Paths Through the Major (classes of '23, '24)
Overview
This page illustrates some paths to earning a degree with a computer science concentration. It includes some general paths through the major that vary depending on the degree (BSE vs AB) and what semester you start taking computer science courses. It then includes some example paths through the computer science courses that focus on different areas of computer science. These paths are examples and are not meant to limit how you can earn a degree; there are many more paths than what we show here.
This page is for the classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. Requirements are somewhat different for the class of 2025 and beyond; see this page for details.
General Paths
Computer science courses are orange, other required courses are gray, and elective courses are white.
BSE General Path (Fall Start)
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 226 |
COS 217 |
COS 240* |
Systems |
App |
COS |
COS |
MAT 103 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 201 |
App |
Theory |
IW |
Systems |
Elective |
PHY 103 |
PHY 104 |
CHM 201 |
Mat 202 |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Writing |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Note: 217 and 226 can be taken in either order.
Note: COS 240 is a departmental, formerly numbered 340.
*Theory course
BSE General Path (Spring Start)
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
CHM 201 |
COS 126 |
COS 226 |
COS 240* |
Systems |
App |
COS |
COS |
MAT 103 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 201 |
COS 217 |
Theory |
Systems |
IW |
App |
PHY 103 |
PHY 104 |
GenEd |
Mat 202 |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Writing |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Note: It is NOT recommended to combine 217 and 226 in the same semester.
*Theory course
AB General Path
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 226 |
COS 217 |
COS 240* |
JRW |
IW |
Thesis |
|
MAT 103 |
MAT 104 |
MAT 202 |
App |
Systems |
App |
COS |
COS |
Language |
Language |
Language |
GenEd |
Theory |
Systems |
Elective |
Elective |
Writing |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
GenEd |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
Note: ABs can also do a first-year Spring start, analogous to the BSE Spring start.
JRW: Junior Research Workshop, paired with a Methods course like 324 or 316. (AB only)
*Theory course
Area-focused Paths
These are paths that cover many courses within a given area of computer science. They choose courses in the semesters they are typically taught, however, courses may be taught in different semesters or not be offered in a given year. These are example paths and are not meant to limit how you take courses within and across areas; there are many different ways to explore an area in depth.
These paths include only the computer science courses with those in the focus area highlighted in bold.
Applications Focused
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 226 |
COS 217 |
COS 240 |
COS 333 |
COS 445 |
COS 316 |
COS 424 |
COS 324 |
COS 429 |
COS 426 |
COS 484 |
COS 448 |
Systems Focused
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 217 |
COS 226 |
COS 240 |
COS 484 |
COS 445 |
COS 418 |
COS 424 |
COS 333 |
COS 316 |
COS 461 |
COS 318 |
COS 432 |
Theory Focused
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 226 |
COS 217 |
COS 423 |
COS 333 |
COS 424 |
COS 316 |
COS 426 |
COS 240 |
COS 487 |
COS 445 |
COS 451 |
COS 433 |
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Focused
Fall 1 |
Spring 1 |
Fall 2 |
Spring 2 |
Fall 3 |
Spring 3 |
Fall 4 |
Spring 4 |
COS 126 |
COS 217 |
COS 226 |
COS 240 |
COS 333 |
COS 445 |
COS 316 |
COS 429 |
COS 302 |
COS 324 |
COS 424 |
ORF 309 |
COS 485 |