer software with less emphasis on the underlying technology and mathematical tools.

Advanced undergraduate students can work on a variety of research projects with the faculty. Outstanding undergraduates may pursue a master's degree through an accelerated five-year program.

Joint BS/BS Program with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering

The department offers CAS students a dual five-year BS/BS program with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Students in the program receive the BS degree in computer science from CAS and the BS degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering from NYU Tandon. See Programs for a list of joint BS/BS programs offered at CAS.

See Dual Degree Program in Engineering for more information or visit the College Advising Center, 726 Broadway, 7th floor; 212-998-8130.

Honors Program

A degree in computer science is awarded with honors to selected majors who successfully complete the requirements of the honors program. Students interested in graduate or professional school are especially urged to pursue honors. Interested students must consult with the directors of undergraduate studies in both departments for advisement and for permission to enter the honors program. Ideally, students should speak to the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science early in their sophomore year to begin planning for honors.

The requirements (fifteen courses/60 credits) include the following computer science courses:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Computer Science Courses
CSCI-UA 101	Intro to Computer Science	4
CSCI-UA 102	Data Structures	4
CSCI-UA 201	Computer Systems Org	4
CSCI-UA 202	Operating Systems	4
CSCI-UA 310	Basic Algorithms	4
CSCI-UA 421	Numerical Computing 1	4
CSCI-UA 453	Theory of Computation	4
CSCI-UA 520	Undergraduate Research	4
CSCI-UA 521	Undergraduate Research	4
Advanced Computer Science Electives
Select two 400 level advanced computer science electives		8
Mathematics Courses
MATH-UA 120	Discrete Mathematics	4
Select one of the following:		4
MATH-UA 121	Calculus I
MATH-UA 131	Mathematics for Economics I
Select one of the following: 2		4
MATH-UA 122	Calculus II
MATH-UA 132	Mathematics for Economics II
MATH-UA 140	Linear Algebra	4
Total Credits		60

¹

Note that students who have taken MATH-UA 252 Numerical Analysis must contact the director of undergraduate studies before registering for CSCI-UA 421 Numerical Computing.

²

Students must choose one calculus track or the other to follow and cannot mix courses from the two tracks.

Research work must culminate in a thesis (typically 40 to 60 pages in length) to be presented at the College’s Undergraduate Research Conference, held every April. An overall and major GPA of 3.65 is required.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.  For additional information about undergraduate admissions, including application requirements, see How to Apply. 

Program Requirements 

The major in computer science requires twelve 4-credit courses (48 credits) as outlined below.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
General Education Requirements
First-Year Seminar		4
EXPOS-UA 1	Writing as Inquiry	4
Foreign Language 1		16
Physical Science		4
Life Science		4
Texts and Ideas		4
Cultures and Contexts		4
Societies and the Social Sciences		4
Expressive Culture		4
Major Requirements
Computer Science Courses
CSCI-UA 2	Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience) 2	4
CSCI-UA 101	Intro to Computer Science	4
CSCI-UA 102	Data Structures	4
CSCI-UA 201	Computer Systems Org	4
CSCI-UA 202	Operating Systems	4
CSCI-UA 310	Basic Algorithms	4
Mathematics Courses
MATH-UA 120	Discrete Mathematics	4
Select one of the following: 3		4
MATH-UA 121	Calculus I
MATH-UA 131	Mathematics for Economics I
Electives
Select five elective credits from courses numbered CSCI-UA 4XX 4,5		20
Other Elective Credits		28
Total Credits		128

¹

The foreign language requirement is satisfied upon successful completion through the Intermediate level of a language. This may be accomplished in fewer than 16 credits, but those credits must then be completed as elective credit.

²

This course does not count towards the major but is a required prerequisite for CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science.

³

Students must choose one calculus track or the other and cannot mix courses from the two tracks.

⁴

Students may replace a 400-level elective with one of the following mathematics classes:

• MATH-UA 122 Calculus II (only for students following the Calculus track) or MATH-UA 132 Mathematics for Economics II (only for students following the Mathematics for Economics track). Students must choose one calculus track or the other and cannot mix courses from the two tracks.
• MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra
• MATH-UA 235 Probability & Statistics

A maximum of two MATH-UA classes can be substituted for 400-level electives. 

