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 Science 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 take electives (4-5 courses) 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. The program is for students with an interest in the fundamentals of computing, who want to be able to contribute to innovative research and product development. Our graduates 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-BS
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.
Accelerated Programs
Accelerated programs provide a pathway for students to pursue both an undergraduate degree and an advanced degree in a shorter amount of time. Below is a list of available accelerated programs for students in the BS in Computer Science.
- BS in Computer Science / MS in Computer Science
- BS in Computer Science / MS in Computational Data Science
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 Science 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 Science 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 All students MUST take: CIS 3296 Software Design 4 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).
- 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 Science (73-74 s.h.)
At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 7 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 2033 Computational Probability and Statistics 3 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 4398 Projects in Computer Science 1 3 or CIS 4397 Independent Research in Computer Science Computer Science Electives Select 15-16 credits from the following CS elective courses: 2 15-16 Special Topics in CIS Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Automata, Computability, and Languages Computer Architecture Computer Graphics and Image Processing Discrete Structures Web Application Programming Wireless Networks and Security Quality Assurance & Testing Cooperative Education Experience in Computer Science 3 Software Security Introduction to Mobile Application Development User Experience Design Introduction to Digital Forensics Principles of Data Science Independent Study 3 Real Time Computer Systems (Not offered every year) Introduction to Distributed Systems and Networks (Not offered every year) Development of Multi-tier Client/Server Systems (Not offered every year) Computer Networks and Communications Compiler Design (Not offered every year) Principles of Database Systems Introduction to Cloud Computing Seminar on Topics in Computer Science Seminar on Topics in Computer Science Independent Study 3 Independent Research in Computer Science (if not taken as capstone requirement) 1 or CIS 4398Projects in Computer Science Securing the Internet of Things Advanced Mobile Application Development Data-Intensive and Cloud Computing Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining Analysis and Modeling of Social and Information Networks Foundations of Machine Learning Ethical Hacking and Intrusion Forensics Mathematics 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 4 8 Total Credit Hours 73-74 - 1
GPA and other requirements are needed to register for CIS 4397.
- 2
Students can count one of the following as a CS elective course: MATH 2101 Linear Algebra, MATH 2103 Linear Algebra with Computer Lab, MATH 2043 Calculus III.
- 3
A maximum of eight (8) credits may be taken from CIS 3381, CIS 4282 and/or CIS 4382 to fulfill Computer Science elective requirements. In addition, a maximum of four (4) credits may be taken from CIS 3381 to fulfill Computer Science elective requirements.
- 4
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 BS 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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
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 | ||
General Physics I | ||
Honors General Physics I | ||
Select one Physics Lab Science B: | ||
Introduction to General Physics II | ||
Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
Honors Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
General Physics II | ||
Honors General Physics II |
- 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 Science in Computer Science
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 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 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 2033 | Computational Probability and Statistics | 3 |
CIS 2107 | Computer Systems and Low-Level Programming | 4 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
CIS 2166 | Mathematical Concepts in Computing II | 4 |
CIS 3207 | Introduction to Systems Programming and Operating Systems | 4 |
CS BS Laboratory Science A | 4 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
Elective | 1-0 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
CIS 3223 | Data Structures and Algorithms | 3 |
Computer Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
CS BS Laboratory Science B | 4 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Elective | 1 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
CIS 3296 | Software Design [WI] | 4 |
Computer Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
Computer Science Elective 1 | 4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Independent Research in Computer Science [WI] | ||
Projects in Computer Science [WI] | ||
Computer Science Elective 1 | 3-4 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3-2 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours | 123 |
- 1
Select from the Computer Science Electives list under Requirements.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated programs may be of interest to students in the Computer Science BS:
College of Science and Technology
Fox School of Business and Management