Computer Science BA

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 Location: Main

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 and
  • have a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA.

​Undergraduate Contact Information

Jamie Payton, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 304
215-204-8450

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

Temple Japan Campus

Hady Kahy, PhD, Interim Chair of the Division of Business and Technology
hkahy@tuj.temple.edu

Hani Karam, PhD, Faculty Advisor for the Computer Science Major
hkaram@tuj.temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science.

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

Summary of Requirements for the Degree

  1. 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:
      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
    • 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.
      • SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar for every entering first-year CST student.
      • SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar for every entering transfer CST student.
  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
    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

Biology Sequence
Select one Biology Lab Science A:
BIOL 1011
General Biology I
BIOL 1111
Introduction to Organismal Biology
BIOL 1911
Honors Introduction to Organismal Biology (S)
Select one Biology Lab Science B:
BIOL 1012
General Biology II
BIOL 1112
Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
BIOL 1912
Honors Introduction to Biomolecules, Cells and Genomes
BIOL 2112
Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
BIOL 2912
Honors Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology (F)
Chemistry Sequence 1
Select one Chemistry Lab Science A:
CHEM 1021
& CHEM 1023
Introduction to Chemistry I
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1031
& CHEM 1033
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 1951
& CHEM 1953
Honors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)
Select one Chemistry Lab Science B:
CHEM 1022
& CHEM 1024
Introduction to Chemistry II
and Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1032
& CHEM 1034
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 1952
& CHEM 1954
Honors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)
Earth & Environmental Science Sequence 2
Select this Lab Science A:
EES 2001
Physical Geology
Select one Lab Science B:
EES 2011
Mineralogy I (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
EES 2021
Sedimentary Environments (no CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
EES 2061
Introduction to Geochemistry (with CHEM 1031 prerequisite)
Physics Sequence 3
Select one Physics Lab Science A:
PHYS 1021
Introduction to General Physics I
PHYS 1061
Elementary Classical Physics I
PHYS 1961
Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F)
PHYS 2021
General Physics I
PHYS 2921
Honors General Physics I (F)
Select one Physics Lab Science B:
PHYS 1022
Introduction to General Physics II
PHYS 1062
Elementary Classical Physics II
PHYS 1962
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S)
PHYS 2022
General Physics II
PHYS 2922
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.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredit Hours
CIS 1001 Introduction to Academics in Computer Science 1
Select one of the following: 4
CIS 1051
 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python  
CIS 1057
 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
or ENG 0812
or ENG 0902
 Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW]
or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW]
 4
Elective 1
 Credit Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours15
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 Hours15
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 Hours16
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 Hours16
Spring
Select one of the following: 3
CIS 4397
 Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] (Capstone course)  
CIS 4398
 Projects in Computer Science [WI]  
Upper-level CLA Course (numbered 2000 and above) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123