Overview
Science and technology are the foundations of our future. The Department of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) is focused on the understanding of fundamental scientific principles and the application of these principles to solving complex problems, using computing technology.
The Bachelor of Arts 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 BA 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.
Campus Locations: Main, Japan
Program Code: ST-CSCI-BA
Distinction in Major
To graduate with distinction in this major, a student must satisfy the following criteria:
- have a minimum 3.50 major GPA
- have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA
Undergraduate Contact Information
Yu Wang, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450
John Fiore, 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
Temple Japan Campus
Hady Kahy, PhD, Chair for the Division of Business and Technology
hkahy@tuj.temple.edu
Hani Karam, PhD, Faculty Advisor for the Computer Science Major
hkaram@tuj.temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
- Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
- All undergraduate students must complete at least two writing-intensive courses for a total of at least six credits 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
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- A minimum of 45 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above).
- A minimum of 6 of these credits must be upper-level (courses numbered 2000 and above) CLA credits.
- Successful completion or waiver from the second level of a foreign language.
- Complete a one-credit first-year or transfer seminar.
- A minimum of 90 total credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), and/or the College of Engineering (ENG).
- 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 Select one of the following: 4 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python or CIS 1951Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 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 Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes | ||
| Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes | ||
| 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 | ||
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) | ||
| Natural Hazards (no CHEM 1031 prerequisite) | ||
| Physics Sequence 2 | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science A: | ||
| Introduction to General Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I (F) | ||
| 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 (S) | ||
| 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
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.
Suggested Academic Plan
Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 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 or Honors Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python | ||
| Computer Programming in C | ||
| MATH 1041 or MATH 1941 | Calculus I or Honors Calculus I | 4 |
| SCTC 1001 | CST First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 1166 or CIS 1966 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing I or Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I | 4 |
| CIS 1068 or CIS 1968 | Program Design and Abstraction or Honors Program Design and Abstraction | 4 |
| MATH 1042 or MATH 1942 | Calculus II or Honors Calculus II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 2168 | Data Structures | 4 |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| 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 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3207 | Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | 4 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science A | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 1001 - First Level | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 3223 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science B | 4 | |
| Foreign Language 1002 - Second Level | 4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3296 | Software Design [WI] | 4 |
| Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] (Capstone course) | ||
| Projects in Computer Science [WI] | ||
| Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |