Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Physics is an interdisciplinary program offered by the Department of Physics in conjunction with the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. This program is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within their normal four-year career. The program will prepare students for a career in a computer-related field and/or physics research.

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: ST-CSPH-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
• carry out an independent study or undergraduate thesis project.

Consult the faculty advisor for more details.

​Undergraduate Contact Information

Department of Computer and Information Sciences
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

Andrew Rosen, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 349
215-204-3193
andrew.rosen@temple.edu

Department of Physics
Maria Iavarone, Chair
Science Education and Research Center, Room 440
215-204-7634

Matthew Newby, Faculty Advisor
Science Education and Research Center, Room 476
215-204-2642
matthew.newby@temple.edu

Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Physics.

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

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:

     Course List

     Code	Title	Credit Hours
     CIS 3296	Software Design	4
     CIS 4397	Independent Research in Computer Science	3
     CIS 4398	Projects in Computer Science	3
     PHYS 2796	Introduction to Modern Physics (S)	4
     PHYS 4796	Experimental Physics (S)	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.
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).
   • 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 the Bachelor of Science (77-78 s.h.)
   At least 11 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 4 Computer Science and 5 Physics courses must be completed at Temple.

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   Mathematics Courses
   MATH 1041	Calculus I	4
   or MATH 1941	Honors Calculus I
   MATH 1042	Calculus II	4
   or MATH 1942	Honors Calculus II
   MATH 2043	Calculus III	4
   or MATH 2943	Honors Calculus III
   Computer Science Courses
   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
   Select one of the following:		3-4
   CIS 3296	Software Design 1
   CIS 3000+ Elective 1,2
   Physics Courses
   Select one of the following:		4
   PHYS 1061	Elementary Classical Physics I
   PHYS 1961	Honors Elementary Classical Physics I
   PHYS 2021	General Physics I
   PHYS 2921	Honors General Physics I (F)
   Select one of the following:		4
   PHYS 1062	Elementary Classical Physics II
   PHYS 1962	Honors Elementary Classical Physics II
   PHYS 2022	General Physics II
   PHYS 2922	Honors General Physics II (S)
   PHYS 2101	Classical Mechanics (S)	3
   PHYS 3511	Scientific Computing II	1.5
   PHYS 4511	Scientific Computing III	1.5
   PHYS 2502	Mathematical Physics (S)	4
   PHYS 2796	Introduction to Modern Physics (S)	4
   PHYS 3301	Electricity and Magnetism (F)	4
   PHYS 3701	Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (S)	3
   Select one of the following:		3
   PHYS 4101	Thermal Physics (F)
   Physics Elective 2
   Capstone Course
   Select one of the following:		3
   CIS 4397	Independent Research in Computer Science
   CIS 4398	Projects in Computer Science 1
   PHYS 4796	Experimental Physics (S)
   Total Credit Hours		77-78

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credit Hours
   (F) - Fall only course
   (S) - Spring only course

   ¹

   CIS 3296 is the prerequisite for CIS 4398 and should be taken as a 3000+ Computer & Information Science elective if you plan to take CIS 4398 as the capstone course.

   ²

   Electives are chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Suggested Academic Plan

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Physics

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

¹

CIS 3296 is the prerequisite for CIS 4398 and should be taken as a 3000+ Computer & Information Science elective if you plan to take CIS 4398 as the capstone course.

²

Electives are chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.