Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Students in the B.S. program in Computer Science are expected to acquire the following skills upon graduation:

• Identify, use, design, develop and analyze appropriate abstractions and algorithms to solve problems while being able to prove the algorithm’s performance and correctness across a variety of metrics (e.g., time, space, parallel vs. sequential implementation, computability).
• Implement solutions to problems in domains such as artificial intelligence, graphics and sound, software engineering, and human-computer interaction, by applying the fundamentals of those areas to create solutions to current problems while being exposed to research developments that will enable them to adapt as the technology changes.
• Reason about and implement programs in various programming languages and paradigms.
• Describe, specify, and develop large-scale, open-ended software systems subject to constraints such as performance and/or resource issues.
• Communicate technical material effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Work both individually and in teams.
• Identify the social impact of computing and apply legal, moral and ethical standards when analyzing the impact of computing technologies.

Due to the tremendous number of ongoing research projects within the School, many students obtain part-time or summer jobs or receive independent study credit, working on research while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Students seeking a research/graduate school career may pursue an intensive course of research, culminating in the preparation of a senior research thesis.

The School of Computer Science also offers B.S. degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Human-Computer Interaction, and Robotics, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and the Arts (jointly with the College of Fine Arts). More detail about the Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Human-Computer Interaction, and Robotics majors as well as the Computer Science and the Arts program is available in separate sections of the Undergraduate Catalog. SCS offers additional majors in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Robotics, and minors (to non-CS majors) in Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Language Technologies, Machine Learning, Neural Computation, Robotics, Societal Computing, and Software Engineering. Information about additional majors and minors in SCS besides those in Computer Science are listed in a separate section in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Curriculum - B.S. in Computer Science

The following requirements are for students entering Fall 2026.

Computer Science

Computer Science Core (all of the following):		Units
07-128	First Year Seminar	3
15-122	Principles of Imperative Computation (students without credit or a waiver for 15-112, Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science, must take 15-112 before 15-122)	12
15-150	Principles of Functional Programming	12
15-210	Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms	12
15-213	Introduction to Computer Systems	12
15-251	Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science	12
15-451	Algorithm Design and Analysis	12

Two School of Computer Science electives:		Units
These electives can be from any SCS department (Computer Science [15-], Computational Biology [02-], Human-Computer Interaction [05-], SCS Interdisciplinary [07-], Machine Learning [10-], Language Technologies [11-], Robotics [16-], or Software & Societal Systems [17-]). They must be 200-level or above and at least 9 units each, with the following exceptions:		18
ADDITIONS: 1) students who take two of the major-intro mini-courses (02-180, 05-180, 07-180, or 16-180) during their first year may combine these two mini-courses together to count as one SCS elective; 2) 15-195 and 15-295 can be combined to count as one SCS elective.
DELETIONS: 1) the following courses do NOT count as SCS electives: 02-201, 02-223, 02-250, 02-261, 05-200, 07-300, 07-402, 10-202, 11-423, 15-351, 16-211, 16-223, 16-224, 16-375, 16-376, 16-377, 16-397, 16-480, 16-730, 17-200, 17-333, 17-416, 17-562; 2) some IDeATe courses and some SCS undergraduate and graduate courses might not be allowed based on course content. Always consult with a CS undergraduate advisor before registration to determine eligibility for this requirement.

Mathematics

All of the following Mathematics courses:
15-151	Mathematical Foundations for Computer Science (if not offered, substitute 21-127 or 21-128)	12
21-120	Differential and Integral Calculus	10
21-122	Integration and Approximation	10
21-241	Matrices and Linear Transformations	11
or 21-242	Matrix Theory
21-259	Calculus in Three Dimensions	10
or 21-266	Vector Calculus using Matrix Algebra
or 21-268	Multidimensional Calculus
or 21-269	Vector Analysis
Plus one of the following Probability choices:
15-259	Probability and Computing	12
21-325	Probability	9
21-425	Probability and Martingales	9
36-218	Probability Theory for Computer Scientists	9
36-225 & 36-226	Introduction to Probability Theory and Introduction to Statistical Inference (must take both courses in this sequence to satisfy requirement)	18

Technical Communication

One technical communication course, which satisfies the following learning objectives:

