Printable versions of the Computer Science major requirements and course prerequisites diagrams are below:
CS Major Requirements and Prerequisites Structure (College Core Version) (For students who entered the CS major at TCNJ in Fall 2023 or later semesters)
CS Major Requirements and Prerequisites Structure (Liberal Learning Version) (For students who entered the CS major at TCNJ prior to Fall 2023).
First Year
Fall Semester
CSC 099 / Orientation to Computer Science | 0 course units |
CSC 220 / CS I: Computational Problem Solving | 1 course unit |
MAT 127 / Calculus A | 1 course unit |
FYS / First Year Seminar or FYW / First Year Writing (if not exempted)* | 1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning (Foreign Language suggested)** | 1 course unit |
* Selected to fulfill a College Core/Liberal Learning requirement for Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences and History | |
**Note: Arabic 151 and 152, Chinese 151 and 152, Japanese 151 and 152, and Russian 151 and 152 (offered annually); and Persian 151 and 152 (offered occasionally) are intensive courses and carry two course units of credit each. Students should take this into account when planning a normal four-course semester. |
Spring Semester
CSC 230 / CS II: Data Structures | 1 course unit |
CSC 270 / Discrete Structures | 1 course unit |
MAT 128 / Calculus B or MAT 205 / Linear Algebra or FYS / First Year Seminar (if FYW / First Year Writing was taken in the Fall) or Natural Science (major-level; with lab) |
1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning (Foreign Language suggested) | 1 course unit |
First Year Total: 8 (plus orientation) course units |
Second Year
CSC 199/ CS Professional Development Seminar | 0.25 course unit |
CSC 325 / Computer Architecture | 1 course unit |
CSC 335 / Analysis of Algorithms | 1 course unit |
CSC 315 / Database Systems or CSC 360 / Computer Networks | 1 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems or CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
MAT 205 / Linear Algebra (suggested) or MAT 128 / Calculus B (if not previously taken) | 1 course unit |
Free Elective | 1 course unit |
STA 215 / Statistical Inference | 1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning (World Language suggested) | 1 course unit |
Second Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Third Year – for CS majors intending to apply for jobs in the industry
CSC 299 / Junior Seminar Course | 0.25 course unit |
CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems (if not previously taken) or CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 415 / Software Engineering | 1 course unit |
CSC 435 / Programming Languages or CSC Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
Natural Science (major-level; with lab) | 1 course units |
College Core/Liberal Learning | 2 course units |
Free Elective | 1 course unit |
Third Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Third Year – for CS majors intending to apply to graduate schools
CSC 299 / Junior Seminar Course | 0.25 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems (if not previously taken) or CSC Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC Capstone Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 415 / Software Engineering | 1 course unit |
CSC 445 / Theory of Computation | 1 course unit |
Natural Science (major-level; with lab) | 1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning | 2 course units |
Free Elective (CSC 498 or 499 recommended) | 2 course units |
Third Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Fourth Year – for CS majors intending to apply for jobs in the industry
CSC Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC / Capstone Course (see List); internship suggested | 1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning | 3 course units |
Free Elective | 3 course units |
Fourth Year Totals: 8 course units |
Fourth Year – for CS majors intending to apply to graduate schools
CSC / Option Course (see List) – CSC 435 / Programming Languages recommended |
1 course unit |
CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
College Core/Liberal Learning | 3 course units |
Free Elective – CSC 498 or CSC 499 / Mentored Research I or II (see List) recommended | 1 course unit |
Free Elective | 2 course units |
Fourth Year Totals: 8 course units |