The CS Major Important changes to the CS Major were announced on December 4, 2008. Visit the following website for details:
http://www.cs.cornell.edu/ugrad/CSMajorTransition08-09.htm
The Computer Science major resides in both
the College of Arts and Science and the College of Engineering. Arts vs. Engineering Degree · Becoming a CS Major · Academic Integrity Code General Description Computer science majors take courses covering algorithms, data structures, logic, programming languages, systems, and theory. Electives include artificial intelligence, computer graphics, computer vision, cryptography, databases, networks, and scientific computing. Requirements include: Visit the Course Conversion website for the 3 digit course numbers used prior to Summer 2008 | a calculus sequence (note different college requirements) | MATH 1110-1120/1220-2210 (A&S) or MATH 1910-1920-2940 (ENGR) | | two semesters of introductory programming | one of CS 1110, 1112, 1113, or 1114 and CS 2110 | | a five-course computer science core | CS 2800, CS 3110, CS 3410 or 3420, CS 4410, CS 4820 | | three 4000+ CS electives each at three credits | CS 4999 NOT allowed | | a CS project course | CS 4121, 4321, 4411, 4450, 4621, 4701, 5150, 5410, 5450, or 6670 | | three 3000+ courses that are technical in nature (3 credit min per course) | | | three 3000+ related courses that are outside of Computer Science and total at least nine credits (3 credit min per course) external specialization | |
In addition, students' course selections must satisfy the two requirements listed below. The two requirements below are distinguished because a single course can satisfy a requirement below and another requirement, such as the major-internal ones listed above or College-level requirements, simultaneously. - a probability course: one of BTRY 4080, ECE 3100, ECON 3190, ENGRD 2700 or MATH 4710. (Choosing a 3000+ level course among these options is strongly recommended.)
- complete one vector. Vectors are CS-centric specializations. The current set of vectors include artificial intelligence, computational science and engineering, data-intensive computing, graphics, human-language technologies, network science, programming languages, security and trustworthy systems, software engineering/code warrior, systems, theory, and a broad Renaissance vector. Detailed information on the requirements of each vector is available here.
The program is broad and rigorous, but it is structured
in a way that supports in-depth study of outside areas.
Intelligent course selection can set the stage for graduate
study and employment in any technical area and any professional
area such as business, law, or medicine. With the advisor,
the CS major is expected to put together a coherent program
of study that supports career objectives and is true to
the aims of liberal education. Two undergraduate degrees are offered: For detailed listings of the course requirements, see the
Engineering Checklist and
the Arts Checklist. The two
degree programs are similar in that they have the same Computer
Science component. However, the two colleges in question
have requirements that reflect notions of liberal
education. For example, the College of Arts and Sciences
has a foreign language requirement while in the College
of Engineering all students are required to take chemistry
and physics. The more suitable program depends how these requirements
sit with your own ideals and the nature of your secondary
interests. For example, it is easier for a CS major
in Engineering to take a lot of courses in hardware and
the supporting technologies. On the other hand, a CS major
in Arts and Sciences can more readily pursue a concentration
in linguistics. Neither program has a particular advantage from the standpoint
of employment or graduate school. Becoming a CS Major
Students in the College of Engineering generally
begin the process of major affiliation during their third
semester. The affiliation forms are available online here. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences can affiliate
in their third semester but are expected to start the process
no later than their fourth semester. All potential affiliates are reviewed on a case-by-case
basis relative to the following criteria: - at least a grade of C in all completed CS and math courses
- a GPA of 2.5 or better in CS 2110 and 2800
- a GPA of 2.5 or better in Math 1120/1220/1920, and CS 2800.
Good grades in may be considered to offset deficiencies in meeting the above criteria. Visit the Course Conversion website for the 3 digit course numbers used prior to Summer 2008 | Critical CS Courses | CS 2110, 2800, 3110, 3410, 3420, 4410, and 4820 |
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| Critical Math Courses | Math 1120, 1220, 1920, 2210, 2230, 2930, 2940,
3360, 3560, CS 2800 and ENGRD 2700 |
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Courses used to determine affiliation may be repeated if
the original course grade is below a "C". The most recent
grade is used when a course is repeated. The CS Undergraduate Committee may postpone an affiliation
decision in order to include grades from specific critical
courses. Students who do not meet these requirements are discouraged
from attempting affiliation with the major. The CS major
can be exceptionally rigorous for students who are not suitably
prepared for the academic requirements of the program. Students who have been rejected from the major are very
strongly discouraged from reapplying. If you do not meet
admission standards for the CS major you will need to apply
for admission to another major at Cornell. Students who
decide to reapply for the major after being rejected once
will be reconsidered if they have met all standards of admission
for the major. No student will be considered for admission
more than twice. A number of students have found it beneficial to major
in another field while maintaining a strong concentration
in CS. Students who take this route will often have a higher GPA than if they had stayed in CS. Many non-CS majors
who have concentrated in CS are recruited just as vigorously
as full CS majors. Non-CS engineers are encouraged to explore the CS
minor option. And while it is not an official program
in the College of Arts and Sciences, students in Arts may
elect to use the Engineering Minor as a model for building
an unofficial concentration in CS. The steps to be followed are listed below:
- READ the requirements for the major and make certain
that you understand the criteria for "Good Standing" in
the major.
