Computer Science

Computer Science studies the computational structures and processes that appear throughout the natural and human worlds. The study of those processes (known as algorithms) can lend insight into the functioning of our brains, the structure of our genes, the mechanisms by which people form communities, and many other questions in a wide range of disciplines. At the same time, an understanding of algorithms and the structure of data can help us create a tremendous variety of useful software tools. Carleton's computer science curriculum is designed to provide students with a balance between theoretical study and the practical application of theory to the design and construction of software.

Since computer science plays a key role in our world, we recommend Introduction to Computer Science (CS 111) for all Carleton students.

Those who choose to major in computer science find many opportunities following graduation. Carleton Computer Science graduates who pursue employment in the computing industry find jobs in many different roles and at a wide variety of companies. In addition to graduate programs in computer science, Carleton CS majors seeking further education have pursued graduate study in areas such as bioinformatics, linguistics, cognitive science, and law.

Requirements for the Computer Science Major

72 credits required for the major.

  • Courses required for the major. Because the content of CS 202 and MATH 236 have sufficient overlap, we will accept MATH 236 in lieu of the CS 202 requirement.
    • CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science
    • CS 201 Data Structures
    • CS 202 Mathematics of Computer Science
    • CS 208 Introduction to Computer Systems
    • CS 251 Programming Languages: Design and Implementation
    • CS 252 Algorithms
    • CS 254 Computability and Complexity
    • CS 257 Software Design
    • MATH 111 Introduction to Calculus
  • Twelve additional credits from Computer Science
    • Courses numbered 200 or above (excluding independent study, senior seminar and comps).
  • Integrative Exercise: Majors must complete a capstone experience (CS 399 and CS 400) during the senior year. The student will participate on a team of four to seven students working on a faculty-specified project.

Potential majors should take Computer Science 111, Mathematics 111, and at least one of Computer Science 201 and 202 by the end of the sophomore year.

Although only one mathematics course is required for the CS major, we encourage our students to take mathematics and statistics courses beyond Mathematics 111. Students contemplating graduate study should consider taking the full Calculus sequence plus Statistics 120 and Mathematics 232, and additional computer science electives. Those interested in computer engineering should consider taking physics courses through Electricity & Magnetism and Electronics.

