Program of Study (CAS Bulletin)

Policy on Declaration of Major or Minor

Students must complete one CSCI-UA course with a recorded grade of C or better before they can declare any major or minor in this department, including the joint majors with mathematics and economics and the joint minor with mathematics. This policy applies to all NYU students, not just to those matriculated in CAS.

Major in Computer Science

The major requires twelve 4-point courses (48 points). Requirements include the following five courses (20 points) in the Department of Computer Science:

  • Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
  • Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102)
  • Computer Systems Organization (CSCI-UA 201)
  • Operating Systems (CSCI-UA 202)
  • Basic Algorithms (CSCI-UA 310)

The major also requires two courses (8 points) in mathematics:

  • Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120)
  • Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or Mathematics for Economics I (MATH-UA 211)

Students must also take five elective courses (20 points) to complete the major, selected from courses numbered CSCI-UA 4XX (400 level electives).

Students may replace a 400 level elective with one of the following mathematics classes:

  • Calculus II (MATH-UA 122) or Mathematics for Economics II (MATH-UA 212). Students must choose one calculus track or the other and cannot mix courses from the two tracks.
  • Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140)
  • Probability and Statistics (MATH-UA 235). Prerequisite: Calculus II or equivalent.

A maximum of two MATH-UA classes can be substituted for 400 level electives.

Policies Applying to the Major

  • A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill major requirements; courses graded pass/fail do not count toward the major.
  • Students must fulfill the prerequisite Introduction to Computer Programming (CSCI-UA 2) before taking Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101), or first take a placement test given by the department.
  • Students are required to take CSCI-UA 101 through CSCI-UA 202 in sequence.
  • Prospective majors must begin the major sequence (CSCI-UA 101) by the first semester of their sophomore year to complete the major requirements in three years.
  • Prospective majors should visit the undergraduate department in Warren Weaver Hall during the fall semester of their freshman year and must declare the major after successfully completing CSCI-UA 101.
  • Advanced Placement (AP) credit for Computer Science A is the equivalent of CSCI-UA 101 and counts toward the major. However, the AP exam in Computer Science Principles cannot count toward any major or minor in this department.
  • CAS students (in any major or minor) are not permitted to take computer science courses in the Tandon School of Engineering.
  • Those interested in the honors program should start the major early enough to take electives first semester of junior year.
  • Those interested in spending a semester away should work out their schedule with an advisor as early as possible.

Recommended Program of Study for the Major in Computer Science:

First year of major:

Fall term: CSCI-UA 101, MATH-UA 121 or 211
Spring term: CSCI-UA 102, MATH-UA 120

Second year of major:

Fall term: CSCI-UA 201, CSCI-UA 310
Spring term: CSCI-UA 202, one computer science elective (not requiring CSCI-UA 202 as a prerequisite)

Third year of major:

Fall term: Two computer science electives
Spring term: Two computer science electives

Joint Major in Computer Science and Mathematics

This is an interdisciplinary major (eighteen courses/72 points) offered by the Department of Computer Science with the Department of Mathematics. A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements. Interested students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies in both departments for additional information.

The mathematics requirements (ten courses/40 points) are as follows (students must choose one calculus track or the other and cannot mix courses from the two tracks):

  • Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120)
  • 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)
  • Calculus III (MATH-UA 123) or Mathematics for Economics III (MATH-UA 213)
  • Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140)
  • Analysis (MATH-UA 325) or Honors Analysis I (MATH-UA 328)
  • Algebra (MATH-UA 343) or Honors Algebra I (MATH-UA 348)

The rest of the ten mathematics courses must include two of the following: Theory of Probability (MATH-UA 233), Mathematical Statistics (MATH-UA 234), Mathematical Modeling (MATH-UA 251), Numerical Analysis (MATH-UA 252), Partial Differential Equations (MATH-UA 263), Functions of a Complex Variable (MATH-UA 282), Honors Analysis II (MATH-UA 329), Honors Algebra II (MATH-UA 349), or Differential Geometry (MATH-UA 377).

All mathematics electives for the joint major must be numbered above MATH-UA 120, and may not include Transformations and Geometries (MATH-UA 270).

The computer science requirements (eight courses/32 points) are as follows:

  • Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
  • Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102)
  • Computer Systems Organization (CSCI-UA 201)
  • Operating Systems (CSCI-UA 202)
  • Basic Algorithms (CSCI-UA 310)
  • Numerical Computing (CSCI-UA 421)
  • Two computer science electives at the 400 level

Students who have taken Numerical Analysis (MATH-UA 252) as one of their math electives for this major must contact the director of undergraduate studies before registering for Numerical Computing (CSCI-UA 421).

Joint Major in Economics and Computer Science

This is an interdisciplinary major (twenty-two courses/88 points) offered by the Department of Computer Science with the Department of Economics. Only those students that are following the theory track in economics are eligible to pursue this joint major. The major has requirements in three departments, including mathematics. A grade of C or better is necessary in all courses used to fulfill joint major requirements. Interested students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies in both departments for additional information. The requirements below are for students who entered NYU in fall 2013 or later.

