Computer Science Major or Minor

The major in computer science has the following goals:

To give the broad-based scientific and theoretical training needed as a foundation for a rewarding and successful career in computer science. This includes fundamental conceptual material that transcends current technology and exposure to the best of current practice.
To foster discipline and orderly thinking that is used by computer scientists to reach insightful and logical understandings.
To develop the knowledge and skills needed to exchange ideas with colleagues, specialists in other fields, and the general public.
To acquaint students with the social and ethical implications of computer technology.

Requirements of the major

All majors take two required introductory courses, five required fundamentals courses, and three required mathematics courses.

Each major also chooses one of three possible tracks. These tracks allow majors to emphasize an area of interest. Each track has three required courses associated with it. The systems track emphasizes the hardware and software that embody computer systems. The cognitive track emphasizes the relationship between computation and intelligence, as embodied in humans, animals, and machines. The mathematics track emphasizes the relationship between computer science and mathematics.

Each major must choose two additional elective courses from CS courses numbered 300 or higher.

Majors must include at least one semester of a lab science toward completing their core requirement in the natural sciences.

Students who are interested in double majoring in computer science and mathematics should meet with either the chair of mathematics or the program director of computer science about course reductions.

Required Introductory Courses	(2 courses - 8 credits)
CS 141 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming I	(four credits)
CS 142 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming II	(four credits)

Required Fundamentals Courses	(5 courses - 15 credits)
CS 232 Data Structures
CS 221 Computer Organization and Assembler
CS/MA 231 Discrete Mathematics
CS/MA 342 Theory of Computation
CS 353 Principles of Compiler Design

One Set of Required Track Courses	(3 courses - 9 credits)
(a) Systems track courses
CS 322 Computer Architecture
CS 331 Operating Systems
CS 354 Theory of Programming Languages
(b) Cognitive track courses
CS 343 Analysis of Algorithms
CS 355 Artificial Intelligence
CS 391 Cognitive Science Seminar
(c) Mathematics track courses
CS 343 Analysis of Algorithms
MA 217 Applied Statistics
CS/MA 377 Numerical Analysis

Electives*	(2 courses - 6 credits)
CS 322 Computer Architecture
CS 324 Microprocessors
CS 331 Operating Systems
CS 343 Analysis of Algorithms
CS 351 Database Management System Design
CS 354 Theory of Programming Languages
CS 355 Artificial Intelligence
CS 391 Cognitive Science Seminar
* With permission of the director, systems track students may take an engineering course, including CR 245 Digital Design I and lab, CR 246 Digital Design II, CR 320 Computer Networks, or CR 325 Computer Graphics, as one of their electives.

Required Mathematics Courses	(3 courses - 11 credits)
MA 171 Differential Calculus	(four credits)
MA 172 Integral Calculus	(four credits)
MA 235 Linear Algebra
Note: Evening courses and courses offered through Fairfield University's School of Engineering may not be used toward the computer science major without the written permission of the director of the computer science program.

Typical Timeline for Majors

	Credits
	Fall	Spring
First Year
CS 141-142 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming	4	4
MA 171-172 Differential/Integral Calculus	4	4

Sophomore Year
CS 232 Data Structures	3
CS 231 Discrete Mathematics	3
CS 221 Computer Organization and Assembler		3
MA 235 Linear Algebra		3

Junior Year
CS 342 Theory of Computation		3
CS track or elective courses	6	3

Senior Year
CS 353 Principles of Compiler Design	3
CS track or elective courses	3	3

Minor in Computer Science

To earn a 17-credit minor in computer science, students complete:

CS 141 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming I
(4 credits)
CS 142 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming II
(4 credits)
CS 221 Computer Organization and Assembler
CS 232 Data Structures
One additional CS course numbered 300 or higher.

Internships

The internship program provides computer science majors with an opportunity to gain practical, career-related experience in a variety of supervised field settings. Internships can be in any one of a number of areas, such as software applications or hardware applications. Internships may be for one or two semesters. Interns are expected to work a minimum of 10 hours per week on-site and complete the required academic component specified by the faculty advisor. An internship may not replace a computer science elective to fulfill the requirement for a major in computer science.