⁵

A minimum of three CSCI-UA 4XX electives must be completed with the CSCI-UA designation, totaling 12 credits.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
CSCI-UA 2	Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience)	4
MATH-UA 121	Calculus I	4
Texts and Ideas		4
First-Year Seminar		4
	Credits	16
2nd Semester/Term
CSCI-UA 101	Intro to Computer Science	4
MATH-UA 120	Discrete Mathematics	4
EXPOS-UA 1	Writing as Inquiry	4
Cultures and Contexts		4
	Credits	16
3rd Semester/Term
CSCI-UA 102	Data Structures	4
Physical Science		4
Foreign Language I		4
Expressive Culture		4
	Credits	16
4th Semester/Term
CSCI-UA 201	Computer Systems Org	4
Life Science		4
Foreign Language II		4
Societies and the Social Sciences		4
	Credits	16
5th Semester/Term
CSCI-UA 202	Operating Systems	4
CSCI-UA 310	Basic Algorithms	4
Foreign Language III		4
Other Elective Credits		4
	Credits	16
6th Semester/Term
Computer Science Major Elective (400-Level)		4
Computer Science Major Elective (400-Level)		4
Foreign Language IV		4
Other Elective Credits		4
	Credits	16
7th Semester/Term
Computer Science Major Elective (400-Level)		4
Computer Science Major Elective (400-Level)		4
Other Elective Credits		4
Other Elective Credits		4
	Credits	16
8th Semester/Term
Computer Science Major Elective (400-Level)		4
Other Elective Credits		4
Other Elective Credits		4
Other Elective Credits		4
	Credits	16
	Total Credits	128

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:

1. Skills in writing computer programs and designing software systems.
2. An understanding of the foundational algorithms and data structures used in computer software.
3. An understanding of what is going on "under the hood" of computer software in terms of the underlying computer architecture and operating systems.
4. Deeper knowledge of some specific areas of computer science and its applications.

Policies

Program Policies

Major Policies

1. A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill major requirements; courses graded Pass/Fail do not count toward the major.
2. To enroll in CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science students must first fulfill the prerequisite CSCI-UA 2 Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience) or CSCI-UA 3 Introduction to Computer Programming (Limited Prior Experience). Alternatively, they must first present a score of 3 on the AP Computer Science exam; students with a score of 4 or 5 may also register for CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science (they are encouraged but not obliged to start with CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures), but they will forfeit the AP credit. Finally, students may take a placement test given by the department to enter CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science.
3. Advanced Placement (AP) credit for Computer Science A is the equivalent of CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science and counts toward the major. A score of 4 or 5 on AP Computer Principles can be used as an equivalent to either CSCI-UA 2 Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience) or CSCI-UA 3 Introduction to Computer Programming (Limited Prior Experience). However, the AP exam in Computer Science Principles cannot count toward any major or minor in this department.
4. Students who score a 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science exam are encouraged to register for CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures but are not obliged to; they may choose to take CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science before CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures (and forfeit the AP credit).
5. Students will also lose AP credit if they take certain other courses in the department; this is noted in the relevant course descriptions.
6. Students are required to take CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science through CSCI-UA 201 Computer Systems Org in sequence.
7. Note that Albert will automatically block: students who complete CSCI-UA 2 Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience) with a C or better from registering for CSCI-UA 3 Introduction to Computer Programming (Limited Prior Experience); students who complete CSCI-UA 467 Applied Internet Technology with a C or better from registering for CSCI-UA 61 Web Development and Programming; and students who complete CSCI-UA 479 Data Management and Analysis with a C or better from registering for CSCI-UA 60 Database Design and Implementation.
8. CAS students (in any major or minor) are not permitted to take computer science courses in the Tandon School of Engineering.
9. Those interested in the honors program should start the major early enough to take major electives starting in the first semester of junior year.
10. Those interested in spending a semester away should work out their schedule with an adviser as early as possible.

Policy on Declaration of Major or Minor

Students must complete either CSCI-UA 101 Intro to Computer Science or CSCI-UA 102 Data Structures (depending on placement) with a grade of C or better before they can declare the major or minor in computer science; the joint majors with economics and mathematics; and the joint minor with mathematics. To declare the joint major in computer and data science, students must first meet this prerequisite and also complete either DS-UA 111 Data Science for Everyone or DS-UA 112 Principles of Data Science (depending on placement) with a grade of C or better. To declare the minor in web programming and applications, students must first complete their choice of either (1) CSCI-UA 2 Introduction to Computer Programming (No Prior Experience) or CSCI-UA 3 Introduction to Computer Programming (Limited Prior Experience) (depending on placement) or (2) CSCI-UA 4 Introduction to Web Design and Computer Principles with a grade of C or better. These policies apply to all NYU students, not just to those matriculated in CAS.

School of Engineering courses

CAS students (in any major or minor) are not permitted to take computer science courses in the Tandon School of Engineering.

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

College of Arts and Science Policies

A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.