The economics requirements (nine courses/36 points) are as follows:

  • Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON-UA 1; formerly Economic Principles I)
  • Introduction to Microeconomics (ECON-UA 2; formerly Economic Principles II)
  • Microeconomics (ECON-UA 11)
  • Macroeconomics (ECON-UA 13)
  • Analytical Statistics (ECON-UA 20)
  • Introduction to Econometrics (ECON-UA 266)
  • Two ECON-UA theory electives at the 300 level
  • One additional ECON-UA elective

The computer science requirements (nine courses/36 points) are as follows:

  • Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
  • Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102)
  • Computer Systems Organization (CSCI-UA 201)
  • Operating Systems (CSCI-UA 202)
  • Basic Algorithms (CSCI-UA 310)
  • Plus four computer science electives at the 400 level. One of these electives may be replaced by Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140), or by Strategic Decision Theory (ECON-UA 310), Advanced Micro Theory (ECON-UA 365), or Topics in Economic Theory (ECON-UA 375)

The mathematics requirements (four courses/16 points) are as follows:

  • Discrete Mathematics (MATH-UA 120)
  • Math for Economics I (MATH-UA 211)
  • Math for Economics II (MATH-UA 212)
  • Math for Economics III (MATH-UA 213)

Minor in Computer Science

The requirements are these four courses (16 points) with a grade of C or better:

  • Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
  • Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102)
  • Computer Systems Organization (CSCI-UA 201)
  • Any more advanced course in this department for which a student meets the prerequisites. For example: Operating Systems (CSCI-UA 202), a 400-level elective, or Basic Algorithms (CSCI-UA 310; requires Discrete Mathematics, MATH-UA 120).

Minor in Web Programming and Applications

The requirements are these four courses (16 points) with a grade of C or better (not open to students in the Stern School of Business):

  • Introduction to Computer Programming (CSCI-UA 2)
  • Introduction to Web Design and Computer Principles (CSCI-UA 4)
  • Web Development and Programming (CSCI-UA 61)
  • Any more advanced course in this department for which a student meets the prerequisites. For example: Topics of General Computing Interest (CSCI-UA 380) or Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101).

Joint Minor in Computer Science and Mathematics

The requirements are these four courses (16 points) with a grade of C or better:

  • Calculus I and II (MATH-UA 121, 122), or Mathematics for Economics I and II (MATH-UA 211, 212). Students must choose one calculus track or the other and cannot mix courses from the two tracks.
  • Introduction to Computer Science (CSCI-UA 101)
  • Data Structures (CSCI-UA 102)

Students who wish to double-count courses for the math portion of the minor and another requirement may count at most two such courses toward the minor. At least two of the courses in total and at least one of the math courses must be taken in residence at New York University.

Joint B.S./B.S. Program with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering

The department offers CAS students a dual five-year B.S./B.S. program with the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Students in the program receive the B.S. degree in computer science from CAS and the B.S. degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering from NYU Tandon. For further information visit http://cas.nyu.edu/engineering.html or visit the College Advising Center, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 905; 212-998- 8130.

Honors Program

A degree in computer science is awarded with honors to selected majors who successfully complete the requirements of the honors program. The requirements (fifteen courses/60 points) include the following computer science courses: CSCI-UA 101, CSCI-UA 102, CSCI-UA 201, CSCI-UA 202, CSCI-UA 310, CSCI-UA 421, and CSCI-UA 453; two semesters of Independent Research (CSCI-UA 520 and 521); two advanced computer science electives at the 400 level; and the following mathematics courses: MATH-UA 120, MATH-UA 121 or 211, MATH-UA 122 or 212 (students must choose one calculus track or the other to follow and cannot mix courses from the two tracks), and MATH-UA 140. Note that students who have taken Numerical Analysis (MATH-UA 252) must contact the director of undergraduate studies before registering for Numerical Computing (CSCI-UA 421).

Research work must culminate in a thesis (typically 40 to 60 pages in length) to be presented at the College's Undergraduate Research Conference, held every April. An overall and major GPA of 3.65 is required.

Information on honors programs in the joint computer science/mathematics and economics/computer science majors can be found on the department's website.

Computer Facilities

The Department of Computer Science has access to a variety of computers for both research and instructional use. The primary platforms for instructional use are PC and Mac. Upper-level courses may also use Linux workstations and servers and High Performance Computing resources. Most instructional facilities are operated by NYU Information Technology Services (ITS), and students should visit the ITS website for complete information on services, hours of operation, and conditions of access.

The Department of Computer Science also has its own network of Windows and Linux workstations, used primarily for research purposes. The department operates research laboratories for experimental computer science research in programming languages, distributed computing, computer vision, multimedia, and natural language processing; most are located at 715 and 719 Broadway. Selected undergraduates assist in work on these areas at this facility.