Department of Computer Science

Introduction

One of the first universities to introduce computer science into its curriculum - in 1957 - Bucknell continues its commitment to providing students with a state-of-the-art computer science curriculum.

For students majoring in computer science there are three degree options--a bachelor of science in computer science and engineering in the College of Engineering, and both a bachelor of science in computer science and a bachelor of arts in computer science in the College of Arts and Sciences. A minor in computer science also is available. These degree options allow students to choose a program compatible with their curricular interests.

All the computer Science degree programs share a common core of six courses. In the first two courses, students are introduced to problem-solving and program design using Java. The second year includes courses in computer organization and assembly language as well as the structure of computer programming languages. The final two courses in the core provide introductions to advanced data structures and algorithm analysis as well as operating systems.

Following the common first semester in engineering, students begin the B.S. in computer science and engineering curriculum with the common core of computer science courses. A required course in computer architecture is taken in the fall of the senior year. An important part of the program for engineering majors is a required senior design project that deals with the design of a solution for an open-ended problem on a topic of current interest in computer science. The curriculum in the junior year for both bachelor of science programs includes a course on the societal impact of computer science.

Elective courses available in all programs allow students to choose from such topics as graphics, software engineering, distributed systems, computer networks, database management systems, functional programming, object-oriented languages, computer security, web retrieval, and new topics of current interest.

The bachelor of science degree in the College of Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Computer Sciences Accreditation Board (CSAB). The bachelor of science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences is accredited by CSAB.