Computer Science Courses

CS 099 Summer Computer Science Program Computer science is a rich academic field that seeks to systematically study the processes for solving problems and untangle the complexities in the concrete physical world and the abstract mathematical world. The Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) at Carleton focuses on understanding how to think about these processes, how to program computers to implement them, and how to apply computer science ideas to real problems of interest. 6 credits; Not offered 2023-24
CS 100 Ethics of Technology What should technology know about us? What actions should technology be allowed to conduct on our behalf? Who makes these decisions, and whose voices are excluded from these conversations? Can algorithms ever be truly fair, just, and unbiased, or are they forever doomed to perpetuate existing inequities? We'll address these questions, and many more, as we explore the history, present, and possible futures of the design, implementation, deployment, and usage of algorithms, apps, systems, devices, and all things tech. This course will equip you to perform the complex ethical reasoning required of living in a technically-focused society. 6 credits; AI, WR1; Fall; Amy Csizmar Dalal
CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science This course will introduce you to computer programming and the design of algorithms. By writing programs to solve problems in areas such as image processing, text processing, and simple games, you will learn about recursive and iterative algorithms, complexity analysis, graphics, data representation, software engineering, and object-oriented design. No previous programming experience is necessary. Students who have received credit for Computer Science 201 or above are not eligible to enroll in Computer Science 111. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Fall, Winter, Spring; Sneha Narayan, Tom Finzell, Tanya M Amert, Anya E Vostinar
CS 200 Data Structures with Problem Solving Think back to your favorite assignment from Introduction to Computer Science. Did you ever get the feeling that "there has to be a better/smarter way to do this problem"? The Data Structures course is all about how to store information intelligently and access it efficiently. How can Google take your query, compare it to billions of web pages, and return the answer in less than one second? How can one store information so as to balance the competing needs for fast data retrieval and fast data modification? To help us answer questions like these, we will analyze and implement stacks, queues, trees, linked lists, graphs, and hash tables. This version of Data Structures includes extra class time to support students' problem solving by meeting five days per week, and is encouraged for students who may have struggled in CS111 or otherwise believe they would benefit from extra support. This course fulfills all requirements of CS 201, and students should take only one of CS 200 or CS 201. Prerequisite: Computer Science 111 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Winter; David R Musicant
CS 201 Data Structures Think back to your favorite assignment from Introduction to Computer Science. Did you ever get the feeling that "there has to be a better/smarter way to do this problem"? The Data Structures course is all about how to store information intelligently and access it efficiently. How can Google take your query, compare it to billions of web pages, and return the answer in less than one second? How can one store information so as to balance the competing needs for fast data retrieval and fast data modification? To help us answer questions like these, we will analyze and implement stacks, queues, trees, linked lists, graphs, and hash tables. Students who have received credit for a course for which Computer Science 201 is a prerequisite are not eligible to enroll in Computer Science 201. Prerequisite: Computer Science 111 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Fall, Winter, Spring; Matthew Lepinski, Eric C Alexander, Anya E Vostinar, Sneha Narayan
CS 202 Mathematics of Computer Science This course introduces some of the formal tools of computer science, using a variety of applications as a vehicle. You'll learn how to encode data so that when you scratch the back of a DVD, it still plays just fine; how to distribute "shares" of your floor's PIN so that any five of you can withdraw money from the floor bank account (but no four of you can); how to play chess; and more. Topics that we'll explore along the way include: logic and proofs, number theory, elementary complexity theory and recurrence relations, basic probability, counting techniques, and graphs. Prerequisite: Computer Science 111 and Mathematics 111 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter, Spring; Sneha Narayan, Eric C Alexander
CS 208 Introduction to Computer Systems Are you curious what's really going on when a computer runs your code? In this course we will demystify the machine and the tools that we use to program it. Our broad survey of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate will focus on the hardware/software interface, including data representation, instruction set architecture, the C programming language, memory management, and the operating system process model. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter, Spring; Tanya M Amert, Jeffrey R Ondich, Anya E Vostinar
CS 231 Computer Security Hackers, phishers, and spammers--at best they annoy us, at worst they disrupt communication systems, steal identities, bring down corporations, and compromise sensitive systems. In this course, we'll study various aspects of computer and network security, focusing mainly on the technical aspects as well as the social and cultural costs of providing (or not providing) security. Topics include cryptography, authentication and identification schemes, intrusion detection, viruses and worms, spam prevention, firewalls, denial of service, electronic commerce, privacy, and usability. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200, 201 or 202 or 208. 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 232 Art, Interactivity, and Microcontrollers In this hands-on course, taught (in an art studio) by a sculpture professor and computer science professor, we'll explore and create interactive three dimensional art. Using basic construction techniques, microprocessors, and programming, this class brings together sculpture, engineering, computer science, and aesthetic design. Students will engage the nuts and bolts of fabrication, learn to program microcontrollers, and study the design of interactive constructions. Collaborative labs and individual projects will culminate in a campus-wide exhibition. No prior building experience is required. Prerequisite: Computer Science 111. 6 credits; FSR; Fall; David R Musicant, Stephen Mohring
