Computer Science, B.A.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science.
Temple's B.A. in Computer Science provides an in-depth study of the science of computing, including mathematical/theoretical foundations as well as systems and application software development. Students are prepared (but not required) to take electives in topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computer vision, graphics, game programming, bioinformatics, databases, big data, mobile and web application development, cloud computing, high performance computing, wireless and sensor networks, network and information security, and digital forensics. Students who select the B.A. in Computer Science can often have a second major and still be able to graduate within four years. This program is for students with an interest in the fundamentals of computing, who want to apply their computer science knowledge to a second area of interest and/or contribute to innovative research and product development. Our students have careers in software development, systems analysis, and consulting; they are also prepared for graduate study and research in Computer and Information Sciences.
Undergraduate Contact Information:
Dr. Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Dr. Gene Kwatny, Vice Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
Sally Kyvernitis, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 330
215-204-2030
sallyk@temple.edu
Bachelor of Arts
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Students MUST take: CIS 3296 Software Design 4 The second writing intensive course can be chosen from: CIS 4397 Independent Research in Computer Science 3 CIS 4398 Projects in Computer Science 3 - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
- College Requirements
- 45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- Two (2) Upper Level (2000+) Liberal Art courses.
- Second (2nd) Level of a Foreign Language (1002).
- All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
- Major Requirements for Bachelor of Arts (55 s.h.)
At least 7 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 5 CIS courses must be completed at Temple.Course List Code Title Credit Hours Computer & Information Science courses CIS 1001 Introduction to Academics in Computer Science 1 CIS 1051 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 4 or CIS 1057 Computer Programming in C CIS 1068 Program Design and Abstraction 4 or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction CIS 1166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing I 4 or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I CIS 2107 Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming 4 CIS 2166 Mathematical Concepts in Computing II 4 CIS 2168 Data Structures 4 CIS 3207 Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems 4 CIS 3223 Data Structures and Algorithms 3 CIS 3296 Software Design 4 CIS 4397 Independent Research in Computer Science 3 or CIS 4398 Projects in Computer Science Mathematics courses MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II Laboratory Science courses Two (2) laboratory science courses 1 8 Total Credit Hours 55 1 Must select one Lab Science Sequence from the options listed below. Lab Science A and Lab Science B must be taken from the same department.
Sequenced Computer Science BA Laboratory Science Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biology Sequence | ||
Select one Biology Lab Science A: | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| Introduction to Organismal Biology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology (S) | ||
Select one Biology Lab Science B: | ||
| General Biology II | ||
| Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology | ||
| Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (F) | ||
| Chemistry Sequence 1 | ||
Select one Chemistry Lab Science A: | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry I and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F) | ||
Select one Chemistry Lab Science B: | ||
| Introduction to Chemistry II and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S) | ||
| Earth & Environmental Science Sequence 2 | ||
Select this Lab Science A: | ||
| Physical Geology | ||
Select one Lab Science B: | ||
| Mineralogy I (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Sedimentary Environments (no CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Physics Sequence 3 | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science A: | ||
| Introduction to General Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science B: | ||
| Introduction to General Physics II | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
| 1 | Students can choose to mix-and-match the Chemistry Sequence A and B courses. However, they must take at least 1 course from Chemistry Sequence A and 1 from Chemistry Sequence B. Note: Chemistry courses consist of a three-credit lecture plus a one-credit lab. |
| 2 | For the EES Sequence, two of the three Lab Science B options require students to take CHEM 1031 as a prerequisite, but EES 2021 does not. |
| 3 | Students can choose to mix-and-match the Physics Sequence A and B courses. However, they must take at least 1 course from Physics Sequence A and 1 from Physics Sequence B. |
Calculation of Major GPA
Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include CIS 1056, for example.
Distinction in Major
To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to have a 3.50 or higher grade point average (GPA) both in the major and overall, as well as be recommended by the department of Computer & Information Sciences.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2021-2022 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CIS 1001 | Introduction to Academics in Computer Science | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python | ||
| Computer Programming in C | ||
| MATH 1041 or 1941 | Calculus I | 4 |
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 1166 or 1966 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing I | 4 |
| CIS 1068 or 1968 | Program Design and Abstraction | 4 |
| MATH 1042 or 1942 | Calculus II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 2168 | Data Structures | 4 |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 2107 | Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming | 4 |
| CIS 2166 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing II | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 1-0 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3207 | Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | 4 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science A | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 3223 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science B | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3296 | Software Design [WI] | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] (Capstone course) | ||
| Projects in Computer Science [WI] | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 123 | |