Courses
This page displays the schedule of Bryn Mawr courses in this department for this academic year. It also displays descriptions of courses offered by the department during the last four academic years.
For information about courses offered by other Bryn Mawr departments and programs or about courses offered by Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges, please consult the Course Guides page.
For information about the Academic Calendar, including the dates of first and second quarter courses, please visit the College's calendars page.
Spring 2025 CMSC
| Course | Title | Schedule/Units | Meeting Type Times/Days | Location | Instr(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMSC B113-001 | Computer Science I | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Park 245 |
Kumar,D., Kumar,D. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM M | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B151-001 | Introduction to Data Structures | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Park 337 |
Dinella,E., Dinella,E. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B223-001 | Systems Programming | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 10:10 AM-11:30 AM TTH | Park 337 |
Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM T | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B231-001 | Discrete Mathematics | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM TTH | Park 245 |
Zhou,Y., Zhou,Y. |
| Laboratory: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM TH | Park 230 |
||||
| CMSC B240-001 | Principles of Computer Organization | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM TTH | Park 337 |
Kumar,D., Kumar,D. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | Park 230 |
||||
| CMSC B311-001 | Computational Geometry | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Park 159 |
Xu,D., Xu,D. |
| Laboratory: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM T | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B340-001 | Analysis of Algorithms | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM MW | Park 159 |
Xu,D., Xu,D. |
| Laboratory: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM T | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B355-001 | Operating Systems | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM TTH | Park 336 |
Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM TH | Park 231 |
||||
| CMSC B383-001 | Recent Advances in Computer Science: Software Analysis | Semester / 1 | LEC: 10:10 AM-11:30 AM MW | Park 337 |
Dinella,E., Dinella,E. |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM M | Park 230 |
||||
| CMSC B399-001 | Senior Conference | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-3:00 PM F | Park 337 |
Dept. staff, TBA |
| CMSC B400-001 | Senior Thesis | 1 | Normoyle,A. | ||
| CMSC B400-002 | Senior Thesis | 1 | Xu,D. |
Fall 2025 CMSC
| Course | Title | Schedule/Units | Meeting Type Times/Days | Location | Instr(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMSC B109-001 | Introduction to Computing | Semester / 1 | LEC: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Wehar,M., Wehar,M., Xu,D. | |
| LEC: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | |||||
| CMSC B113-001 | Computer Science I | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM TTH | Wehar,M., Wehar,M., Xu,D., Xu,D. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM T | |||||
| CMSC B151-001 | Introduction to Data Structures | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM MW | Dinella,E., Dinella,E. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | |||||
| CMSC B223-001 | Systems Programming | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 10:10 AM-11:40 AM TTH | Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM T | |||||
| CMSC B231-001 | Discrete Mathematics | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 6:30 PM-8:00 PM MW | Department staff,T., Xu,D. | |
| CMSC B240-001 | Principles of Computer Organization | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM TTH | Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM TH | |||||
| CMSC B340-001 | Analysis of Algorithms | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Dinella,E., Dinella,E. | |
| Laboratory: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM TH | |||||
| CMSC B373-001 | Artificial Intelligence | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 10:10 AM-11:30 AM MW | Kumar,D., Kumar,D. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM M |
Spring 2026 CMSC
| Course | Title | Schedule/Units | Meeting Type Times/Days | Location | Instr(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMSC B109-001 | Introduction to Computing | Semester / 1 | LEC: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Xu,D. | |
| CMSC B113-001 | Computer Science I | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM TTH | Wehar,M., Wehar,M. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:30 PM TH | |||||
| CMSC B151-001 | Introduction to Data Structures | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 1:10 PM-2:30 PM MW | Dinella,E., Dinella,E. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | |||||
| CMSC B223-001 | Systems Programming | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 10:10 AM-11:30 AM TTH | Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM T | |||||
| CMSC B231-001 | Discrete Mathematics | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 6:30 PM-8:00 PM MW | Zhou,Y., Zhou,Y. | |
| Laboratory: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM TH | |||||
| CMSC B340-001 | Analysis of Algorithms | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM MW | Xu,D., Xu,D. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM W | |||||
| CMSC B355-001 | Operating Systems | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM TTH | Normoyle,A., Normoyle,A. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM TH | |||||
| CMSC B383-001 | Recent Advances in Computer Science: Software Analysis | Semester / 1 | LEC: 11:40 AM-1:00 PM MW | Dinella,E., Dinella,E. | |
| Laboratory: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM M | |||||
| CMSC B399-001 | Senior Conference | Semester / 1 | Lecture: 2:40 PM-4:00 PM F | Dept. staff, TBA | |
| CMSC B400-002 | Senior Thesis | 1 | Xu,D. |
2025-26 Catalog Data: CMSC
CMSC B109 Introduction to Computing
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
The course is an introduction to computing: how we can describe and solve problems using a computer. Students will learn how to write algorithms, manipulate data, and design programs to make computers useful tools as well as mediums of creativity. Contemporary, diverse examples of computing in a modern context will be used, with particular focus on graphics and visual media. The Processing/Java programming language will be used in lectures, class examples and weekly programming projects, where students will learn and master fundamental computer programming principles. Students are required to register for the weekly lab. Prerequisites: Must pass either the Quantitative Readiness Assessment or the Quantitative Seminar (QUAN B001).