- Obtain CS AFFILIATION FORMS from the CS Undergraduate
Office (303 Upson).
- Obtain an OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT from the University Registrar's
Office in Day Hall.
- Bring the official transcript and the completed forms
to the CS Undergraduate Office in (Upson 303). At that
time you may schedule an appointment with the Assistant
Director to review your record and plans. This is especially
recommended if you intend to double major or if your academic
record needs clarification.
NOTE: You are expected to fill out the
field application forms completely. If you leave out information
your affiliation with the field could be delayed.
If you have been accepted into the major you will
receive notice via e-mail, wherein details about your new CS advisor and your CSUG Lab account will be provided. Before meeting with your CS faculty advisor for
the first time, you should complete an academic plan to the best of your ability. Students who are not affiliated with the program by the end of their 4th semester may be prevented from registering for the fifth term and should discuss their situation with their college's advising office. Once you have been accepted into the major, you can keep up-to-date with course and program changes and other goings-on in CS by checking the undergraduate News page frequently.
News items are added a few times each month. In addtion, all CS majors will find it useful to subscribe to the Association
of Computer Science Undergraduates listserv. This important
listserv is used by the department to communicate announcements
of interest to undergraduates, including research opportunities
and job openings. To subscribe: Send email to listproc "at" cornell.edu.
The body of your message should say "SUBSCRIBE ACSU-L". We encourage all students with an interest in CS to join
the ACSU. Visit the ACSU
website for information about the ACSU and about applying
to become a member. Department Policy on Academic
Integrity Violations of the Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity
occurring in Computer Science courses are taken very seriously
by the Computer Science faculty. Therefore, it is necessary
to impress upon students the gravity of violations of the
Code. The following are excerpts from a longer version of
the Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity. The exclusion
of any part does not excuse ignorance of the Code. Principle Absolute integrity is expected of every Cornell student
in all academic undertakings; he/she must in no way misrepresent
his/her work fraudulently or unfairly advance his/her academic
status, or be a party to another student's failure to maintain
academic integrity. The maintenance of an atmosphere of
academic honor and the fulfillment of the provisions of
this Code are the responsibilities of the students and faculty
of Cornell University. Therefore, all students and faculty
members shall refrain from any action that would violate
the basic principles of this Code. General Responsibilities - A student assumes responsibility for the content and
integrity of the academic work he/she submits, such as
papers, examinations, or reports.
- A student shall be guilty of violating the Code and
subject to proceedings under it if he/she:
- knowingly represents the work of others as
his/her own.
- uses or obtains unauthorized assistance in
any academic work.
- gives fraudulent assistance to another student.
- fabricates data in support of laboratory or
field work.
- forges a signature to certify completion or
approval of a course assignment.
- in any other manner violates the principle
of absolute integrity.
Specific Remarks for Students in CS Courses Unless otherwise specified by the individual professor,
the work you do in Computer Science courses is expected
to be the result of your individual effort - the use of
a computer in no way modifies the normal standards of the
above Code. You may discuss work with other students, and
give or receive "consulting" help from other students, but
such permissible cooperation should never involve one student
having in his or her possession a copy of all or part of
another student's assignment - regardless of whether that
copy is on paper, on a computer disk, or in a computer file.
This implies that there is no legitimate reason to send
a copy of a program from one computer account to another,
or to be logged-on to another student's account. Discussion of general strategy or algorithms is permissible,
but you may not collaborate in the detailed development
or actual writing of an assignment. It is also your responsibility
to protect your work from unauthorized access. It is inadvisable
to discard copies of your programs in public places. This
applies to both hand-written and programming assignments.
The penalty for any violation of this Code in Computer
Science courses may be failure in the course. This includes
collaboration, providing a copy, or accepting a copy of
work that is expected to be individual effort. Computer accounts are provided for course work only. They
are not private accounts; they belong to the Department
of Computer Science and the use of these accounts will be
monitored in various ways. Accounts that are abused will
be withdrawn.
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