Department of Computer Science

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Department of
Computer Science

Undergraduate Programs

Our department offers a Bachelor of Science degree as the primary technical program for undergraduates and a Bachelor of Arts degree for students desiring a liberal arts focus or combining Computer Science with a non-engineering major. We also offer a Computer Engineering (CE) degree in partnership with the ECE department. The majority of our majors pursue the bachelor of science; formal objectives and outcomes for this program are listed below.

Below are some of the most popular focus areas for majors in computer science, reflecting the particular strengths of the department and school. A list of elective CS courses belonging to each area may be found on this diagram. For questions regarding the undergraduates programs, please contact [advising (at) cs.jhu.edu]. For undergraduate admissions information, see the admissions website.

Focus Areas

  • General Computer Science
    (the option of no option)
  • Interactive Systems:
    Robotics, Graphics, Vision
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Computational Biology
  • Fundamentals of Computing
  • Big Data
  • Systems & Networking
  • Information Security
  • Software Engineering
  • Video Game Design
  • Entrepreneurship/Business Computing

Related Programs

Program Statistics

Students come and go from the CS major frequently, but we’ve captured here the enrollment statistics for the 2nd week of each Fall semester, as well as the number of graduating students.

 

AY12-13 AY13-14 AY14-15 AY15-16 AY16-17 AY17-18 AY18-19
Primary BS majors enrollment numbers for 2nd Week of Fall
1st year BS 34 32 53 47 59 72 62
2nd year BS 35 42 44 62 55 73 111
3rd year BS 26 36 48 49 69 70 86
4th year BS 25 23 36 44 60 76 76
5th year BS 4 3 2 4 2 10 8
all years BS 1st major 124 136 183 206 245 301 343
all years BA 1st major 3 3 3 4 8 11 15
all years 2nd majors 15 37 51 53 66 66 91
all years Minors 22 32 43 63 67 118 122
all years Masters 71 72 52 55 85 121 129
all years PhD 85 102 115 121 141 157 162
graduation numbers for August + December + May of each AY  
BS 1st major graduates 27 25 35 38 47 81
BA 1st major graduates 4 1 2 3 3 6
2nd major graduates 4 10 12 7 17 23
Minor graduates 8 8 19 25 25 25
MSE graduates 40 62 46 49 66 81
PhD graduates 7 8 4 18 16 22

 

BS Objectives and Outcomes

The B.S. in Computer Science degree program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

  • BS Program Objectives

    (What we want our graduates to be able to DO several years after graduation.)

    • Successfully engage in professional practice in the computing sciences or apply computer science tools and techniques to another field of interest.
    • Pursue advanced study in the computing sciences.
    • Work successfully in both independent and team environments.
    • Lead teams and provide vision for innovation.
    • Behave in a professional and ethical manner.

  • BS Program Outcomes

    (What skills we expect our students to have by graduation, to facilitate the objectives.)

    • An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline.
    • An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution.
    • An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs.
    • An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal.
    • An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities.
    • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
    • An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society.
    • Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development.
    • An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.
    • An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.
    • An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity.
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