Computer Science

The Computer Science major is comprehensive, from theory to applications to system-building. We teach not just how to program, but how to approach problems computationally, and how to devise appropriate solutions. Undergraduates majoring in Computer Science will have opportunities to participate with faculty in activities outside formal coursework. These activities include assisting in courses, writing a thesis or doing a project under the guidance of a faculty member, and assisting a faculty member in research or in a programming project. The major in Computer Science is intended for those students who plan careers in Computer Science or in fields that make use of computing, for those who plan graduate study in Computer Science, and also for those who simply find Computer Science interesting. Undergraduates majoring in Computer Science will have opportunities to participate with faculty in activities outside formal coursework. These activities include assisting in courses, writing a thesis or doing a project under the guidance of a faculty member, and assisting a faculty member in research or in a programming project.

Requirements for the Computer Science Major
Prerequisite courses: COSC 1 (Introduction to Programming and Computation) or ENGS 20 (Introduction to Scientific Computing); COSC 10 (Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming).
Requirements: A student who wishes to major in Computer Science must obtain approval of her or his program of study from the Departmental Undergraduate Advisor. To complete the major, it is necessary to pass at least ten courses in addition to taking the two prerequisite courses. Among these ten courses must be the following:

• Two theory or algorithms courses (30-49)
• Two systems or hardware courses (50-69)
• Two applied computer science courses (70-89) Three elective courses (drawn from 30-89, and with approval from the Undergraduate Advisor, one mathematics course or one term of COSC 94 may substitute for one course from 30-89) 
• Computer Science culminating experience: either two terms of COSC 98, or one or two terms of COSC 97 (Thesis Research) or COSC 99 (Honors Thesis Research).

The Computer Science, Computational Methods, and Operations Research minors are available to all students who are not majoring in Computer Science and who do not have a modified major with Computer Science. The Digital Arts minor is available to all students, including those majoring in Computer Science. Students may modify any major, including Computer Science, with Digital Arts. For each minor, the prerequisites and required courses are listed below. Approval of a minor in Computer Science, Computational Methods, or Operations Research can be obtained through the Departmental Undergraduate Advisor.  Approval of a minor in Digital Arts can be obtained through the Director of the Digital Arts Minor.

1.       SAT Reasoning or ACT (with Writing);

2.       2 SAT Subject Test Scores;

3.       The common application essay;

4.       Within the Common Application, Dartmouth’s writing supplement requires that applicants write a brief response to one of the following supplemental essay prompts. Candidates choose one topic and respond;

5.       A counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. In addition, a peer recommendation is strongly encouraged;

6.       Resume;

7.       Brief abstract of an independent research project;

8.       IELTS or TOEFL (no minimum scores).

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

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