Undergraduate

The Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org,  under the General Criteria and the Computer Science and Similarly Named Computing Programs Program Criteria.

Program Overview

Computer science (CS) stresses the design, analysis, implementation, management and application of large software systems, as well as systems combining both hardware and software. The Watson School offers a rich set of courses in software design, programming, hardware design and everything in between.

Students begin taking computer science courses in their first semester at Binghamton, and the department welcomes incoming freshmen with or without prior CS experience. In their first year, students with limited programming experience begin the year with Programming Concepts and Applications; otherwise, they start with hardware and software systems. During the first two years, students study multiple programming languages and computer systems principles. Required courses build a strong foundation across the core areas of CS, such as computer systems design, programming languages, data structures and algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems and formal methods. 

A wide variety of elective classes allows students to pursue the areas that interest them most, while applying and building on their foundation. We offer electives in software systems, networking (including mobile and wireless networks), web-based systems, machine learning, data mining, artificial intelligence (AI), computer graphics, computer vision, cybersecurity, embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, robotics and game design. 

To maximize scheduling flexibility, every required CS course is taught every semester. This enables different paths through the program and allows students to minor — or even earn a dual degree — in the arts, business, math, music, languages, the sciences and more. Students can also study abroad, pursue a semester-long co-op for credit, or both.  

Internships, research opportunities and more

It is extremely common for students in their junior and senior years to have paid summer internships at companies like Apple, Google, Facebook, NASA, AFRL Rome Labs, Microsoft, Bloomberg, IBM, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Fidessa, Citigroup, Lockheed, BAE, GE, as well as paid research positions at Binghamton or other universities.

Research conducted in the Computer Science Department includes:

• computer architecture
• cloud high-performance computing
• mobile and wireless computing
• data mining, machine learning and artificial intelligence
• graphics, image processing, computer vision
• information systems
• operating systems, networking and distributed systems
• cyber security
• Embedded systems and IoT

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

• MATH 224 - Differential Calculus

  This is a 2-credit course in differential calculus covering limits, continuity, and differentiation. Prerequisites: MATH 223 with a grade of C- or better, or Placement Exam. Offered each half semester. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 225 - Integral Calculus

  This is a 2-credit course in integral calculus covering optimization and integration. Prerequisites: MATH 224 with a grade of C- or better. Offered 2nd half of fall semester and both half semesters of spring semester. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 226 - Integration Tech & Application

  This is a 2-credit course covering the calculus of transcendental & inverse functions, L’Hospital’s Rule, integral techniques, improper integrals, calculus of parametric curves, and polar coordinates. Prerequisites: Math 225 with a grade of at least a C- or consent of instructor. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 227 - Infinite Series

  This is a 2-credit course covering sequences, series, power series, and Taylor series. Prerequisites: Math 226 with a grade of at least a C- or consent of instructor. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• CS 101 - Prof Skills Ethics & CS Trends

  Introduction to and discussion of topics of interest to computer science majors: social, ethical and professional issues; university, school and department resources; current developments in computer science. Prerequisite: none. Offered in the Fall semester. 1 credit Levels: Undergraduate

• CS 110 - Pgming Concepts&Applic

  An introductory course for students with little or no programming experience. Basic control flow, data types, simple data structures and functions using a scripting language. Developing code using an integrated environment. The basics of directories, files and file types, including text files. Simple examples of the applications enabled by a modern, platform-independent scripting language such as GUIs, event handling, and database access. This course is open to all students who have not taken any other CS courses (with the exception of CS 105) and under these conditions, can count as free-elective credit for CS majors. Prerequisite: Math 225 (May be taken concurrently. ) (All prerequisites must have a grade of C- or better).Offered every semester. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

