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).

Dartmouth Scholarships are need-based and are given without expectation of repayment. Amounts range from $1,000 to over $50,000, depending on our determination of your eligibility. Some Dartmouth students will be selected as recipients of one or more of our over 750 endowed scholarship funds. These awards are not additional money, but indicate that the aid already awarded will come from a specific endowed fund. No separate application is required. Students who receive scholarships from external sources can use these funds to reduce the loan and/or job portions of their financial aid packages. Veteran's benefits are included as a resource in the determination of eligibility for Dartmouth scholarship awards. Dartmouth College currently participates at 100% in the Yellow Ribbon Program which supplements GI Bill benefits. For U.S. citizens or permanent residents, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only form required to apply for Federal Financial Aid. The federal government provides Pell Grants to students who qualify on the basis of financial need as determined by their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded by the College to the most needy students. They vary in amount but do not exceed $4,000 a year. When you apply for financial aid, your parents' country of residence will determine which documents you need to submit. Parents living outside U.S. and Canada should provide income/benefits statement from employer.