• Audience: Students will be able to analyze the audience or audiences of a work: who the stakeholders are, what those stakeholders are trying to accomplish, and how persuasive communication can help students achieve their goals.
• Written Mechanics: Students will practice developing their professional writing voice, paying attention to spelling, grammar, style, and the use of visual information.  
• Adaptation: Students will be able to adapt expert-level information for a general audience, across textual, graphical, and oral presentation.
• Genres/Templates: Students will practice developing information in a variety of communication contexts, connecting areas of content in their own voice, and leading the reader through a cogent sequence of ideas while working within the constraints of a particular genre or template.
• Peer Review: Students will practice reading and revising the work of themselves and their peers.
• Oral Presentation Mechanics: Students will prepare for the real-time act of presenting to an audience, including delivery, practice, venue setup, and managing presentation support (slides, props, etc.).
• Oral Presentation Development: Students will explore formal and informal modes of communication, selecting, organizing and explaining information for a real-time audience, and increasing clarity with use of structure and style.
• Group Work: Students will practice skills to help them work as a team, stay on track, and produce a group deliverable.

One Technical Communications course:		Units
07-300	Research and Innovation in Computer Science	9
17-200	Ethics and Policy Issues in Computing	9
76-270	Writing for the Professions	9

Science and Engineering

All candidates for the bachelor's degree in Computer Science must complete a minimum of 36 units offered by the Mellon College of Science and/or the College of Engineering (CIT). These courses offer students an opportunity to explore scientific and engineering domains that can influence their effectiveness as computer scientists upon graduation.

Requirements for this component of the degree are listed under the SCS main page under General Education Requirements.

Humanities and Arts

All candidates for the bachelor's degree in Computer Science must complete a minimum of 63 units offered by the College of Humanities & Social Sciences and/or the College of Fine Arts. Some courses from the Tepper School of Business also qualify for this requirement. These courses offer students breadth in their education and perspectives and provide students with a better appreciation of social, artistic, cultural, political and economic issues that can influence their effectiveness as computer scientists upon graduation.

Requirements for this component of the degree are listed under the SCS main page under General Education Requirements.

Required Minor or Concentration

Students completing the bachelor's degree in Computer Science must complete either a minor outside of SCS or a concentration within SCS. A minor is a sequence of (typically 5-6) courses within a particular department to give students a core of a specific discipline but not an entire major of study. Refer to the sections for other CMU colleges for details about available non-SCS minors. An SCS concentration is a sequence of (typically 4-5) courses within an SCS department to give students further depth in specific areas of research important to SCS. SCS concentrations are available only to SCS students and assume that these students have a significant core knowledge in Computer Science including 15-210, 15-213 and 15-251. See the SCS Concentrations section for a list of available concentrations and their requirements. Completion of an additional major (or dual degree) also satisfies this requirement. Students should consult with their academic advisor to plan for their desired minor or concentration starting in the sophomore year.

Double Counting

In general, courses taken in satisfaction of the minor or additional major may also count toward any general education category in the CS major (i.e. courses outside of the Computer Science and Mathematics requirements). Double counting toward Computer Science and Mathematics courses in the CS major is strictly limited and depends on the chosen minor (or additional major). In general, students may double count at most 5 of the 12 core Computer Science requirements toward all other declared additional majors and minors. Additional majors and minors have their own double counting rules as well. Consult with a CS undergraduate advisor and an advisor from the department of the minor (or additional major) for specific restrictions on double counting.

Computing @ Carnegie Mellon (1 course)

The following course is required of all students to familiarize them with the campus computing environment:

99-101

Core@CMU

3

Free Electives

A free elective is any Carnegie Mellon course. However, a maximum of nine (9) units of Physical Education and/or Military Science (ROTC) and/or Student-Led (StuCo) courses may be used toward fulfilling graduation requirements.

Summary of Degree Requirements:

Area	Courses	Units
Computer Science (core courses, constrained electives, and SCS electives)	12	125
Mathematics	6	58
Technical Communication	1	9
Science/Engineering	4	36
Humanities/Arts	7	63
Minor or Concentration Requirement/Free electives	Varies	63
Computing @ Carnegie Mellon	1	3
First Year Seminar	1	3
		360

Sample Course Sequence

The sample given below is for a student who already has credit for introductory programming and one semester of calculus. Students with credit for two semesters of calculus may start with a more advanced math class (e.g. 21-241) in their first year. Students with no credit for introductory programming and/or one semester of calculus will take 15-112 and/or 21-120 in their first semester and shift a few courses to later semesters after consulting with their academic advisor; these students should still be able to complete their degree in four years. It is recommended that students keep their academic load lighter for their Senior Fall semester to account for offsite job interviews or for their Senior Spring semester to account for visits to graduate schools.

