Undergraduate
Why Study Computer Science?
The purpose of the degree programs in the Department of Computer Science is to provide coursework and other opportunities that will produce broadly educated majors and minors who are capable of adapting to new intellectual challenges and emerging technologies and who are proficient at algorithmic problem solving and critical analysis.
In the context of the liberal arts tradition, we seek to enrich and broaden the education of all students by offering introductory courses that expose students to the technology that underlies computer systems and algorithmic problem solving and that encourage them to grapple with some of the ethical issues raised by information technology.
Planning for a Computer Science Major
There is no prior computer science experience needed to succeed as a major. To declare a major, students must have (earned a grade for or AP credit for) a total of at least 40 credit hours at WFU including both CSC 111 and CSC 112, and have a 2.0 in all CSC courses taken:
Students who are interested in the BS in Computer Science are suggested to take reference on the below schedule:
| First Year | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC 111 | CSC 201 | CSC 231 | 12 hrs 300-level CSC courses |
| CSC 112 | MTH 112 | CSC 250 | CSC 399 |
| MTH 117 | MTH 121 or 205 | CSC 251 | |
| MTH 111* | CSC 301 |
Students who are interested in the BA in Computer Science are suggested to take reference on the below schedule:
| First Year | Sophomore | Junior | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSC 111 | CSC 201 | CSC 250 | 6 hrs CSC 300- level courses |
| CSC 112 | MTH 112 or STA111 or 112 | CSC 251 | CSC 399 |
| MTH 111* | MTH 121 or 205 | 3 hrs CSC 200- level course | |
| MTH 117 | 3 hrs CSC 191- level course |
- These schedules distribute the workload and provide flexibility at the elective level
- MTH 111 is not a required course but is a prerequisite for MTH 112
- Students with appropriate experience or AP scores may skip CSC 111 and go straight to CSC 112.
- Students who wish to demonstrate appropriate experience without AP should contact the Department Chair.
- For students entering Wake Forest in Fall 2022 or later, 4 hours of credit is given for CSC 111 with a score of a 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science A exam. For students entering before Fall 2022, 4 hours of credit is given for CSC 111 with a score of a 5 on the AP Computer Science A exam; students with a score of 4 can skip CSC 111 but do not get credit for the course.
- Completing CSC 111, CSC 112, CSC 201, and MTH 117 by the end of the fall semester of the sophomore year provides the best flexibility, especially for the Bachelor of Science.
- Reviewing prerequisites for the 300-level electives may help decide which 200-level courses to take early. For example, CSC 250 and 251 are prerequisites for CSC 348 Computer Security.
- Review the math requirements for Computer Science B.A. and B.S. and consider taking some math in the first two years.
- Students wishing to take graduate-level classes, 6XX or 7XX, for undergraduate or graduate credit, should follow the directions at Undergraduates Taking Graduate courses.