Computer Science Majors
If you have any questions regarding the major requirements, send an email to the Undergraduate Program Administrator .
Students must complete CSCI-UA 101, Introduction to Computer Science (or higher) with a grade of C or better before they may declare a major in this department.
Please see the CAS Bulletin for additional information about the Program of Study and Course Offerings within the Department of Computer Science.
Please note the following restrictions on the majors in our department:
- Tandon students are not permitted to declare a major in Computer Science, Computer Science/Math, Computer Science/Economics, or Computer Science/Data Science at CAS, as there are similar programs available at Tandon.
- Data Science majors are not permitted to declare a double major in Computer Science, Computer Science/ Math or Computer Science/Economics, as there is significant course overlap. Students interested in Computer Science, Data Science and Math should consider a joint major in Computer Science/ Data Science.
- CSCI-UA 2, 4, 60, 61, 330, 380, 381, 520/1, 897/8 & 997/8 are NOT applicable to the majors in our department. These courses will not replace/satisfy/substitute any requirements for any majors in the Computer Science Department.
- The Registrar's Office will allow students to double count a maximum of two courses towards their major(s) and/or minor(s).
- Grades of "P" or "F" are not applicable towards the Computer Science Majors or Minors. In addition, grades of "P" are also not accepted if the student is trying to register for a higher level course that requires the class/course as a prerequisite.
- Students that take a placement exam and pass, DO NOT EARN CREDIT. If the course that you are placing out of is required for the CS major or minor, the course must be replaced with a CS 400 level elective with the CSCI-UA designation (or approved equivalent) in our department.
Major in Computer Science (12 Courses)
The major in Computer Science requires the successful completion of the following:- A minimum of 12 courses/48 credits
- A minimum grade point average of 2.0
- Only grades of "C" or higher are applicable to our majors and minors (and the required prerequisites)
Core Requirements (7)
-
CSCI-UA.0101 Introduction to Computer Science
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0002 or CSCI-UA.0003 or placement exam -
CSCI-UA.0102 Data Structures
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0101 -
CSCI-UA.0201 Computer Systems Organization
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0102 -
CSCI-UA.0202 Operating Systems
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0201 -
CSCI-UA.0310 Basic Algorithms
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102), Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120) and Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or Math for Economics I (MATH-UA 211) -
MATH-UA.0121 Calculus I
(Fall / Spring / Summer)
prerequisite: MATH-UA.0009 -
MATH-UA.0120 Discrete Mathematics
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisites
Electives (5)
- FIVE electives, numbered CSCI-UA.04xx
Electives vary every fall, spring semester and there is one elective option offered in the summer semester. Students may substitute a 400-level elective with one of the following Math classes: MATH-UA.0122 Calculus II , MATH-UA.0140 Linear Algebra , and/or MATH-UA.0235 Probability and Statistics ; a maximum of two classes can be substituted.
The Computer Science Major of 12 courses/48 credits can be distributed in the following ways:
- 10 CS courses(40 credits) + 2 Math courses(8 credits) valued at 4 credits each for a total of 48 credits, 5 to 1 ratio = 83% CS & 17% Math
- 9 CS courses(36 credits) + 3 Math courses(12 credits) valued at 4 credits each for a total of 48 credits, 3 to 1 ratio = 75% CS & 25% Math
- 8 CS courses(32 credits) + 4 Math courses(16 credits) valued at 4 credits each for a total of 48 credits, 2 to 1 ratio = 67% CS & 33% Math
Students must complete a minimum of 32 credits with the CSCI-UA designation as part of their 48 credits for the CS major.
Joint Major in Computer Science and Data Science (18 Courses)
The joint major in computer and data science targets students who seek comprehensive training in two bodies of knowledge: (1) computer science, an established field that advances computing, programming, and building large-scale and intelligent systems, and (2) data science, an emerging field that leverages computer science, mathematics, and domain-specific knowledge to analyze large data collections using data mining, predictive statistics, visualization, and efficient data management. The joint major in computer and data science trains students to use data science systems, the automated systems that effectively predict outcomes of interest and that extract insights from increasingly large data sets. This training enables students to participate in harnessing the power of data and in influencing policies that will govern the rollout of data science technologies. In addition, students gain the ability to build such systems. This is an interdisciplinary major (eighteen courses/72 points) offered by the Department of Computer Science and the Center for Data Science. A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements. Interested students should consult with the directors of undergraduate studies in the department and the center for additional information. Please note that the CAS minor requirement associated with the major in data science is waived for the computer and data science joint major, just as it is waived for a data science major pursuing a double major.
