Program Director
Saman Priyantha Kumarawadu
eecsugradadmit@syr.edu.
Description
The mission of the computer and information science programs is to assist students to be ready for work and ready for change. This means preparing students to make professional contributions to computer and information science immediately upon graduation and throughout their professional careers, and to adapt to technological and societal changes.
This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
The programs in computer science prepare professionals who will adapt to constant changes in technology and who will be leaders in developing the new technologies of the Information Age. The multidisciplinary nature of the curricula offers students a high degree of flexibility to design a program of study tailored to their interests and professional aspirations.
Computer science focuses on programming, algorithms, large-scale software development, and the principles of computing that underlie these areas. Syracuse’s program weaves together an emphasis on fundamental principles with new developments in computing, producing graduates prepared either to begin careers or to pursue advanced studies in the field.
With this program you will have opportunities to learn about:
- Computer and internet security
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning to develop machines that can work among humans.
- Operating system design to develop the next innovation to change Windows, Mac OS X and Unix or to invent a completely new operating system.
- Innovative thinking so you can design programs that control rockets, future search engines, and cars that drive themselves.
- Mathematics to reveal the limits of today’s computers and explore the possibility of a new kind of computer that has yet to be imagined.
- Problem solving, independent thinking and team collaboration in developing a large-scale software systems with other computer scientists and software engineers.
Distribution and Core Requirements
The BS degree in Computer Science requires a minimum of 120 credits. The requirements are divided into a general education section, a mathematics section, and a major section.
General Education Section
Completion of the general education section requires at least 47 credits of coursework, as follows. Each student is required to complete 6 credits of writing (WRT 105 Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing, WRT 205 Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing) and 3 credits in presentational skills by taking at least one course out of the following:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| CRS 225 | Public Advocacy | 3 |
| CRS 325 | Presentational Speaking | 3 |
| IST 344 | Information Reporting and Presentation | 3 |
Natural Sciences
The student is further required to complete 8 credits of natural sciences, as follows.
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| PHY 211 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 221 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
In addition, students must complete one of the following options: PHY 212 General Physics II and PHY 222 General Physics Laboratory II; CHE 106 General Chemistry Lecture I and CHE 107 General Chemistry Laboratory I; or BIO 121 General Biology I and BIO 122 General Biology I Laboratory.
Social Science and Humanities
The student is required to complete 21 credits in social science and humanities (A/SS/H), including the following two courses:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| PHI 251 | Logic | 3 |
| ECS 392 | Ethical Aspects of Engineering and Computer Science | 3 |
The remaining 15 credits may be chosen from courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences or by the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
(See exclusions in the Undergraduate Student Handbook)
Free Electives
Finally, each student has 8 credits of free electives. This requirement can be satisfied by any courses except for CPS courses and certain remedial courses. A list of such courses can be obtained from the CIS program office.
Mathematics Section
The mathematics section requires at least 15 credits of math. The student must complete the following courses:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| MAT 295 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MAT 296 | Calculus II | 2-4 |
| MAT 397 | Calculus III | 4 |
| or MAT 331 | First Course in Linear Algebra |
| CIS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Major Section
The major section consists of ECS 101 Introduction to Engineering and Computer Science, CIS 151 Fundamentals of Computing and Programming, the 34-credit computer science core (listed below), and 18-credits of upper-division technical electives.
Computer Science Core
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| CIS 252 | Elements of Computer Science | 4 |
| CIS 341 | Computer Organization & Programming Systems | 3 |
| CIS 351 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CIS 352 | Programming Language: Theory & Practice | 3 |
| CSE 384 | Systems and Network Programming | 3 |
| CIS 375 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| CIS 453 | Software Specification and Design | 3 |
| CIS 454 | Software Implementation | 3 |
| CIS 473 | Automata and Computability | 3 |
| CIS 477 | Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CSE 486 | Design of Operating Systems | 3 |
Academic Standards
Students are required to meet academic standards as follows: no grade below C- will satisfy the requirements for the 6 credits of writing, for the mathematics section, for the computer science core, and the 18 credits of upper-division technical electives. The computer science core must be completed with a B- (2.667) average.
Upper Division Technical Electives
Students must complete 18 credits of upper division electives chosen from the following options. At least 9 credits of the upper division technical electives must be in computer science or computer engineering (CIS/CSE).
Arts and Sciences
Students may choose any mathematics courses numbered about 400, unless specifically excluded (e.g., MAT 521 Introduction to Probability and MAT 485 Differential Equations and Matrix Algebra for Engineers). Students may also choose from the following philosophy courses:
Computer and Information Science
Students may select any CIS or CSE courses numbered above 300, unless specifically excluded.
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.
Representative Program of Study
Plan of Study Grid | Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ECS 101 | Introduction to Engineering and Computer Science | 3 |
| CIS 151 | Fundamentals of Computing and Programming | 3 |
| MAT 295 | Calculus I | 4 |
| WRT 105 | Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing | 3 |
| FYS 101 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 17 |
| Spring |
|---|
| CIS 252 | Elements of Computer Science | 4 |
| MAT 296 | Calculus II | 2-4 |
| PHI 251 | Logic | 3 |
| PHY 211 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 221 | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| | Credits | 13-15 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| CIS 375 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| CIS 351 | Data Structures | 3 |
MAT 397
| Calculus III
or First Course in Linear Algebra | 3-4 |
| 4 |
| | Credits | 13-14 |
| Spring |
|---|
| CIS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| CIS 341 | Computer Organization & Programming Systems | 3 |
| CIS 352 | Programming Language: Theory & Practice | 3 |
| CSE 384 | Systems and Network Programming | 3 |
| WRT 205 | Studio 2: Critical Research and Writing | 3 |
| | Credits | 16 |
| Year 3 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| CIS 453 | Software Specification and Design | 3 |
| CIS 477 | Introduction to Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| CSE 486 | Design of Operating Systems | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| CIS 473 | Automata and Computability | 3 |
| CIS 454 | Software Implementation | 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 15 |
| Year 4 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| ECS 392 | Ethical Aspects of Engineering and Computer Science | 3 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 15 |
| Spring |
|---|
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| | Credits | 14 |
| | Total Credits | 118-121 |
Intra-University Transfer
Students who wish to transfer into any program within the College of Engineering and Computer Science from another school or college within the University should have a strong record of achievement and demonstrated success in key technical courses. Specifically, it is critical for the applicant to have proven their ability to excel in college-level calculus (by completing at least one of MAT 295 Calculus I, MAT 296 Calculus II, or MAT 397 Calculus III with a grade of B- or better) and science (by completing at least one set of PHY 211 General Physics I/PHY 221 General Physics Laboratory I or CHE 106 General Chemistry Lecture I/CHE 107 General Chemistry Laboratory I with a grade of B- or better). Students who wish to major in computer science must also complete CIS 252 Elements of Computer Science with a grade of at least a B.
