Computer Science

Computer Science majors learn about algorithms, data structures, programming languages, operating systems, and the theory of computation, and just a few of the areas they can explore are artificial intelligence, scientific computing, computational biology, computer graphics, computer vision, databases, and networks.

Undergraduates in all seven undergraduate colleges/schools at Cornell (Agriculture and Life Sciences, Architecture, Art and Planning, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Hotel Administration, Human Ecology, and the School of Industrial and Labor Relations) have the option of completing a Minor/Concentration in Computer Science. The minor/concentration provides an excellent opportunity for students who may want to certify that they have accomplished some depth of study in Computer Science, but who are unable to complete the full Computer Science major.

The program for Computer Science majors is broad and rigorous, but it is structured in a way that supports in-depth study of outside areas. Intelligent course selection can set the stage for graduate study or employment in any technical or professional area, including such areas as business, law, or medicine. With the advisor, the computer science major is expected to put together a coherent program of study that supports career objectives and is true to the aims of a liberal education.

• MATH 1910 - Calculus for Engineers
• MATH 1920 - Multivariable Calculus for Engineers
• MATH 2940 - Linear Algebra for Engineers

Three courses in introductory computing:

• CS 1110 - Introduction to Computing Using Python

• or

• CS 1112 - Introduction to Computing Using MATLAB
• CS 2110 - Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures (crosslisted)

Note:

CS 1114 and CS 1115 are honors-level substitutes for CS 1112, and CS 2112 is an honors-level substitute for CS 2110.

A five-course computer science core:

• CS 2800 - Discrete Structures
• CS 3110 - Data Structures and Functional Programming

•  

• CS 3410 - Computer System Organization and Programming or
• CS 3420 - Embedded Systems (crosslisted)

•  

• CS 4410 - Operating Systems
• CS 4820 - Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms

Three 4000+ level computer science electives:

(CS 4090 and CS 4999 not allowed).

A computer science project course:

• CS 4121 - [Practicum in Compilers]
• CS 4321 - Practicum in Database Systems
• CS 4411 - Practicum in Operating Systems
• CS 4621 - Computer Graphics Practicum
• CS 4701 - Practicum in Artificial Intelligence
• CS 4758 - [Robot Learning] (crosslisted)
• CS 5150 - Software Engineering
• CS 5152 - Open-Source Software Engineering
• CS 5412 - [Cloud Computing]
• CS 5414 - Distributed Computing Principles
• CS 5431 - Practicum in System Security
• CS 5625 - [Interactive Computer Graphics]
• CS 5643 - [Physically Based Animation for Computer Graphics]
• CS 6670 - Computer Vision

Three 3000+ level courses:

(only one of ENGRD 2700 or MATH 2930 accepted) that are technical in nature, as determined by the major.

A three-course “external specialization” in a topic area other than computer science:

• all numbered at the 3000+ level

One of:

• BTRY 3080 - Probability Models and Inference (crosslisted)
• CS 4850 - Mathematical Foundations for the Information Age
• ECE 3100 - Introduction to Probability and Inference for Random Signals and Systems(crosslisted)
• ECON 3130 - Statistics and Probability
• ENGRD 2700 - Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics
• MATH 4710 - Basic Probability

An elective requirement consisting of a single 3+ credit course or a combination of courses coming to 3+ credits total:

Roughly speaking, all academic courses (inside or outside of CS) count. No PE courses, courses numbered 10xx, or ROTC courses below the 3000 level are allowed.

Note:

All the major electives described above must be courses of at least 3 credits, with the exception of the CS project course, which is at least 2 credits, or as otherwise specified.

Additionally, students’ course selections must satisfy the requirements of at least one “vector” or CS–centric specialization, defined by the department. The set of vectors includes artificial intelligence, computational science and engineering, graphics, network science, programming languages, software engineering, system/databases, theory, and a broad “Renaissance” vector. See www.cs.cornell.edu/undergrad for the requirements of each vector and updates.

The program is broad and rigorous, but it is structured in a way that supports in-depth study of outside areas. Intelligent course selection can set the stage for graduate study or employment in any technical area or any professional area such as business, law, or medicine. With the advisor, the computer science major is expected to put together a coherent program of study that supports career objectives and is true to the aims of a liberal education.

Requirements

• SAT or the ACT —CALS does not have SAT/ACT score requirements
• Landscape Architecture: Portfolio required
• International Students: TOEFL (score of 100 or better) or IELTS (score of 7) required
• The Common Application (CA) or Universal College Application (UCA)
• The School Report
• Counselor Recommendation
• Two Teacher Evaluations
• The Midyear Report, when your mid-year grades are available
• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Official secondary/high school transcript
• Cornell University Questions and Writing Supplement (CA) or Cornell Supplement (UCA)

Scholarships

• Cornell University Grant
• Endowed Scholarships