The computer science requirements (eight courses/32 points) are as follows:
-
Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0002 or CSCI-UA.0003 - Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102) (Fall / Spring)
- Computer Systems Organization (CSCI-UA 201) (Fall / Spring)
- Basic Algorithms (CSCI-UA 310) (Fall / Spring)
- Introduction to Machine Learning (CSCI-UA 473) (Fall / Spring)
- Data Management and Analysis (CSCI-UA 479) (Spring)
Two (2) Computer Science Electives: choose two (2) of the following:
- Operating Systems (CSCI-UA 202) (Fall / Spring)
- Predictive Analytics (CSCI-UA 475) (Fall / Spring)
- Processing Big Data for Analytics Applications (CSCI-UA 476) (Fall / Spring)
- Any CSCI-UA 400 Level Elective (Fall / Spring)
Data science requirements (five courses/20 points) are as follows:
- Data Science for Everyone (DS-UA 111)
- Principles of Data Science (DS-UA 112)
- Causal Inference (DS-UA 201)
- Responsible Data Science (DS-UA 202)
- Advanced Topics in Data Science (DS-UA 301)
Mathematics requirements (five courses/20 points) are as follows:
- Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or Mathematics for Economics I (MATH-UA 211)
- Calculus II (MATH-UA 122) or Mathematics for Economics II (MATH-UA 212)
- Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120)
- Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140)
- Probability and Statistics (MATH-UA 235)
Joint Major in Computer Science/Mathematics (18 Courses)
REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS WHO ENROLLED AT NYU FALL 2014 OR LATER
An interdisciplinary major offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, providing the opportunity to study both computer science and such relevant mathematics courses as analysis, algebra, probability, and statistics.
The requirements are ten courses numbered MATH-UA 120 or higher, except MATH-UA 125, 211, 212, 213 or 246 from the Mathematics Department, which must include:
- MATH-UA 120 Discrete Math
- MATH-UA 121 Calculus I
- MATH-UA 122 Calculus II
- MATH-UA 123 Calculus III
- MATH-UA 140 Linear Algebra
- MATH-UA 325 Analysis I or MATH-UA 328 Honors Analysis I
- MATH-UA 343 Algebra I or MATH-UA 348 Honors Algebra I
And two of the following:
- MATH-UA 233 Theory of Probability
- MATH-UA 234 Mathematical Statistics
- MATH-UA 240 Combinatorics
- MATH-UA 248 Theory of Numbers
- MATH-UA 251 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
- MATH-UA 252 Numerical Analysis
- MATH-UA 253 Linear and Nonlinear Optimization
- MATH-UA 262 Ordinary Differential Equations
- MATH-UA 263 Partial Differential Equations
- MATH-UA 264 Chaos & Dynamical Systems
- MATH-UA 282 Functions of a Complex Variable
- MATH-UA 329 Honors Analysis II
- MATH-UA 349 Honors Algebra II
- MATH-UA 375 Topology
- MATH-UA 377 Differential Geometry
- MATH-UA 393 Honors I
- MATH-UA 394 Honors II
- MATH-UA 397 Honors III
- MATH-UA 398 Honors IV
And one additional Math course numbered MATH-UA 120 or higher, except MATH-UA 211, 212, 213 or 270.
The requirements are eight courses from the Computer Science Department, which must include:
-
CSCI-UA.0101 Introduction to Computer Science
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0002 or CSCI-UA.0003 or departmental permission -
CSCI-UA.0102 Data Structures
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0101 -
CSCI-UA.0201 Computer Systems Organization
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0102 -
CSCI-UA.0202 Operating Systems
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0201 -
CSCI-UA.0310 Basic Algorithms
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102), Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120) and Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or Math for Economics I (MATH-UA 211) - CSCI-UA.0421 Numerical Computing (Spring) [1]
- CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
- CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
A grade of C or better is required in all these courses to fulfill the major requirement.
[1] If the student has chosen Numerical Analysis from the Math side, they can be excused by the DUS from the CSCI-UA.421 Numerical Computing requirement and substitute a different upper level elective for it.
Joint Major in Economics/Computer Science (22 Courses)
Computer Science Requirements (9)
-
CSCI-UA.0101 Introduction to Computer Science
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0002 or CSCI-UA.0003 or departmental permission -
CSCI-UA.0102 Data Structures
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0101 -
CSCI-UA.0201 Computer Systems Organization
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0102 -
CSCI-UA.0202 Operating Systems
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: CSCI-UA.0201 -
CSCI-UA.0310 Basic Algorithms
(Fall / Spring)
prerequisite: Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102), Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120) and Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or Math for Economics I (MATH-UA 211) - CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
- CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
- CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
-
CSCI-UA.04xx Advanced CS Elective
OR
one of the following:
- MATH-UA.0140 Linear Algebra
- ECON-UA.0310 Strategic Decision Theory
- ECON-UA.0365 Advanced Micro Theory
- ECON-UA.0375 Topics in Economic Theory
Economics Requirements - Theory Concentration (9)
- ECON-UA.0001 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECON-UA.0002 Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON-UA.0011 Microeconomic Analysis
- ECON-UA.0013 Macroeconomic Analysis
- ECON-UA.0020 Analytical Statistics
- ECON-UA.0266 Introduction to Econometrics
- Two economics theory electives, numbers ECON-UA 300-399
- One additional economics elective
Mathematics Requirements (4)