Undergraduate Degree Programs

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science
• Joint BS/MS Program
• Fast Track BS-MBA
• Dual-Diploma Program

The online University Bulletin contains the official departmental degree requirements and course descriptions.

• Degree requirements can be found by selecting "Computer Science" in the pull-down list under "Undergraduate Fields of Study by Department."
• Undergraduate course descriptions can be found by selecting "Computer Science" in the pull-down list under the heading "Courses by Department."

The University also maintains an online list of courses by semester and department.

Some important documents describing requirements, programs and courses of study:

• Requirements for a bachelor of science in computer science (.pdf, 31kb)
• a sample four-year schedule (.pdf, 18kb) for Undergraduate Computer Science majors, starting with CS 110
•  a sample four-year schedule (.pdf, 18kb) for Undergraduate Computer Science majors, starting with CS 140
• a Dependency Flowchart for CS Required Courses (.pdf, 106kb)
• a list of requirements for a Minor in CS
• Information for international transfer applicants (.pdf, 17kb)

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science

The bachelor of science degree in computer science offered by the Watson School of Binghamton University is accredited by the Computer Accreditation Commission of the

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET),
111 Market Place, Suite 1050,
Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410)347-7700.

In keeping with the mission statement of the Watson School, our program strives to provide its graduates with a firm grounding in the fundamentals of computer science, elements of practical application and an appreciation for liberal learning.

At its core, the degree program aims to provide all graduates with an understanding of the theory and practice of automating the representation, storage and processing of information. With the understanding that our graduates will pursue a wide variety of career paths upon graduation, one of the program's objectives is to provide sufficient flexibility in the curriculum so that graduates will have the ability to work within various areas of computer science and to work across other disciplines.

Program Objectives

To achieve the educational goals outlined above, graduates of the Computer Science program are expected to have:

1. a strong foundation in computer science, including:
    a. software design and development
    b. formal techniques and theory
    c. computer systems

2. the ability to apply knowledge gained in the curriculum to analyze, design, and
implement solutions to a variety of problems

3. a strong foundation in mathematical and scientific principles and an appreciation for the liberal arts and humanities

4. the ability to:
    a. speak and write effectively
    b. learn independently
    c. recognize the importance of ethical and social issues related to computing

Program Outcomes

Students must demonstrate:

1. an ability to apply the principles of computer science to solving problems

2. an ability to design and develop software

3. an understanding of calculus, discrete mathematics, probability and statistics

4. an understanding of automata theory and algorithm analysis

5. an understanding of the principles of computer architecture and operating systems

6. the ability to make effective oral and written presentations on technical topics

7. completion of a broad program of courses in the liberal arts and humanities

8. the ability to learn new material outside the classroom from a variety of sources

9. an understanding of the social and ethical implications of computing 

Joint BS/MS Program

What is it?
A program designed to allow exceptionally capable and motivated undergraduate students interested in pursuing research in the field of computer science to earn both a bachelor's (BSCS) and a master's (MSCS) degree in computer science (thesis option) in a five-year period.

Who is eligible?
Junior computer science majors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, a CS GPA of 3.5 or higher and have completed or are completing at least 6 CS courses and at least 4 math courses.

How to apply?
During your fifth semester, complete the application for BS/MS Engineering or Computer Science Plan form (available in the Computer Science Department office and in the Watson Advising Office). Students who are admitted to the BS/MS will be advised regarding the courses they should take. During the semester in which the BSCS requirements are being completed, submit an application for admission to the MSCS degree program (including GRE scores, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose regarding research interests to the Graduate Admissions Office.

What are the program requirements?
BS/MS students will meet all the requirements for both the BSCS degree and the MSCS degree. BS/MS students will take 12 graduate credits during their third and fourth years. These credits will count toward both the BSCS and the MSCS degrees. During the fourth year, BS/MS students will take a 2-credit undergraduate course that introduces them to CS research and a 2-credit undergraduate course in which they will do pre-thesis research. During the fifth year, BS/MS students will complete a 6-credit thesis as part of the MSCS degree requirements.

When are the degrees awarded ?
The BSCS degree is awarded upon completion of the BSCS requirements. This will normally be at the end of the eighth semester. The MSCS degree is awarded upon completion of the MSCS requirements. This will normally be at the end of the 10th semester. Students must complete the necessary forms, including the Declaration of Candidacy, for both degrees.

More information about combined BS/MS programs can be found on the Graduate School's Accelerated Degrees for Undergraduate Students page.

BS-MS-CS (.pdf, kb) contains the information above, along with a sample schedule.

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Fast Track BS-MBA

The Watson School and the School of Management cooperate to offer a combined Fast -Track BS-MBA Program, which allows Watson students to earn an MBA in one additional year beyond the normal four-year BS degree in Computer Science. Interested students should apply in their junior year, and can obtain more information from the Watson Fast-Track Masters in Business Administration Combined Degree Program page which includes a sample Program of Study (.xls, 17kb) for Computer Science.

SUNY-YÖK Dual-Diploma Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems

Binghamton University, in partnership with YÖK (the Higher Education Council in Turkey, a government entity that oversees higher education in that country), offers a dual-diploma bachelor’s degree in Information Systems. This innovative program prepares students from several prominent research universities in Turkey with high-level substantive knowledge and analytical skills for careers in high-technology areas that require global perspectives. This four-year program includes full-time enrollment for the sophomore year and the senior year at Binghamton University. Dual-diploma students take computer science, general education, management and other courses along side Binghamton students. Graduates of the program receive two diplomas, a bachelor of science degree from the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science and a Lisans in Information Systems Engineering from their home university in Turkey.

Program Requirements:

Course descriptions can be found in the online University Bulletin. In the Courses by Department entry box select Computer Science for CS courses and School of Management for MIS courses.

During the sophomore year Information Systems students take:
CS 210: Computer Systems I: Machine Organization
CS 360: GUI and Windows Programming
MATH 327: Probability with Statistical Methods
WTSN 202: Technical Communications in the U.S.
CS 333: Algorithms
CS 220: Computer Systems II: Architecture and Programming
MIS 311: Information Systems and Applications
Courses needed to meet the Binghamton University General Education requirement

During the senior year Information Systems students take:
CS 435: Introduction to Data Mining
CS 328: Internet Programming
CS 455: Network Security
CS 485: Information Systems Senior Project I
CS 486: Information Systems Senior Project II
Business/Management, Technical and General Education Electives

Faculty

Faculty who regularly teach in the Dual-Diploma program include:

More Information

For more information, refer to the following web sites:

- Dual-Diploma Program with Istanbul Technical University  (bad link)
- Dual-Diploma Program with Bogazici University
- Binghamton University Office of International Programs

Or contact:

Information Systems dual-diploma campus coordinators:
- Margaret Iwobi: Computer Science Department
- Kanad Ghose: Computer Science Department Chair and Professor

Binghamton University dual-diploma campus coordinators:
- Katherine Krebs: director, Office of International Programs
- Oktay Sekercisoy: assistant director, Dual-Diploma Programs

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