Quantitative Methods (QM)
Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)
Scientific Investigation (SI)
Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Data Science.
CMSC B113 Computer Science I
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
This is an introduction to the discipline of computer science, suitable for those students with a mature quantitative ability. This fast-paced course covers the basics of computer programming, with an emphasis on program design, problem decomposition, and object-oriented programming in Java. Graduates of this course will be able to write small computer programs independently; examples include data processing for a data-based science course, small games, or estimating likelihood of probabilistic events, etc.. No computer programming experience is necessary or expected. Students are required to register for a weekly lab.
Course does not meet an Approach
Quantitative Methods (QM)
Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)
Counts Toward: Data Science.
CMSC B151 Introduction to Data Structures
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
Introduction to the fundamental algorithms and data structures using Java. Topics include: Object-Oriented programming, program design, fundamental data structures and complexity analysis. In particular, searching, sorting, the design and implementation of linked lists, stacks, queues, trees and hash maps and all corresponding complexity analysis. In addition, students will also become familiar with Java's built-in data structures and how to use them, and acquire competency using a debugger. Students must also register for the weekly lab. Prerequisites: CMSC B109 or CMSC B113 or CMSC H105, or permission of instructor.
Quantitative Methods (QM)
Scientific Investigation (SI)
Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Data Science.
CMSC B223 Systems Programming
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
Systems programming provides a foundation for the implementation of programs and toolkits that serve as infrastructure for other software, such as compilers, operating systems, networking APIs, and graphics engines. Topics include pointers, bit representations of data, x86_64 assembly, memory management, processes, and threads. In this class, students will gain hands-on experience implementing low-level algorithms and data structures using C. Furthermore, students will build technical skills related to makefiles, interactive debugging, version control, and command-line shell interaction. C++ and STL will be introduced at the end of the course.. Students must register for the weekly lab. NOTE: CMSC B223 and CMSC H251 cover overlapping material and students may not take both. Prerequisites: CMSC B151 or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231..
Course does not meet an Approach
CMSC B231 Discrete Mathematics
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
An introduction to discrete mathematics with strong applications to computer science. Topics include propositional logic, proof techniques, recursion, set theory, counting, probability theory and graph theory. Prerequisites: CMSC B113 or B109 or H105 or H107
Quantitative Methods (QM)
Counts Toward: Mathematics.
CMSC B240 Principles of Computer Organization
Fall 2025
A lecture/laboratory course studying the hierarchical design of modern digital computers. Combinatorial and sequential logic elements; construction of microprocessors; instruction sets; assembly language programming. Lectures cover the theoretical aspects of machine architecture. In the weekly laboratory, designs discussed in lecture are constructed in software. Prerequisite: CMSC B151, or CMSC H106, or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231.
Course does not meet an Approach
CMSC B245 Principles of Programming Languages
Not offered 2025-26
An introduction to the study of programming languages. Where do programming languages come from and how do they evolve? And why should a programmer choose one over another? This course explores these topics by covering several different programming language features and paradigms, including object-oriented, functional, and dynamic. It also looks at the history and future of programming languages by studying the active development of several real-world languages. The course has a weekly lab component where students explore several programming languages with hands-on exercises. Prerequisite: CMSC B151 or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231.
Course does not meet an Approach
CMSC B283 Topics in Computer Science
Section 001 (Fall 2024): Game Programming
Not offered 2025-26
This is an intermediate-level topics course. Course content varies. Prerequisites: CMSC B151 or CMSC H106/107, and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231, or permission of instructor
Course does not meet an Approach
CMSC B311 Computational Geometry
Not offered 2025-26
A study of algorithms and mathematical theories that focus on solving geometric problems in computing, which arise naturally from a variety of disciplines such as Computer Graphics, Computer Aided Geometric Design, Computer Vision, Robotics and Visualization. The materials covered sit at the intersection of pure Mathematics and application-driven Computer Science and efforts will be made to accommodate Math majors and Computer Science majors of varying math/computational backgrounds. Topics include: graph theory, triangulation, convex hulls, geometric structures such as Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulations, as well as curves and polyhedra surface topology. Prerequisite: CMSC B151 or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231, or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231, or permission of instructor.
Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)
Counts Toward: Mathematics.
CMSC B313 Computer Graphics
Not offered 2025-26
An introduction to the fundamental principles of computer graphics, including 3D modeling, rendering, and animation. Topics cover: 2D and 3D transformations; rendering techniques; geometric algorithms; 3D object models (surface and volume); visible surface algorithms; shading and mapping; ray tracing; and select others. Prerequisites: CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231, CMSC B246 and MATH B203 or MATH H215, or permission of instructor.
CMSC B325 Computational Linguistics
Not offered 2025-26
Introduction to computational models of understanding and processing human languages. How elements of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence can be combined to help computers process human language and to help linguists understand language through computer models. Topics covered: syntax, semantics, pragmatics, generation and knowledge representation techniques. Prerequisite: CMSC B151 , or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231, or permission of instructor.
Counts Toward: Computational Methods; Linguistics; Neuroscience; Philosophy.
CMSC B337 Algorithms: Design and Practice
Not offered 2025-26
This course examines the applications of algorithms to the accomplishments of various programming tasks. The focus will be on understanding of problem-solving methods, along with the construction of algorithms, rather than emphasizing formal proving methodologies. Topics include searching, sorting, search engine indexing, Page Rank, pattern recognition algorithms, decision trees, neural nets, graph algorithms, error correcting codes, data compression, public key cryptography, digital signatures, cryptographic hash functions, etc. Also includes measuring program performance, programing pitfalls, code optimization, etc. This writing intensive course also focuses on student-led class discussions and formal presentations. Prerequisites: CMSC B151 or H106 and CMSC B231 or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231.
CMSC B340 Analysis of Algorithms
Fall 2025, Spring 2026
This course will cover qualitative and quantitative analysis of algorithms and their corresponding data structures from a precise mathematical point of view. Topics include: performance bounds, asymptotic and probabilistic analysis, worst case and average case behavior and correctness and complexity. Particular classes of algorithms will be studied in detail. This course fulfills the writing requirement in the major. Prerequisites: CMSC B151, or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231, or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231 or permission of instructor.
Writing Intensive
Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)
Counts Toward: Mathematics.
CMSC B355 Operating Systems
Spring 2026
A practical introduction to modern operating systems, using case studies from UNIX, MSDOS and the Macintosh. Topics include computer and OS structures, process and thread management, process synchronization and communication, resource allocations, memory management, file systems, and select examples in protection and security. This This is a challenging, implementation-oriented course with a strong lab component. Prerequisite: CMSCB223 or CMSC H251
CMSC B373 Artificial Intelligence
Fall 2025
Survey of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the study of how to program computers to behave in ways normally attributed to "intelligence" when observed in humans. Topics include heuristic versus algorithmic programming; cognitive simulation versus machine intelligence; problem-solving; inference; natural language understanding; scene analysis; learning; decision-making. Topics are illustrated by programs from literature, programming projects in appropriate languages and building small robots. Prerequisites: CMSC B151 or CMSC H106 or CMSC H107, and CMSC B231, or CMSC H231 or MATH B231 or MATH H231.
Counts Toward: Neuroscience; Philosophy.
CMSC B383 Recent Advances in Computer Science
Section 001 (Fall 2024): Machine Learning
Section 001 (Spring 2025): Software Analysis
Section 001 (Spring 2026): Software Analysis
Spring 2026
This is a topics course. Course content varies.
Current topic description: This course offers an introduction to the theoretical foundations of software analysis and its applications in software engineering and security. Effective program analysis is essential for ensuring the reliability, security, and performance of software systems.
CMSC B399 Senior Conference
Seminar in computer science with regular oral presentations, weekly written reflections, and a final written report. Class discussions of foundational Computer Science research, oral and written presentations of research results will be emphasized. Required for all computer science majors in their senior year.
CMSC B400 Senior Thesis
Seminar for seniors writing theses, supervised by a member of the Computer Science department. A senior thesis has an expectation of producing new knowledge or advancement in a specific research area, and working with oral and written exposition of advanced material, culminating in a written report. This course is optional and does not fulfill any major/minor requirement.
CMSC B403 Supervised Work/Independent Study
Students wishing to engage in in-depth study of content not typically covered in a computer science course can engage in this under the guidance of a faculty member. Students should closely consult with a faculty advisor prior to registering for this class. This class does not fulfill any major/minor requirement.