Computer Science consists of the science of algorithms (theory, analysis, design and implementation) as well as the design and implementation of computer systems. As such it is an interdisciplinary field with roots in mathematics and engineering and applications in many other academic disciplines. The program at Bryn Mawr is founded on the belief that computer science should transcend from being a subfield of mathematics and engineering and play a broader role in all forms of human inquiry. The Computer Science Department is supported jointly by faculty at both Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. The department welcomes students who wish to pursue a major in computer science. Additionally, the department also offers a minor in computer science, a minor in computational methods and a concentration in computer science (at Haverford College). The department also strives to facilitate evolving interdisciplinary majors. Students can further specialize their majors by selecting elective courses that focus on specific disciplinary tracks or pathways within the discipline. All majors, minors and concentrations offered by the department emphasize foundations and basic principles of information science with the goal of providing students with skills that transcend short-term trends in computer hardware and software.
Major in Computer Science
Students are encouraged to prepare a major course plan in consultation with their academic adviser in Computer Science, satisfying the major requirements. Students can specialize in specific disciplinary tracks or pathways by carefully choosing their elective courses. Students should ensure that they have completed at least three courses in computer science by the end of their sophomore year (we highly recommend CMSC 110/113, 206 and 231).
Minor in Computer Science
Students in any major are encouraged to complete a minor in computer science. Please refer the requirements for a minor in computer science, in consultation with an adviser in computer science. These requirements can be combined with any major, depending on the student’s interest and preparation.
Minor in Computational Methods
[Note: As of Spring 2021, this Minor has been deprecated in favor of the Minor in Data Science. Students in the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 who have already declared this Minor will be able to complete it as planned. We are no longer accepting new Minors in this track. Please be in touch with your advisor to discuss.]
This minor is designed to enable students majoring in any discipline to learn computational methods and applications in their major area of study. The requirements include two computational courses depending on a student’s major and interests (there are many such courses to choose from in biology, chemistry, computer science, economics, geology, mathematics, physics, psychology and sociology). Students can declare a minor at the end of their sophomore year or soon after. Students should prepare a course plan and have it approved by at least two faculty advisers. Students minoring in computational methods are encouraged to propose senior projects/theses that involve the application of computational modeling in their major field of study.