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  

  1. 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:
      Students MUST take:
      CIS 3296Software Design4
      The second writing intensive course can be chosen from:
      CIS 4397Independent Research in Computer Science3
      CIS 4398Projects in Computer Science3
    • 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
    Computer & Information Science courses
    CIS 1001Introduction to Academics in Computer Science1
    CIS 1051Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python4
    or CIS 1057 Computer Programming in C
    CIS 1068Program Design and Abstraction4
    or CIS 1968 Honors Program Design and Abstraction
    CIS 1166Mathematical Concepts in Computing I4
    or CIS 1966 Honors Mathematical Concepts in Computing I
    CIS 2107Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming4
    CIS 2166Mathematical Concepts in Computing II4
    CIS 2168Data Structures4
    CIS 3207Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems4
    CIS 3223Data Structures and Algorithms3
    CIS 3296Software Design4
    CIS 4397Independent Research in Computer Science3
    or CIS 4398 Projects in Computer Science
    Mathematics courses
    MATH 1041Calculus I4
    or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I
    MATH 1042Calculus II4
    or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II
    Laboratory Science courses
    Two (2) laboratory science courses 18
    Total Credit Hours55

Sequenced Computer Science BA Laboratory Science Requirements

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)

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 2022-2023 Academic Year

Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CIS 1001Introduction to Academics in Computer Science1
Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python 
Computer Programming in C 
MATH 1041 or 1941Calculus I4
SCTC 1001CST First Year Seminar1
ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]4
Elective1
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CIS 1166 or 1966Mathematical Concepts in Computing I4
CIS 1068 or 1968Program Design and Abstraction4
MATH 1042 or 1942Calculus II4
IH 0851 or 0951Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY]3
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 2
Fall
CIS 2168Data Structures4
IH 0852 or 0952Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ]3
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
CIS 2107Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming4
CIS 2166Mathematical Concepts in Computing II4
GenEd Breadth Course3-4
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective1-0
 Term Credit Hours15
Year 3
Fall
CIS 3207Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems4
CS BA Laboratory Science A4
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective3
Elective1
 Term Credit Hours15
Spring
CIS 3223Data Structures and Algorithms3
CS BA Laboratory Science B4
GenEd Breadth Course3
Elective3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours16
Year 4
Fall
CIS 3296Software Design [WI]4
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following:3
Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] (Capstone course) 
Projects in Computer Science [WI] 
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective3
 Term Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours: 123