Computer Science
Overview
Computers have transformed our world technologically, economically, and socially. Although computer science has its roots in mathematics, the use of computers increasingly informs almost every academic discipline. At Occidental College, the study of Computer Science emphasizes an understanding not only of the process of computing but also of the promise and limitations of computers within an intellectual, societal, and ethical framework. A major or minor in Computer Science can help prepare students for a variety of opportunities for subsequent employment or graduate work. Moreover, the program can provide students with models of problem solving and theoretical constructs that can shed light on human intelligence and the workings of the mind.
Students must have completed COMP 131 before they declare the major, and are strongly encouraged to have also taken COMP 149 and COMP 229. Students considering the Mathematics or CS+X concentration should begin meeting with an advisor early on. Students in the CS+X concentration should submit a proposal using this webform to the Department Chair for approval prior to the beginning of their Junior year.
Major Requirements
Computer science is a broad field, encompassing topics from digital logic and advanced mathematical theory to video games and data science. At the same time, these foundations and applications require fundamental knowledge of how a computer works, as well as the ability to translate processes into working programs. The Computer Science major coursework mirrors this structure. A student majoring in Computer Science must take a minimum of 12 courses (48 units) and take or pass out of Calculus I.
COURSEWORK
Required Courses
| COMP 131 | Fundamentals of Computer Science | 4 units |
| COMP 229 | Data Structures | 4 units |
| | | |
| COMP 149 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 4 units |
| | Or | |
| | | |
| MATH 210 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 units |
| | And | |
| MATH 214 | Linear Algebra | 4 units |
| | | |
| COMP 239 | Computer Organization | 4 units |
| COMP 390 | Computer Science Junior Seminar | 4 units |
| COMP 490 | Senior Seminar | 4 units |
Concentrations
Students should meet with an advisor early on to explore potential pathways through the major. Students will select one of the following three concentrations:
Computational Mathematics Concentration
To complete this concentration, students must take or pass out of Calculus II. They must also take:
| MATH 210 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 units |
| MATH 214 | Linear Algebra | 4 units |
| COMP 317 | Algorithms Analysis | 4 units |
| | Two additional COMP courses at the 300-level or above | 8 units |
| | Two additional MATH courses (*see below*) | 8 units |
| | | |
| | And | |
| MATH 352/COMP 352 | Computability and Complexity | 4 units |
| | Or | |
| COMP 353 | Information Theory | 4 units |
*Students may apply any 4-unit Mathematics course at the 300-level towards this requirement. Students may also apply MATH 212 towards this requirement.
Computer Science Concentration
Six courses 200-level or above in at least two different sub-fields of computer science (artificial intelligence, interfaces, security, systems/software, and/or theory). At least three of those courses must be at the 300-level. COMP 317 is highly recommended for students interested in graduate school. Students can count at most two courses from the Additional Electives (below) towards the major in this pathway.
This pathway is designed to give students broad working knowledge of the many facets of the field, while maintaining freedom to pursue specific topics in depth.
CS+X Concentration
Six courses 200-level or above, with at least three of those courses at the 300-level. Students must complete two CS courses in different sub-fields, a four-course interdisciplinary concentration around a computer science or technology theme (for a total of 24 units), plus a senior comprehensive project related to the theme. At least three of the four courses in the interdisciplinary concentration must be outside of and not cross-listed with Computer Science, and at most two of these courses can be double-counted for another major/minor.
This pathway reflects the growing importance of computer science in many fields, and allows students to explore the intersection of technology with their other academic interests. Students who are interested in the CS+X option will work with an advisor to propose the interdisciplinary concentration of four courses on a related theme. Proposals must include an intellectual rationale for the course selection. A faculty member outside of Computer Science must approve the proposal and agree to act as an outside advisor for the senior comprehensive project. The proposal should be submitted to the department using this form no later than two semesters prior to the semester of graduation, and at least two weeks before Advising Week.
Any changes to the pathway must be approved via a Petition for Special Consideration, signed by the academic advisor, the department chair, and the outside advisor for the CS+X theme, and submitted to the Registrar's Office no later than the week prior to registration in the semester before graduation.
Sub-fields
Interfaces
Security
Artificial Intelligence
Theory
Software
The name of this sub-field has changed from "Systems" to "Software." This is not an additional sub-field. Students that have taken courses listed as satisfying the Systems sub-field will apply these toward the Software sub-field.
Additional Electives
Students may select courses from the list below to satisfy a major elective.
Second-Stage Writing Requirement
Students majoring in Computer Science will satisfy the college's Second-Stage Writing Requirement by receiving at least a C in COMP 390, typically offered in spring, and satisfactorily completing its writing component. The writing requirement must be completed by May of the student's junior year; students considering study abroad must coordinate with the department early to ensure that they can fulfill the writing requirement. We recommend that students do not study abroad in the spring of their junior year or the fall of their senior year.