Freshman Year:

Fall		Units
07-128	First Year Seminar	3
07-131	Great Practical Ideas for Computer Scientists (optional, not required for CS major)	2
15-122	Principles of Imperative Computation	12
15-151	Mathematical Foundations for Computer Science (if not offered, substitute 21-127)	12
21-122	Integration and Approximation	10
76-101	Interpretation and Argument	9
99-101	Core@CMU	3
		51

Spring		Units
15-150	Principles of Functional Programming	12
15-213	Introduction to Computer Systems	12
21-259	Calculus in Three Dimensions	10
xx-180	SCS Major Intro Mini	5
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
		48

Sophomore Year:

Fall		Units
15-210	Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms	12
21-241	Matrices and Linear Transformations	11
xx-xxx	Science/Engineering Course	9
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
		50

Spring		Units
15-251	Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer Science	12
xx-xxx	Computer Science: Domains Elective*	9
xx-xxx	Probability Course*	9
xx-xxx	Science/Engineering Course	9
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
		48

Junior Year:

Fall		Units
15-451	Algorithm Design and Analysis	12
xx-xxx	Computer Science: Logic/Languages Elective*	9
xx-xxx	Technical Communications Course*	9
xx-xxx	Science/Engineering Course	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
		48

Spring		Units
15-xxx	Computer Science: Systems Elective*	12
xx-xxx	Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence Elective*	9
xx-xxx	Science/Engineering Course	9
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
		48

Senior Year:

Fall		Units
xx-xxx	School of Computer Science Elective	9
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
		36

Spring		Units
xx-xxx	School of Computer Science Elective	9
xx-xxx	Humanities and Arts Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
xx-xxx	Minor Requirement / Free Elective	9
		36

Minimum number of units required for the degree:360

*

The flexibility in the curriculum allows many different schedules, of which the above is only one possibility. Some elective courses are offered only once per year (Fall or Spring). Constrained electives (probability, logic/languages, software systems, artificial intelligence and domains) may be taken in any order and in any semester if prerequisites are met and seats are available. Constrained electives are shown in the specific semesters in the schedule above as an example only. Students should consult with their academic advisor to determine the best elective options depending on course availability, their academic interests and their career goals.  

Undergraduate Research Thesis

CS majors may use the SCS Honors Research Thesis as part of their degree. The SCS Honors Undergraduate Research Thesis (07-599) typically starts in the fall semester of the senior year, and spans the entire senior year. Students receive a total of 36 units of academic credit for the thesis work, 18 units per semester. Up to 18 units can be counted toward CS elective requirements (9 per semester for 2 semesters maximum).  Students interested in research may also consider using Research and Innovation in Computer Science (07-300, 9 units) as their technical communications requirement in their junior year since this course will introduce students to various research projects going on in the School of Computer Science that may lead to a senior thesis. This course leads to a subsequent Research Practicum in Computer Science (07-400, 12 units) that allows students to complete a small-scale research study or experiment and present a research poster. Students who use 15-400 to start their senior thesis can use these units toward the required 36 units.

For more information about the SCS Honors Research Thesis, refer to the SCS Honors Research Thesis section for learning objectives, application requirements and expected outcomes.

Dual Degree in Computer Science

Students wishing to pursue a Dual Degree in Computer Science are required to apply in the same way as students wishing to transfer into the Computer Science major. Details are given in the SCS Policies section. Besides the student's primary degree requirements, a student accepted for Dual Degree in CS is required to complete at least 450 units in total and meet all requirements for the CS major including all general education requirements (humanities/arts and science/engineering). Dual degree students do not need to complete 07-128, and these students will replace 15-151 with either 21-127 or 21-128. Since the CS major requires at least a minor or concentration in another area, the student's primary major will substitute for this requirement. Note that the primary major must be completed prior to or at the same time as the dual degree in CS to satisfy the minor requirement; a dual degree in CS cannot be certified if the primary degree is not completed. Students should consult with their CS academic advisor to review all requirements, once approved.

Double-Counting Restriction

Students pursuing a Dual Degree in Computer Science must complete all requirements for the CS primary major (except 07-128 which is not required and 15-151 which will be replaced with 21-127 or 21-128). In addition, at most 5 of the 12 computer science requirements can double count with all other declared majors and minors. Students, especially from interdisciplinary majors or with multiple majors or minors, are urged to consult with all of their academic advisors to determine double-counting restrictions specific to their own situations.