Computer Science

Program Director: Torsten Suel

Computer science examines the theory and practice of designing, building and using computers. The field includes the design and analysis of algorithms, principles of programming languages and compilers, operating systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, computer organization and architecture, computational geometry, database systems, parallel and distributed computing, and image analysis and understanding. The Computer Science Program is administered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are accepted into the undergraduate Computer Science Program on the same basis described in the admissions section of this catalog. In addition, the department requires that at least 28 credits in computer science, as well as CS-UY 4513  and CS-UY 4523 , be completed at NYU Tandon. Graduates of technology programs may be able to fulfill the requirements for the BS in Computer Science  in two to three and one-half years, depending on the scope and level of their previous education. Students should consult an undergraduate adviser for details.

Courses taken at other schools may be granted transfer credit after an evaluation of the content and level of material covered. Periodic re-evaluation of courses taken at other institutions may lead to a variation in the number of credits granted year to year. Thus, students completing the same program, but in different years, may receive different numbers of transfer credit. Students should consult a computer science undergraduate adviser for current information. All computer science courses are evaluated by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Transfer students exempted from EG-UY 1003 Introduction to Engineering and Design , must take a substitute course that includes the preparation of presentations. Students should meet with their undergraduate adviser for more information.

Departmental Standards, Probation and Grades of I (Incomplete)

To remain in good academic standing, computer-science majors must satisfy the requirements listed below in addition to maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all courses.

The following requirements apply to all undergraduate computer science students:

1. Students must maintain an average of C (2.0 GPA) or better in all CS courses.
2. Students must earn a grade of C- or better in the following courses: Calculus I (MA-UY 1024 ); Calculus II (MA-UY 1124 ); Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving (CS-UY 1114 ); Data Structures and Algorithms (CS-UY 1134 ); and Object Oriented Programming (CS-UY 2124 ).
3. Students may repeat a course in which they earned a substandard grade, but no CS course may be taken more than three times (grades of W and AUDIT are not counted for the purpose of this rule).
4. A course in which the student received an incomplete (I) grade may not be used to satisfy any prerequisites until the incomplete is resolved. See “Policies on Undergraduate Grading and Grades ” in the “Academic Policies and Degree Requirements” section of this catalog for additional information on incomplete grades.

Students failing to meet any of the above requirements are placed on departmental probation as a warning that they are not progressing acceptably toward their degree. Repeated failure to meet probation requirements may lead to disqualification from the undergraduate computer science program and courses.

Information

For more information related to curriculum and prerequisite changes, new courses, special sections and other last minute announcements go to the Computer Science and Engineering’s website.

Graduate Programs Goals and Objectives

MS in Computer Science

The goals and objectives of the Master of Science in Computer Science  program are to provide students with the following:

• Maximum curriculum flexibility, allowing students to adapt their program to their ambitions and goals as well as to their educational and professional backgrounds;
• A solid grounding in computer-science fundamentals;
• Professional-level courses in computer science;
• Opportunity to specialize in selected technology areas of utmost interest; and
• Opportunities for a research-oriented program, in preparation for the PhD program in computer science.

Requirements for MS in Computer Science

Entrance Requirements
For entrance into the Master of Science degree programs, students are required to have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, science or engineering, with a superior undergraduate record from an accredited institution. Applicants with degrees in other fields are considered individually for admission. Generally, entering students are expected to know mathematics through calculus.

Additional Entrance Requirements

1. At least one year of university-level science.
2. A working knowledge of a high-level, general-purpose programming language (preferably C++).
3. A basic understanding of computer fundamentals such as computer organization and operation, data structures and computer architecture. Students entering with a bachelor’s in computer science or with a bachelor’s in a technical area and a strong minor in computer science should be able to satisfy entrance requirements for the master’s degree program. Students who have superior academic credentials but who lack sufficient background are admitted with conditional status, pending satisfactory completion of several individually specified preparatory courses. In some cases, such students are interviewed to determine the preparatory courses they need to complete. Successful completion of the preparatory courses with a B or better average grade is a necessary condition for transfer to regular status. The demonstrated ability to communicate in written and spoken English is essential for success in pursuing graduate studies in computer science and information-systems engineering; such fluency is required for regular status. Foreign students and others for whom English is a second language may be required to undertake preparatory work to improve their language skills. Admission with advanced standing is accepted in accordance with NYU Tandon regulations published in the catalog. A maximum of 9 credits may be applied to the MS degree from previous graduate work at an acceptable institution.

Preparatory Courses
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers two preparatory bridge courses for students without a working knowledge of a high-level, general-purpose programming language:

• CS-GY 5303 Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
    
• CS-GY 5403 Data Structures and Algorithms
    

Master’s Thesis
Exceptional students may elect to write a master’s thesis, for which no more than 6 credits may be earned toward the degree. Such students should find an adviser who agrees to monitor the thesis research. Such research need not be original, but should demonstrate adequately the student’s proficiency in the subject. An oral defense of the master’s thesis before at least three professors is required.

PhD Program in Computer Science

Graduate students who exhibit a high degree of scholastic proficiency and demonstrate an ability for independent scholarship may consider extending their goals toward the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Programs

• Computer Science Minor
• Game Engineering Minor

• Computer Science, B.S.

• Computer Science Tandon, M.S.

• Computer Science, Ph.D.