Computer science

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 66.6 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 66.6 k / Year(s) Deadline: Nov 1, 2024
9 place StudyQA ranking:4158 Duration:4 years

Photos of university / #Princeton

Computing is everywhere in modern life, whether it be as mundane as checking friends on a social network or as sophisticated as weather forecasting.    More fundamentally, computational thinking has contributed to a broad spectrum of problems, from music composition to drug design.    The computer science department at Princeton offers undergraduates courses in the core areas of computer science and in an array of application and interdisciplinary areas.   Because computational thinking is so important, we want to provide every Princeton undergraduate with at least one course in computer science.

Because of the broad range of topics within computer science and the diverse interests of undergraduates,  students may major in computer science through either the A.B. or B.S.E. degree program.   We are the only department in the university with this flexibility.  Beyond a small core set of courses, students are free to design their own program within a framework that insures in-depth exposure to algorithms and theoretical computer science, computer system design, and applications.    Another important aspect of the curriculum is independent work.  Each student does at least one design or research project advised by a member of the faculty.  This gives students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research or entrepreneurial product design.   Many projects are interdisciplinary.  For students who would like to study computer science in earnest, but secondary to another discipline, we also offer the Certificate Program in Applications of Computing.

Whether receiving the A.B. or the B.S.E in computer science, students have a wide range of opportunities after graduation.  Many join major companies in computing and information technology.  Others go to startups or form companies of their own.  Other major employers are consulting firms and financial companies.   About one quarter of students go on to graduate school at the highest ranked CS graduate programs.   Attending professional schools such as medical school or business school is also an option.

Theoretical computer science

Courses in this track explore the theoretical underpinnings of computing systems.  They all use mathematical proofs for rigorous development of the area of study.

Theory courses:*

  • 340 Reasoning about Computation
  • 423 Theory of Algorithms
  • 433 Cryptography
  • 445 Networks, Economics and Computing
  • 451 Computational Geometry
  • 487 Theory of Computation
  • 488 Introduction to Analytic Combinatorics
  • 510* (441) Programming Languages
  • 516* Reasoning About Software

*If you take COS 510 (or 441) and COS 516 only one will count as a theory requirement.

Systems

Courses in this track study the design and implementation of the foundational hardware and software that constitute a modern computing environment.

Systems courses:*

  • 306 (ELE 206) Introduction to Logic Design
  • 318 Operating Systems
  • 320 Compiling Techniques
  • 333 Advanced Programming Techniques
  • 375 (ELE 375) Computer Architecture and Organization
  • 418 Distributed Systems
  • 425 Database and Information Management Systems
  • 461 Computer Networks
  • 475 (ELE 475) Computer Architecture

Applications

Courses in this track treat a broad range of topics.

Applications courses:*

  • 314 (MUS 314) Computer and Electronic Music through Programming, Performance, and Composition (with programming precept)
  • 323 (ORF 363)  Computing and Optimization 
  • 325 (MUS 315) Transforming Reality by Computer
  • 326 Functional Programming
  • 401 (TRA 301) Introduction To Machine Translation  
  • 402 Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • 424 Fundamentals of Machine Learning
  • 426 Computer Graphics
  • 429 Computer Vision
  • 432 Information Security
  • 435 Information Retrieval, Discovery and Delivery
  • 436 Human-Computer Interface Technology
  • 455 (MOL 455) Introduction to Genomics and Computational Molecular Biology

* Course offerings can vary from year to year.

Some regular courses are COS departmentals but do not count in any specific track, such as COS 351 "Information technology and public policy".  COS 495, Special Topics, is a departmental but may be associated with different tracks (or no track) depending on content.  Other one-time courses may also be departmentals and may count in one of the tracks depending on level and content.   Check with your advisor or the undergraduate coordinator for up-to-date information.

Independent Work

Independent work is one of the unique features of a Princeton education. Independent projects typically arise either from an idea that excites you or from an idea put forth by a professor in the department. The department maintains a wiki of faculty research interests. This list is a good place to start in looking for a project or advisor. There is also some general advice on finding a topic, an adviser, and a successful outcome here.

Once you have a project, get a form (located on the bulletin board outside the Computer Science undergraduate office) and sign it along with your advisor to let us know what you'll be doing. Your project is then between you and your advisor, but there is always a COS Independent Work Coordinator who coordinates all independent work, and schedules public talks, checkpoints, and other requirements.

It is possible to do a project with a faculty member in another department if you have the approval of the Independent Work Coordinator.

  • The Common Application or the Universal College Application
  • Princeton Supplement
  • Transcript
  • School Report
  • Guidance Counselor Letter
  • Two (2) Teacher Recommendations
  • SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing
  • Two (2) SAT Subject Tests (recommended, but not required)
  • TOEFL, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic (nonnative speakers of English without 3 years of high school in English)

Scholarships

  • Princeton Financial Aid
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 31 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Oct 15, 2024 301–350 place StudyQA ranking: 3421
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 24.9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 24.9 k / Year(s)
Deadline: May 1, 2024 301–350 place StudyQA ranking: 4052
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.77 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 23.3 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Feb 1, 2025 251–300 place StudyQA ranking: 4034
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 6.43 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 15 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 4176
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 14.4 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 45.4 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Oct 1, 2024 22 place StudyQA ranking: 3878
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 67.6 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 2, 2025 19 place StudyQA ranking: 4685
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 41.2 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 41.2 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Feb 1, 2025 StudyQA ranking: 4012
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 69.8 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 69.8 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 10, 2025 120 place StudyQA ranking: 4283
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 30.6 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 61.2 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 1, 2025 117 place StudyQA ranking: 3562
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 68.2 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 1, 2025 155 place StudyQA ranking: 4756