Computer Science (BS)

Program Code: U-CPS-BS
Degree Designation: Bachelor of Science
Department: Computer Science Department
Website: cs.duke.edu/undergrad/bs

Program Summary

The Department of Computer Science provides courses on the concepts of computing and computers, their capabilities, and uses. In most courses students make extensive use of the available computing facilities. Students who wish to take a single introductory course as part of their general education usually elect Computer Science 94, 101, 102 or 116.

Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.

Academic Requirements

At least 15 units total to complete the major. At least 34 units total to earn a degree.

• Prerequisites (3 units)

  • Intro Course: COMPSCI 101L, or COMPSCI 102L, or COMPSCI 116

  • Math: MATH 111L & 112L (MATH 21 & 22 and other equivalents may also count)

• Required Courses (4 units)

  • COMPSCI 201

  • COMPSCI 230, or COMPSCI 231D, or COMPSCI 232

  • COMPSCI 210D, or COMPSCI 250D

  • COMPSCI 330

• Systems (1 unit)

  • COMPSCI 310 or 510

  • COMPSCI 316 or 516

  • COMPSCI 345

  • COMPSCI 350L or 550

  • COMPSCI 351 or 581

  • COMPSCI 356 or 514

  • COMPSCI 512

• Statistics (1-2 units)

  • Any STA course 111 and above

  • BME 244L

  • ECON 104D

  • PSY 204L & 205L

• Math (1 unit)

  • MATH 202

  • MATH 216

  • MATH 218D

  • MATH 221

• Electives (5 units)

  • Any 5 courses in COMPSCI, ECE, MATH, or STA 200-level and above

  • Must include 3 COMPSCI course 200-level and above, excluding independent study

  • May include at most 1 social and policy oriented computing course

  • A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.

Areas of Concentration

Students may elect to complete requirements in specified areas of concentration. Currently, available areas of concentration for the computer science BS major are software systems, data science, and artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Departmental Graduation with Distinction

A program for Graduation with Distinction in computer science is available. Candidates for a degree with Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction must apply to the director of undergraduate studies and meet the following criteria. Candidates for Graduation with Distinction must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in computer science courses numbered above 200. Candidates must complete a substantial project, representing at least one year’s work and including at least one independent study, under the guidance of a faculty member in computer science who oversees and endorses the project. The project should represent a significant intellectual endeavor including the writing of a report. A presentation of the project must be made to a committee of three faculty members, two of whom will normally be from computer science although for interdisciplinary projects this restriction can be relaxed. Graduation with High or Highest Distinction is awarded at the discretion of the faculty committee in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Graduation with High or Highest Distinction is typically awarded for projects that are of publishable quality. In addition, candidates for a degree with high or highest distinction should have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in those computer science courses related to the area of research; these courses must include at least one course at the 500 level.