Recommended Course Sequence for CS Majors

The computer science major usually requires a minimum of three years to complete and comprises 7 required courses and 5 elective courses for a total of 12 courses. A grade of C or better is required in each course and must be satisfied to go on to the next level of coursework.

If you are an advanced student who would like to explore research , it is recommended that you take as many CS classes as early as possible so that you can take advanced electives or graduate-level courses.

For students that have NEVER taken a CS course:

Fall Spring
Freshmen
Semester 1
CSCI-UA 2, Introduction to Computer Programming
MATH-UA 9, Algebra and Calculus
Freshmen
Semester 2
CSCI-UA 101, Introduction to Computer Science
MATH-UA 121, Calculus I
Sophomore
Semester 3
CSCI-UA 102, Data Structures
MATH-UA 120, Discrete Math
Sophomore
Semester 4
CSCI-UA 201, Computer Systems Organization
CSCI-UA 310, Basic Algorithms
Junior
Semester 5
CSCI-UA 202, Operating Systems
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
Junior
Semester 6
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
Senior
Semester 7
CSCI-UA 400, Elective Senior
Semester 8
CSCI-UA 400, Elective

For students that have only 5 SEMESTERS to satisfy the CS Major:

Fall Spring
Semester 1 CSCI-UA 2, Introduction to Computer Programming
MATH-UA 9, Algebra and Calculus
Semester 2 CSCI-UA 101, Introduction to Computer Science
MATH-UA 121, Calculus I
Semester 3 CSCI-UA 102, Data Structures
MATH-UA 120, Discrete Math
MATH-UA 140, Linear Algebra
Semester 4 CSCI-UA 201, Computer Systems Organization
CSCI-UA 310, Basic Algorithms
MATH-UA 122, Calculus II
Semester 5 CSCI-UA 202, Operating Systems
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
CSCI-UA 400, Elective

* Please note that we do not advise taking more than 2 CS courses at one time, but this sequence is possible for students with limited time at NYU.

For students that have AP CREDIT FOR CS 101, CALCULUS I & II on their NYU Transcript:

Fall Spring
Freshmen
Semester 1
CSCI-UA 102, Data Structures
MATH-UA 120, Discrete Math
MATH-UA 140, Linear Algebra
Freshmen
Semester 2
CSCI-UA 201, Computer Systems Organization
CSCI-UA 310, Basic Algorithms
Sophomore
Semester 3
CSCI-UA 202, Operating Systems
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
CSCI-UA 400, Elective
CSCI-UA 400, Elective

* This track is for students interested in the following:

* Please note that we do not advise taking more than 2 CS courses at one time.

If you intend to pursue graduate school after graduation, it is not enough to just take classes. You need to gain research experience . If you intend to go directly into the work force upon graduation, then you should consider the 400-level courses oriented towards advanced industrial technology, such as Applied Internet Technologies, Object Oriented Programming, Database Systems, Computer Graphics, Unix Tools, Introduction to Multimedia and Software Engineering.

Graduate Courses Open to Undergraduates

A limited number of graduate courses are open to undergraduate students who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or better in computer science, subject to permission of the director of undergraduate studies. These may be substituted for undergraduate elective credit, or reserved for graduate credit if the student is pursuing the accelerated master's program. Consult your advisor for further details.

The joint major in Computer Science and Math requires a minimum of 18 courses / 72 credits.

The CS portion of the CSMA major requires 8 courses/32 credits:
1. CSCI-UA 101
2. CSCI-UA 102
3. CSCI-UA 201
4. CSCI-UA 202
5. CSCI-UA 310
6. CSCI-UA 421
7. CS 400 Level Elective
8. CS 400 Level Elective

Please consider the following course sequence for the CS portion of the joint major in Computer Science and Math:
Freshmen Fall: MATH-UA 9 & CSCI-UA 2
Freshmen Spring: MATH-UA 121 & CSCI-UA 101
Sophomore Fall: MATH-UA 120 & CSCI-UA 102
Sophomore Spring: CSCI-UA 201 & CSCI-UA 310
Junior Fall: CSCI-UA 202 & CSCI-UA 421
Junior Spring: Two (2) CS 400 Level Electives

The major in Economics & Computer Science requires a minimum of 22 courses / 88 credits.

The CS & Math portion of the CS & ECON major requires 13 courses/52 credits:
1. MATH-UA 120
2. MATH-UA 131
3. MATH-UA 132
4. MATH-UA 133
5. CSCI-UA 101
6. CSCI-UA 102
7. CSCI-UA 201
8. CSCI-UA 202
9. CSCI-UA 310
10. CS 400 Level Elective
11. CS 400 Level Elective
12. CS 400 Level Elective
13. CS 400 Level Elective

Please consider the following course sequence for the CS and Math portion of the joint major in Economics and Computer Science:
Freshmen Fall: MATH-UA 9 & CSCI-UA 2
Freshmen Spring: MATH-UA 131 & CSCI-UA 101
Sophomore Fall: MATH-UA 120, MATH-UA 132 & CSCI-UA 102
Sophomore Spring: MATH-UA 133 & CSCI-UA 201
Junior Fall: CSCI-UA 202 & CSCI-UA 310
Junior Spring: Two (2) CS 400 Level Electives
Senior Fall: Two (2) CS 400 Level Electives

The joint major in Computer and Data Science requires a minimum of 18 courses / 72 credits.

The CS & Math portion of the C & DS major requires 13 courses/52 credits:
1. MATH-UA 121
2. MATH-UA 120
3. MATH-UA 122
4. MATH-UA 140
5. MATH-UA 235
6. CSCI-UA 101
7. CSCI-UA 102
8. CSCI-UA 201
9. CSCI-UA 310
10. CSCI-UA 473
11. CSCI-UA 479
12. One Big Data Elective: CSCI-UA 475 or CSCI-UA 476
13. CS 400 Level Elective

Please consider the following course sequence for the CS & Math portion of the joint major in Computer and Data Science:
Freshmen Fall: MATH-UA 9 & CSCI-UA 2
Freshmen Spring: MATH-UA 121 & CSCI-UA 101
Sophomore Fall: MATH-UA 120, MATH-UA 122 & CSCI-UA 102
Sophomore Spring: MATH-UA 140 & CSCI-UA 201
Junior Fall: MATH-UA 235 & CSCI-UA 310
Junior Spring: CSCI-UA 473 & One Big Data Elective: CSCI-UA 475 or CSCI-UA 476
Senior Fall: CSCI-UA 479 & a CS 400 level elective

For a custom course sequence for a major in our department, please email undergrad@cs.nyu.edu and include the following:
1. NYU Student ID# (it begins with the letter "N")
2. Proposed Major
3. Expected Graduation Date