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.)
- MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
- All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing intensive courses at Temple as part of their major: CIS 3296 and either CIS 4397 or CIS 4398.
- 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 typically 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) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
- 90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST) or the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
- Two (2) Upper Level (2000+) Liberal Art courses.
- Second (2nd) Level of a Foreign Language (1002).
- First Year Seminar Requirement: All students in the College of Science & Technology (CST) are required to take a 1 credit first year seminar course, SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
- 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 (both have co-requisite): | ||
| Mineralogy I (with CHEM 1031 co-requisite) | ||
| Introduction to Geochemistry (with CHEM 1031 co-requisite) | ||
| 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 | The Earth & Environmental Science (EES) sequence will require students to take CHEM 1031 as a co-requisite to either of the two EES Sequence B courses. |
| 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 2020-2021 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 |
| General Education/Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| 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 |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 2168 | Data Structures | 4 |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 11 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 2107 | Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming | 4 |
| CIS 2166 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing II | 4 |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 7 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3207 | Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | 4 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science A | 4 | |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 7 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 3223 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
| CS BA Laboratory Science B | 4 | |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 8 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3296 | Software Design [WI] | 4 |
| General Education/Elective Credits | 12 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] (Capstone course) | ||
| Projects in Computer Science [WI] | ||
| General Education/Elective Credits | 13 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 123 | |