Computer Science, B.S.
School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Program Overview
As a computer science student, you will learn the foundations of computer programming and develop a deep understanding of the design of computer systems and their processes and applications. Through a balanced program of commercial, scientific, and theoretical courses, you will become a competent programmer and analyst who can keep pace with rapid changes in the field.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2024–25 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (55–67.5 Credits)
A student excused, without credit, from a course may not take the course for credit later, except with permission of the chair.
The department chair, with the approval of the chair of the department’s undergraduate curriculum committee, may allow substitutions for one or more of these requirements consistent with the educational goals of the program.
Computer and Information Science 1115 or 1170.
All of the following: Computer and Information Science 2210, 3115, 3130, 3140, 3320, 3305 or 3310, 3142, 3220 or 3230, 4900 or 5001.
Computer and Information Science 2820W or Philosophy 3318W.
Three additional courses in Computer and Information Science chosen from courses numbered between 3000 and 4899.
All of the following: Mathematics 1006 and either Mathematics 1011 or 1012. Completion of some or all of these courses may be waived, conditional on the outcome of appropriate placement exams.
Mathematics 1201 and 1206, or [3.20 and 4.20] and 1211.
Transfer students who receive credit for Mathematics 3.20 and 4.20 are required to take Mathematics 1211 and either 2501 or 3501 to satisfy the mathematics requirement for the B.S. degree in computer science.
Additional Requirements
Candidates for a B.S. degree with a major in computer science (including computational mathematics and multimedia computing) must complete at least 60 credits in science and mathematics, 24 of which must be completed in advanced courses numbered 2000 and above in the Department of Computer and Information Science. For the B.S. degree in computational mathematics, these 24 credits must be in the Department of Computer and Information Science and/or the Department of Mathematics. These 24 credits must be completed at Brooklyn College with a grade of C or higher in each course. Specific course requirements for B.S. degrees in the department are described above. The following courses may be applied toward the 60 credits in science and mathematics:
- All courses in the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Information Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology.
- Courses marked with a number sign (#) in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences.
- Anthropology 2200, 3199, 3230, 3240, 3250, 3260, 3265, 3266, 3425, 3440, 3470, and 4665.
- Core Studies [5, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, and 8.2].
- Core Curriculum [1300 through 1399, 3301 through 3399]
- Economics 3400, 3410, 4410, 4422.
- Philosophy 3203, 3204, 3231, 3232, 3422, 3423, 3601, 3605, 3610.
- Kinesiology 3271, 3275, 3281, 3285, 4229, 4251.
- Sociology 2701.
Student Learning Outcomes
Goal 1: To Understand the Parts of a Computer and the Hardware-Software Interface.
- To understand different-base number notations and how numbers and characters are represented in a computer.
- To understand the parts of a computer and how they work together to perform computation.
- To understand the stored program concept, its strengths in performing computation, and its limits.
- To understand the organization of a computer operating system.
Goal 2: To Develop Computer Programming Skills.
- To effectively use programming constructs (variables, control structures, functions, and arrays)
- To gain skill in at least two programming languages.
- To use at least two different programming paradigms.
- To transform algorithms into programs.
- To understand the implementation and application of stacks, queues, lists, treesm and graphs and their use in developing programs.
- To understand the implementation of programming languages.
Goal 3: To understand, develop, and analyze algorithms.
- To develop algorithms.
- To utilize appropriate algorithms for sorting and searching.
- To analyze the efficiency of algorithms and programs.
- To compare two algorithms and programs for relative efficiency in terms of both time and space.
- To understand the limits of computation.
- To understand recurrences and recursion and recognize problems that can be solved via recursion.
Goal 4: To Gain Breadth in Several Areas of Computer Science.
- To formulate formal logical propositions and perform simple proofs.
- To gain familiarity with the history of computing.
- To gain knowledge about areas such as artificial intelligence, multimedia computing, methods of simulation, computer networking, database organization, and system simulation.
Goal 5: To Develop and Apply Appropriate Professional Skills and Practices
- To develop problem-solving skills.
- To develop, program, and advise on computer systems ethically and honestly.
- To utilize effective documentation techniques.
- To understand the ethical issues of computing and computational professionals.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
Contact
Joseph Thurm
2109 Ingersoll Hall
E: thurm@sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5657
Or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: adminqry@brooklyn.cuny.edu
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members in the Department of Computer and Information Science offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the computer science B.S. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- Amazon
- American Express
- Capital One
- IBM
- Infosys
- JP Morgan Chase & Co.
- New York City Department of Education
- New York City Tech Talent Pipeline
