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Suggested Sequence

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

Please note: all Computer Science courses require prior completion of the College Basic Skills Requirements in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing.

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