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2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Computer Science, BS
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 Return to: Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
In keeping with the mission statement of Watson College, the Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science (BS CS) strives to provide its graduates with a firm grounding in the fundamentals of computer science, elements of practical application, and an appreciation for liberal learning. At its core, the degree program aims to provide all graduates with an understanding of the theory and practice of automating the representation, storage, and processing of information. With the understanding that CS graduates will pursue a wide variety of career paths upon graduation, it is the program’s goal to also provide students with the opportunity to pursue specific interests within computer science and/or interests in other disciplines.
The BS in Computer Science offers two optional tracks: Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the BS in Computer Science program will be:
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Successful in their profession in leadership or supporting positions, in which they exercise and apply their technical computer science background. These positions will use their skills in problem-solving and software or systems development.
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Capable of working well in teams, communicating effectively, and meeting the social and ethical responsibilities of their profession.
- Engaged in lifelong learning relevant to their profession, including earning advanced degrees based on their computer science background or completing professional training.
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Admission Requirements
The School of Computing serves incoming first year students, community college graduates, and transfer students from other institutions seeking a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. The School welcomes incoming first-year students with or without prior computer science experience. Unlike most other majors on campus, students need to apply directly to the computer science major instead of applying directly to Watson College.
University General Education Requirements
All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.
Watson College Requirements
For Watson College requirements, please refer to the Requirements for Degrees section in the Watson College Undergraduate Information.
Major Requirements
To receive the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, students must earn a minimum of 126 credit hours, including transfer credits, with a minimum 2.0 (C) grade-point average in computer science major courses and a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0. A minimum of 40 credits must be earned in courses taught in Watson College. All courses must be taken for a normal letter grade, unless a course is only offered Pass/Fail; an exception is made for a maximum of four free-elective credits in liberal arts and science. A grade of C- or better in required computer science courses is needed to satisfy prerequisites for computer science courses, except for CS 301.
Credit Requirements
A minimum of 126 semester credits, of which:
- A minimum of 60 credits must be in liberal arts and sciences courses.
- A minimum of 40 credits must be earned in courses taught in Watson College.
- A minimum of 45 credits must be completed at the 300-level or above.
1. Communications (8 credits):
2. Humanities/Social Science Electives (20 credits):
- A single course cannot be counted in both Block 1 (Communications) and Block 2 (Humanities/Social Science Electives).
3. Science (8 or 10* credits):
Choose one of the following two-course or three-course sequences:
4. Mathematics (20 credits):
One elective chosen from:
5. Math or Science Elective (4 credits):
- MATH 323 - Calculus III or a science elective chosen from courses that meet the General Education Laboratory Science requirement.
6. Free Electives (12 or 14* credits):
- At least four credits must be in liberal arts and science.
- At most, one free elective in liberal arts and science may be taken Pass/Fail instead of a letter grade.
- At most, two credits of activity/wellness may be used as free elective credit.
7. Computer Science Courses (52 credits):
Computer Science electives (at least 15 credits) chosen from areas A, B, C, D, and E below:
- At least one course must be chosen from each of the areas A, B, and C, and courses with multiple areas count as meeting all the areas indicated.
- Courses from areas D and E are optional.
- At most, one course can be taken from area E**.
Areas:
A: Networking and Communications
B: Large Software Development
C: Data and Information Management
D: Other courses
E: Internship, Co-op, Research
- CS 402 - Software & Eng. Project Mgmt (D)
- CS 415 - Social Media Data Sci Pipeline (C)
- CS 417 - Intr to Human Comp Interaction (C)
- CS 424 - Intelligent Mobile Robotics (D)
- CS 426 - Internet of Things (A)
- CS 427 - Mobile Systems Security (A)
- CS 428 - Computer Networks (A, B)
- CS 432 - Database Systems (B, C)
- CS 433 - Information Retrieval (B, C)
- CS 435 - Introduction To Data Mining (C)
- CS 436 - Intro to Machine Learning (C)
- CS 440 - Adv Topics - Obj Oriented Prog (A, B)
- CS 441 - Game Dev For Mobile Platforms (D)
- CS 442 - Design Patterns (A, B)
- CS 444 - Programming for the Web (A, B)
- CS 445 - Software Engineering (D)
- CS 447 - High Performance Computing (A, B)
- CS 451 - Systems Programming (A, B)
- CS 452 - Intro to Cloud Computing (A)
- CS 453 - Software Security (D)
- CS 455 - Intro to Visual Info Processin (B, C)
- CS 456 - Intro to Computer Vision (D)
- CS 457 - Intro To Distributed Systems (A, B)
- CS 458 - Intro to Computer Security (A)
- CS 459 - Science of Cyber Security (D)
- CS 460 - Computer Graphics (B)
- CS 461 - Topics in Data Privacy (C)
- CS 465 - Intro to Artificial Intelligen (C)
- CS 472 - Compiler Design (B)
- CS 476 - Program Models Emerg Platforms (B)
- CS 480 Any approved CS topics course and any future-approved CS 400-level course (D, others as appropriate)
Area E Courses: To count as a CS elective, Area E courses must be taken for at least three credits:
Notes:
* The total of the Science and Free Elective credits (Blocks 3 and 6) should be 22 credits.
** For students conditionally accepted to the BS CS/MBA 4+1 program, MGMT 501 - Accounting counts as a CS elective in area E.
BS in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Track
To complete the artificial intelligence track in the BS in Computer Science, students must replace four CS electives with the following courses. Students select their fifth CS elective from the School of Computing list of CS Electives. Some courses in this track also satisfy the requirements for computer science electives in one or more areas (A, B, C). For convenience, we place the area(s) for each course in parentheses following the course. Students must still complete at least one course from each of the areas A, B, and C, and at most, one course can be taken from area E.
Two required artificial intelligence courses:
Two artificial intelligence electives chosen from the following list:
BS in Computer Science with Cybersecurity Track
To complete the Cybersecurity track in the BS in Computer Science, students must replace four CS electives with the following courses. Students select their fifth CS elective from the School of Computing list of CS Electives. Some courses in this track also satisfy the requirements for computer science electives in one or more areas (A, B, C). For convenience, we place the area(s) for each course in parentheses following the course. Students must still complete at least one course from each of the areas A, B, and C, and at most, one course can be taken from area E.
Two required cybersecurity courses:
Two cybersecurity electives chosen from the following list:
Prerequisites
The following courses, or their equivalent(s), are required prerequisites for courses in the major:
- If a student does not have sufficient programming experience to be placed into CS 120 and CS 210, then CS 110 is required.
- If students do not place into MATH 224, then MATH 223 (or its equivalent) and, if needed, MATH 108 (or its equivalent) and, if needed, MATH 107 (or its equivalent) and, if needed, MATH 106 (or its equivalent) are required prerequisites for completion of the major.
- Students who have not had adequate course preparation may need to take CHEM 100 prior to taking CHEM 104, CHEM 105, and CHEM 106.
- Students who take MATH 448 to meet the BS in Computer Science degree requirement must take MATH 323 and MATH 447 as prerequisites.
Artificial Intelligence Micro-Credential
Undergraduate CS seniors are eligible to earn this micro-credential by completing four graduate courses specified in the Artificial Intelligence Micro-Credential Program.
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Return to: Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
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