CS 251 Programming Languages: Design and Implementation What makes a programming language like "Python" or like "Java"? This course will look past superficial properties (like indentation) and into the soul of programming languages. We will explore a variety of topics in programming language construction and design: syntax and semantics, mechanisms for parameter passing, typing, scoping, and control structures. Students will expand their programming experience to include other programming paradigms, including functional languages like Scheme and ML. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200, 201 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter, Spring; David R Musicant, Anna N Rafferty
CS 252 Algorithms A course on techniques used in the design and analysis of efficient algorithms. We will cover several major algorithmic design paradigms (greedy algorithms, dynamic programming, divide and conquer, and network flow). Along the way, we will explore the application of these techniques to a variety of domains (natural language processing, economics, computational biology, and data mining, for example). As time permits, we will include supplementary topics like randomized algorithms, advanced data structures, and amortized analysis. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter, Spring; Layla K Oesper, Eric C Alexander, Jeffrey R Ondich
CS 254 Computability and Complexity An introduction to the theory of computation. What problems can and cannot be solved efficiently by computers? What problems cannot be solved by computers, period? Topics include formal models of computation, including finite-state automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines; formal languages, including regular expressions and context-free grammars; computability and uncomputability; and computational complexity, particularly NP-completeness. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Winter, Spring; Anna N Rafferty, Josh R Davis
CS 257 Software Design It's easy to write a mediocre computer program, and lots of people do it. Good programs are quite a bit harder to write, and are correspondingly less common. In this course, we will study techniques, tools, and habits that will improve your chances of writing good software. While working on several medium-sized programming projects, we will investigate code construction techniques, debugging and profiling tools, testing methodologies, UML, principles of object-oriented design, design patterns, and user interface design. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter, Spring; Anya E Vostinar, Amy Csizmar Dalal, Matthew Lepinski
CS 294 CS Tea Colloquium Students earn credit by attending at least five of the research-based events in the Computer Science department's weekly colloquium series. Speakers come from academia, industry, nonprofits, and government, and present on a variety of topics, within and adjacent to computer science. Students will submit brief written reports after each talk that they attend. Prerequisite: At least one CS course (concurrent enrollment is allowed). 1 credit; S/CR/NC; NE; Fall, Winter, Spring; Layla K Oesper
CS 298 Reading and Analysis Associated with External Computing Experience An independent study course intended for students who require Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) to go with an external activity related to computer science (for example, an internship or an externship). The student will choose and read academic material relating to a practical experience (e.g., internship), and write a paper describing what the student learned from the reading, and how it related to the practical experience. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. 1 credit; S/CR/NC; NE, INT; Fall, Winter, Spring; Eric C Alexander, Anya E Vostinar
CS 301 History of Computing in England Program: History of Computing In the mid-1800s, Charles Babbage's analytical engine, inspired by programmable looms, was the first conception of an automated programmable computing device. A century later, British researchers built some of the first physical computers---particularly WWII-era code-breaking work, and programmable machines developed immediately after the war. We will explore those two eras, through historical writings (including Babbage and Ada Lovelace, who wrote programs for the analytical engine, and Alan Turing) and visits to relevant museums and archives. We will also study some of the more recent history of computing, particularly the major advances in the 1960s and 1970s. Prerequisite: Computer Science 201 and 202 (Math 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 304 Social Computing The last decade has seen a vast increase in the number of applications that connect people with one another. This course presents an interdisciplinary introduction to social computing, a field of study that explores how computational techniques and artifacts are used to support and understand social interactions. We will examine a number of socio-technical systems (such as wikis, social media platforms, and citizen science projects), discuss the design principles used to build them, and analyze how they help people mobilize and collaborate with one another. Assignments will involve investigating datasets from online platforms and exploring current research in the field. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Spring; Sneha Narayan
CS 311 Computer Graphics Scientific simulations, movies, and video games often incorporate computer-generated images of fictitious worlds. How are these worlds represented inside a computer? How are they “photographed” to produce the images that we see? What performance constraints and design trade-offs come into play? In this course we learn the basic theory and methodology of three-dimensional computer graphics, including both triangle rasterization and ray tracing. Familiarity with vectors and matrices, is recommended but not required. Prerequisite: Computer Science 208 or instrutor consent. 6 credits; QRE, FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 314 Data Visualization Understanding the wealth of data that surrounds us can be challenging. Luckily, we have evolved incredible tools for finding patterns in large amounts of information: our eyes! Data visualization is concerned with taking information and turning it into pictures to better communicate patterns or discover new insights. It combines aspects of computer graphics, human-computer interaction, design, and perceptual psychology. In this course, we will learn the different ways in which data can be expressed visually and which methods work best for which tasks. Using this knowledge, we will critique existing visualizations as well as design and build new ones. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Spring; Eric C Alexander
