Advice for Majoring or Minoring
If you are thinking about majoring or minoring in computer science, welcome, we would love to have you. A major in computer science consists of eight computer science classes and two classes in mathematics. A minor in computer science consists of six computer science classes. Because the first four computer science classes for both the major and minor need to be taken in order, both degrees require at least four semesters (i.e., two full years) to complete. If you are a freshman or a sophomore, you can comfortably complete all the requirements for either degree and graduate from Austin College in four years. If you are a first-semester junior, then you can comfortably complete a minor and still graduate in four years. We try to be as flexible as we can. So, please come talk with either Professor Michael Higgs or Professor Aaron Block, and we will work with you on a case-by-case basis.
Formal Requirements
Major in Computer Science
A major in computer science consists of a minimum of eight approved computer science course credit units, including the following core courses: Computer Science 201, 211, and 221. Students must earn a grade of C or above in these core courses. In addition, a major includes approved computer science elective courses to reach eight or more course credits, of which two must be numbered 300 or above, and one numbered 400 or above. Mathematics 120 and 151 also are required.
Minor in Computer Science
A minor in computer science consists of a minimum of five approved computer science course credit units, including the following core courses: Computer Science 201, 110 (if required), and 120 (if required), 211 and 221. Students must earn a grade of C or above in each of these core courses. A minor also must include one approved computer science elective courses numbered 300 or above.
Interdisciplinary majors and minors are also available.
More information about the formal requirements can be found in the Austin College Bulletin.
Possible Four Year Class Schedule
The following schedule can give you an idea of what classes you can expect to take at Austin College if you choose to major in computer science. The computer science schedule is flexible enough to accommodate both a semester studying abroad and/or a double major. (We have even had a few well-planned students study aboard for a full year and double major in computer science and an unrelated discipline.)
Freshman Fall
- CS 110 – Introduction to Computer Science
- CI 101 – Communication/Inquiry
- Foreign Language class first semester
- Social Science class
Freshman Spring
- CS 120 – Intermediate Computer Programming
- MATH 151 – Calculus I
- Foreign Language class second semester
- Humanities Class
Sophomore Fall
- CS 201 – Discrete Mathematics
- CS 221 – Core Fundamentals II
- Foreign Language class third semester
- Social Science class
Sophomore Spring
- CS 211 – Core Fundamentals I
- Humanities class
- A class for your minor
- Natural Science class
Junior Fall
- CS 300/400 – an upper level computer science class
- MATH 120 – Statistics
- A class for your minor
- Humanities class
Junior Spring
- Study Abroad
Senior Fall
- CS 300/400 – an upper level computer science class
- Natural Science class
- Humanities class
- A class for your minor
Senior Spring
- CS 300/400 – an upper level computer science class
- Three additional electives that focus on your interests and/or finish your minor