In order to graduate, students who fail to fulfill the writing requirement by the deadline will be required to (1) take a composition course in the Writing & Rhetoric Department, approved by the Computer Science department chair and the Director of Writing Programs; and (2) include and complete a written component in their senior comprehensive that meets the approval of the Computer Science faculty.
Comprehensive Requirement
In the senior year, the student will complete a project on a topic in Computer Science. The project is coordinated with the work of the Computer Science Senior Seminar (COMP 490). All majors take the Senior Seminar in the fall semester of the senior year. Students considering study abroad must coordinate with the department to ensure the completion of their senior comprehensive project, but we recommend not studying abroad during fall of senior year.
To earn credit for COMP 490, students will present their completed project to the computer science faculty at a public showcase open to the campus community, in addition completing a thesis on their work. Example projects include a fully functional and user-tested mobile app, a research paper in computer science, or a review of technology policies and their impacts. Students who pursue the CS+X pathway must complete a comprehensive project related to their theme. Distinction will be awarded by the Computer Science faculty (and in consultation with external faculty for students pursuing CS+X) to exceptionally strong comprehensive projects.
College Honors
Honors in Computer Science may be awarded to graduating seniors who demonstrate excellence in their coursework and perform additional research related to their senior comprehensive project during the spring semester of their senior year. Intent to propose an honors project is due the first Friday of December, with a full proposal due two weeks before the start of the spring semester. Decision to accept or reject the proposal will be communicated to the student before the first day of classes in the spring semester. Course credit will be awarded through independent study or directed research. Honors will be awarded based on evaluation of the honors project by Computer Science faculty. To be eligible, students must have a 3.5 grade point average in the major and a 3.25 overall grade point average.
Minor Requirements
COURSEWORK
Students seeking a Computer Science Minor must complete six courses (24 credits) which satisfy the following:
- Two courses are required: COMP 131 and COMP 229.
- At least four (16 credits) of the six courses (24 credits) in the Minor must be COMP courses at the 200-level or higher.
- One of the following two choices is also required to fulfill the mathematics component of the Minor: COMP 149 or MATH 210 and MATH 214.
| COMP 131 | Fundamentals of Computer Science | 4 units |
| COMP 229 | Data Structures | 4 units |
| | Three 4-unit COMP courses at the 200-level or above | 12 units |
| | | |
| COMP 149 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 4 units |
| | Or | |
| | | |
| MATH 210 | Discrete Mathematics | 4 units |
| | And | |
| MATH 214 | Linear Algebra | 4 units |
Transfer Credit Policies
The Computer Science Department policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for details. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science examination is equivalent to COMP 131, and places a student into COMP 229 (Data Structures). For students who have taken the AP Computer Science Principles examination, who have taken IB or A-Level examinations in Computer Science, who have transfer credit, or are in similar situations, the department will evaluate each student’s situation individually. In general, to place out of COMP 131, a student should be proficient in variables, branches (if, else), loops (for, while), functions (parameters, scope, return versus print), and object-oriented programming (classes versus instances, constructors, passing familiarity with inheritance). All other students should begin with COMP 131 as soon as possible. Note that Computer Science majors and minors who place out of COMP 131 through means other than the AP Computer Science examination will need to take additional COMP units to make up for the four units otherwise earned with COMP 131.
Students receiving a 4 or 5 on the AP Statistics Examination are exempt from COMP 146; MATH 150 is recommended for these students wanting to take further statistics courses.
Information that can be included in this section include:
- specific policies for majors/minors
- AP/IB Exam credit - course equivalencies?
- Online courses
- Policies specifically for matriculating frosh, transfer students, returning students after a leave of absence
Information that can be included in this section include:
- specific policies for majors/minors
- AP/IB Exam credit - course equivalencies?
- Online courses
- Policies specifically for matriculating frosh, transfer students, returning students after a leave of absence
Courses
Computer Science Courses
Faculty
Regular Faculty
Kathryn Leonard, chair
Professor
B.S., University of New Mexico; M.S., Ph.D., Brown University
Celia Chen
Assistant Professor
B.S., Indiana University, Bloomington
Justin Li
Assistant Professor
B.S., University of New Mexico; M.S., Ph.D., Brown University
On Special Appointment
Hsing-Hau Chen
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
BA., B.S., M.S., National Taiwan University; M.S., Ph.D., University of Southern California
Jeffrey Miller
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.S., University of California, Davis; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Umit Yalcinalp
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.A., Middle East Technical University; M.S., Ph.D.,Case Western Reserve University