• CS 120 - Prog & Hardware Fundamentals

  Introduction to the C programming language, including local and global variables, basic control structures, function calls, pointers and the stack; use of command-line C development environments and development tools such as gdb and make; assembly language connection to higher-level C; building blocks of the Von Neumann machine (ALU, registers, control unit, RAM, decoders, program counters) and the underlying basic logic elements; simple non-pipelined processor architectures. Supervised laboratory work involves programming in C and low-level languages, interfacing with hardware, and the design and simulation of small circuits and simplified microprocessors. Prerequisite MATH 225 that may be taken concurrently. CS 110, CS Majors may request a waiver from the Undergraduate Director based on prior programming experience (All prerequisites must have a grade of C- or better) Offered every semester. 4 credits Levels: Undergraduate

• CS 210 - Prog with Obj & Data

  Assumes a foundation in procedural programming as covered in CS 110. Provides the foundations of software development using Java. Problem solving using object-oriented programming techniques is emphasized. Topics include primitive and reference data types, variables, expressions, assignment, functions/methods, parameters, selection, iteration, recursion, exception handling, generic linear data structures and maps, file types, file I/O, simple GUIs, programming to an interface, use of inheritance, design patterns, javadoc documentation, and introduction to Java threads. Required laboratory provides supervised problem solving, programming using the command line as well as Eclipse, Netbeans, or IntelliJ development environments, code backup in a version control repository, debugging and JUnit testing techniques. Prerequisite: CS 110, CS Majors may request a waiver from the Undergraduate Director based on prior programming experience, and Math 225 (All prerequisites must have a grade of C- or better). CS 120 (can be taken concurrently) Offered every semester. Credits: 4 Levels: Undergraduate

• WRIT 111 - Inquiry and Academic Writing

  WRIT 111 helps first-year students become stronger writers, speakers, and thinkers. The course treats writing as a process, emphasizes revision, and gives students practice in critical thinking and research writing, reinforcing the notion that writing conventions differ according to their rhetorical situations. Formal writing assignments include personal, civic, and academic genres. Prerequisites: first-year students only. Transfer and ESL students by approval of Writing Initiative only. 4 credits. Offered fall and spring semesters. Levels: Undergraduate

Requirements are based on Bulletin year of enrollment. Please refer to your Bulletin year to see your requirements. These requirements are for those who start in fall 2023 and onward.

A printable version of the degree requirements for a bachelor of science in computer science. Students can also check the University Bulletin for degree requirements. 

Course Sequence

• Sample four year course sequence

After You Graduate

The Computer Science department has maintained a high professional placement rate for our graduates. Recent alumni have become software engineers at various IT companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple as well as many financial institutes such as Bloomberg, CitiGroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase. CS students can also pursue advanced degrees (MS or PhD) in computer science or related disciplines. Some of our recent graduates have become graduate students at Binghamton University, Harvard University and Stanford University.

Admissions

Information on admissions, financial aid, housing, program costs and visiting Binghamton University's campus is presented on the Admissions page.

Complete instructions for applying to Binghamton University are available on the Admissions how to apply webpage. 

Unlike most other majors on campus, students need to apply directly to the computer science major instead of applying directly to Watson College.

Educational Mission and Goals

We strive to provide our CS graduates with a firm grounding in the fundamentals of computer science, elements of practical application and an appreciation for liberal learning.

Our degree programs aim for graduates to understand the theory and practice of automating the representation, storage and processing of information. Our goal is to also provide our students the opportunity to pursue individual interests within computer science and/or other disciplines.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of our program will be:

• Successful in their profession in leadership or supporting positions, in which they exercise and apply their technical computer science background. These positions will utilize their skills in problem-solving and software or systems development.

• Successful in working well in teams, communicating effectively, and meeting the social and ethical responsibilities of their profession.  

• Engaged in life-long learning relevant to their profession, including earning advanced degrees based on their computer science background or completing professional training.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

• Analyze a complex computing problem, and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Data

• Total undergraduate student enrollment (as of fall 2022; full- and part-time): 650
• Undergraduate degrees granted (2021-22): 115