This section describes the core courses and electives that are required for a B.A. or
B.S. in computer science. A five year Master's degree in computer science is available
through a combined Trinity College - and the Computer Science Department at Rensselaer at
Hartford. This document also describes integrated tracks in the computer science major.
Computer science is a broad discipline that employs a variety of approaches in an effort
to advance our understanding and use of computing. Study in computer science can range
from mathematical work aimed at understanding the theoretical and practical limits of what
can be computed, to experimental work aimed at understanding the functioning of existing
computer languages and systems, to design work aimed at building algorithms and computer
systems that help people solve problems.
The computer science major is designed to provide students with a broad background in the
field. A major in computer science would provide an adequate preparation for a wide
variety of career paths, ranging from graduate study in computer science or closely
related disciplines to technical or management positions in industries that depend heavily
on information processing.
Computer science can also be studied as a means of acquiring problem solving, reasoning
and design skills that can be applied successfully in other disciplines. The Computer
Coordinate major and the Applications of Computing minor are two formal ways of combining
an interest in computing with study in another discipline.
The Computer Science Major
The computer science major requires thirteen courses consisting of Mathematics 131,
Mathematics 132, Computer Science 115L, Computer Science 203, Computer Science 215L,
either Computer Science 403 or Computer Science 404, plus 7 electives. The electives may
be chosen from Computer Science courses numbered greater than 215 and less than 399 plus
Mathematics 252, Mathematics 255, and Computer Science 415. The electives chose must
include either Computer Science 219 or Computer Science 320 and either Computer Science
230 or Computer Science 316. Students considering doing graduate work in computer science
should elect all four of these courses.JA minimum grade of C- must be maintained in the
required computer science and in the seven electives.
Mathematics Requirements: |
- Mathematics 131- Calculus I (prerequisite: Appropriate grade on the Math
Placement Exam or Mathematics 109)
- Mathematics 132- Calculus II (prerequisite: Mathematics 131)
Required Computer Science Courses |
- Computer Science 115L-Introduction to Computing
- Computer Science203-Mathematical Foundations of Computing (prerequisite: Computer
Science 115L and Mathematics 131)
- Computer Science 215L-Data Structures and Algorithms (prerequisite: Computer
Science 115L)
Required Theory Course (choose 1)
- Computer Science 219-Theory of Computation (prerequisite: Computer Science 115L
and either Computer Science 203 or a mathematics course numbered above 200)-offered
alternate years
- Computer Science 320-Analysis of Algorithms (prerequisite: Computer Science 215L
and either Computer Science 203 or a mathematics course numbered above 200)-offered
alternate years
Required Systems Course (choose 1)
- Computer Science 230L-Machine Organization and Assembly Language (prerequisite:
Computer Science 215L)-offered alternate years
- Computer Science 316L-Foundations of Programming Languages (prerequisite:
Computer Science 215L)-offered alternate years
Required Seminar (choose 1)
- Computer Science 403-Computer Science Seminar (prerequisite: permission of
instructor)-offered every fall.
- Computer Science 404-Computer Science Seminar (prerequisite: permission of
instructor)-offered every spring.
Computer Science Electives (any 7, including any from the Theory
or Systems groups) |
- Computer Science 304-Graphical Software: Design and Implementation (prerequisite:
Computer Science 215L)
- Computer Science 315-Systems Software (prerequisite: Computer Science 230L)
- Computer Science 352-Artificial Intelligence (prerequisite: Computer Science
215L)-same as Psychology 352
- Computer Science 365-Distributed Computing (prerequisite: Computer Science 230)
- Computer Science 371-Compiler Theory (prerequisite: Computer Science 316L or
Computer Science 230L
- Computer Science 372-Database Fundamentals (prerequisite: Computer Science 215L)
- Computer Science 415-Special Topics in Computing
- Mathematics 252-Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (prerequisites: Computer
Science 115L and 1 year of calculus)
- Mathematics 255-Numerical Analysis (prerequisites: Computer Science 115L and
Mathematics 132)