CS 318 Computational Media How does computation enable new forms of creative expression? What kinds of media artifacts and experiences can only happen on computers? In this course, we'll explore these notions through a hands-on survey of various forms of computational media, such as: computer simulation, computer-generated visual art, poetry generation, story generation, chatbots, Twitter bots, explorable explanations, and more. For each topic in the survey, students will learn about the past, present, and future of a given form through short readings and direct engagement with major works. Assignments and a final project will center on the creation of novel media artifacts and also reimplementations of lost or defunct historical programs. Prerequisite: Computer Science 111, 200 or 201. 6 credits; NE; Not offered 2023-24
CS 320 Machine Learning What does it mean for a machine to learn? Much of modern machine learning focuses on identifying patterns in large datasets and using these patterns to make predictions about the future. Machine learning has impacted a diverse array of applications and fields, from scientific discovery to healthcare to education. In this artificial intelligence-related course, we'll both explore a variety of machine learning algorithms in different application areas, taking both theoretical and practical perspectives, and discuss impacts and ethical implications of machine learning more broadly. Topics may vary, but typically focus on regression and classification algorithms, including neural networks. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Winter; Anna N Rafferty, Tom Finzell
CS 321 Making Decisions with Artificial Intelligence There are many situations where computer systems must make intelligent choices, from selecting actions in a game, to suggesting ways to distribute scarce resources for monitoring endangered species, to a search-and-rescue robot learning to interact with its environment. Artificial intelligence offers multiple frameworks for solving these problems. While popular media attention has often emphasized supervised machine learning, this course instead engages with a variety of other approaches in artificial intelligence, both established and cutting edge. These include intelligent search strategies, game playing approaches, constrained decision making, reinforcement learning from experience, and more. Coursework includes problem solving and programming. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 322 Natural Language Processing Computers are poor conversationalists, despite decades of attempts to change that fact. This course will provide an overview of the computational techniques developed in the attempt to enable computers to interpret and respond appropriately to ideas expressed using natural languages (such as English or French) as opposed to formal languages (such as C++ or Lisp). Topics in this course will include parsing, semantic analysis, machine translation, dialogue systems, and statistical methods in speech recognition. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Not offered 2023-24
CS 331 Computer Networks The Internet is composed of a large number of heterogeneous, independently-operating computer networks that work together to transport all sorts of data to points all over the world. The fact that it does this so well given its complexity is a minor miracle. In this class, we'll study the structure of these individual networks and of the Internet, and figure out how this "magic" takes place. Topics include TCP/IP, protocols and their implementations, routing, security, network architecture, DNS, peer-to-peer networking, and Wi-Fi along with ethical and privacy issues. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Winter; Matthew Lepinski
CS 332 Operating Systems If you're working in the lab, you might be editing a file while waiting for a program to compile. Meanwhile, the on-screen clock ticks, a program keeps watch for incoming e-mail, and other users can log onto your machine from elsewhere in the network. Not only that, but if you write a program that reads from a file on the hard drive, you are not expected to concern yourself with turning on the drive's motor or moving the read/write arms to the proper location over the disk's surface. Coordinating all this hardware and software is the job of the operating system. In this course we will study the fundamentals of operating system design, including the operating system kernel, scheduling and concurrency, memory management, and file systems. Prerequisite: Computer Science 201 and 208 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Winter; Tanya M Amert
CS 334 Database Systems Database systems are used in almost every aspect of computing, including managing data for websites and apps, but also large-scale data science archives. Why, and how? This course takes a multi-pronged approach. From a systems perspective, we will look at the low-level details of how a database system works internally, studying data storage, indexing, and query optimization. From a theory perspective, we will examine ideas such as normal forms and relational algebra. From a utilization perspective, we will look at how query languages such as SQL interface with the database system, and understand how SQL queries really work. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 or consent of the instructor. 6 credits; FSR; Spring; David R Musicant
CS 338 Computer Security When hackers can disable gas pipelines, national hospital systems, and electrical grids, and data brokers can create a largely unregulated world-wide surveillance system, there's a clear need for people who understand the mechanisms of computer security and insecurity. Towards that end, in this course we will study technical and social aspects of computer and network security. Topics will include threat modeling, cryptography, secure network protocols, web security, ethical hacking and penetration testing, authentication, authorization, historical hacking incidents, usability, privacy, and security-related law. Prerequisite: Computer Science 201. 6 credits; FSR; Fall; Jeffrey R Ondich
CS 341 History of Computing in England Program: Cryptography Modern cryptographic systems allow parties to communicate in a secure way, even if they don't trust the channels over which they are communicating (or maybe even each other). Cryptography is at the heart of a huge range of applications: online banking and shopping, password-protected computer accounts, and secure wireless networks, to name just a few. In this course, we will introduce and explore some fundamental cryptographic primitives. Topics will include public-key encryption, digital signatures, code-breaking techniques (like those used at Bletchley Park during WWII to break the Enigma machine's cryptosystem), pseudorandom number generation, and other cryptographic applications. Prerequisite: Computer Science 201 and 202. (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of CS 202). 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Not offered 2023-24
CS 344 Human-Computer Interaction The field of human-computer interaction addresses two fundamental questions: how do people interact with technology, and how can technology enhance the human experience? In this course, we will explore technology through the lens of the end user: how can we design effective, aesthetically pleasing technology, particularly user interfaces, to satisfy user needs and improve the human condition? How do people react to technology and learn to use technology? What are the social, societal, health, and ethical implications of technology? The course will focus on design methodologies, techniques, and processes for developing, testing, and deploying user interfaces. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Spring; Amy Csizmar Dalal
CS 347 Advanced Software Design This course helps students to strengthen their ability to design modular, extensible and maintainable software. The focus of the course is on the design of modern cloud applications. Students will learn how to decompose complex applications into a set of back-end services, develop and debug these services, and deploy them in the cloud. This class is structured around a large project that will be extended over the course of the term. Prerequisite: Computer Science 257. 6 credits; FSR; Fall, Spring; Matthew Lepinski
CS 348 Parallel and Distributed Computing As multi-core machines become more prevalent, different programming paradigms have emerged for harnessing extra processors for better performance. This course explores parallel computation for both shared memory and distributed parallel programming paradigms. In particular, we will explore how these paradigms affect the code we write, the libraries we use, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Topics will include synchronization primitives across these models for parallel execution, debugging concurrent programs, fork/join parallelism, example parallel algorithms, computational complexity and performance considerations, computer architecture as it relates to parallel computation, and related theory topics. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201. 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 352 Advanced Algorithms A second course on designing and analyzing efficient algorithms to solve computational problems. We will survey some algorithmic design techniques that apply broadly throughout computer science, including discussion of wide-ranging applications. A sampling of potential topics: approximation algorithms (can we efficiently compute near-optimal solutions even when finding exact solutions is computationally intractable?); randomized algorithms (does flipping coins help in designing faster/simpler algorithms?); online algorithms (how do we analyze an algorithm that needs to make decisions before the entire input arrives?); advanced data structures; complexity theory. As time and interest permit, we will mix recently published algorithmic papers with classical results. Prerequisite: Computer Science 252 or instructor permission. 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 358 Quantum Computing Quantum computing is a promising technology that may (or may not) revolutionize computer science over the next few decades. By exploiting quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement, quantum computers can solve problems in a fundamentally different way from that of conventional computers. This course surveys the computer science and mathematics of quantum algorithms, including Shor's and Grover's algorithms, error correction, and cryptography. No prior experience with quantum theory is needed. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201, Mathematics 232, and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 361 Artificial Life and Digital Evolution The field of artificial life seeks to understand the dynamics of life by separating them from the substrate of DNA. In this course, we will explore how we can implement the dynamics of life in software to test and generate biological hypotheses, with a particular focus on evolution. Topics will include the basic principles of biological evolution, transferring experimental evolution techniques to computational systems, cellular automata, computational modeling, and digital evolution. All students will be expected to complete and present a term research project recreating and extending recent work in the field of artificial life. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201. 6 credits; FSR; Not offered 2023-24
CS 362 Computational Biology Recent advances in high-throughput experimental techniques have revolutionized how biologists measure DNA, RNA and protein. The size and complexity of the resulting datasets have led to a new era where computational methods are essential to answering important biological questions. This course focuses on the process of transforming biological problems into well formed computational questions and the algorithms to solve them. Topics include approaches to sequence comparison and alignment; molecular evolution and phylogenetics; DNA/RNA sequencing and assembly; and specific disease applications including cancer genomics. Prerequisite: Computer Science 200 or 201 and Computer Science 202 (Mathematics 236 will be accepted in lieu of Computer Science 202). 6 credits; FSR, QRE; Winter; Layla K Oesper
CS 399 Senior Seminar As part of their senior capstone experience, majors will work together in teams (typically four to seven students per team) on faculty-specified topics to design and implement the first stage of a project. Required of all senior majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Students are strongly encouraged to complete Computer Science 252 and Computer Science 257 before starting Computer Science 399. 3 credits; S/CR/NC; NE; Fall, Winter; Eric C Alexander, Amy Csizmar Dalal, Layla K Oesper, Jeffrey R Ondich, Anna N Rafferty
CS 400 Integrative Exercise Beginning with the prototypes developed in the Senior Seminar (CS 399), project teams will complete their project and present it to the department. Required of all senior majors. Each CS 400 is paired with a particular section of CS 399, and the prerequisite for CS 400 must be filled by satisfactory completion of that CS 399. Prerequisite: Computer Science 399. 3 credits; S/NC; Fall, Winter; Jeffrey R Ondich, Layla K Oesper, Eric C Alexander, Amy Csizmar Dalal, Anna N Rafferty