CS-BS - Computer Science (BS)

The undergraduate program in Computer Science aims to develop students’ breadth of knowledge across the subject areas of computer science, including their ability to apply the defining processes of computer science theory, abstraction, design, and implementation to solve problems in the discipline. Students take a set of core courses. After learning the essential programming techniques and the mathematical foundations of computer science, students take courses in programming techniques, automata and complexity theory, systems programming, computer architecture, analysis of algorithms, artificial intelligence, and applications. The program prepares students for careers in government, law, and the corporate sector and for graduate study.

Guide to Choosing Introductory Courses

Students arriving at Stanford have widely differing backgrounds and goals, but most find that using computers effectively benefits their education. The department offers many introductory courses to meet the needs of these students.

For students whose principal interest is exposure to the fundamental ideas behind computer science and programming, course or course are the most appropriate courses. They are intended for students in nontechnical disciplines who expect to make some use of computers but do not expect to go on to more advanced courses. course and course meet the Ways of Thinking Ways of Doing breadth requirements in Formal Reasoning and include an introduction to programming and the use of modern Internet-based technologies. Students interested in computer use should consider course, Introduction to Computing at Stanford.

Students who intend to pursue a serious course of study in computer science may enter the program at various levels, depending on their background. Students with little prior experience or those who wish to take more time to study the fundamentals of programming should take course, followed by course. Students in course need not have prior programming experience. Students with significant previous exposure to programming or those who want an intensive introduction to the field may start directly in course. course uses Python as its programming language; course uses C++. No prior knowledge of these languages is assumed, and the previous programming experience required for course may be in any language. In all cases, students are encouraged to discuss their background with the instructors responsible for these courses.

After the introductory sequence, Computer Science majors and those needing a significant computer science background for related engineering majors should take course, course, and course or course. course offers an introduction to the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computer science. course exposes students to various programming concepts that illustrate critical strategies used in systems development; course and course build on this material, focusing on the development of larger-scale software, using systems and networking abstractions.

In summary:

Overseas Studies Courses in Computer Science

See the listings in ExploreCourses or the Bing Overseas Studies website for course descriptions and additional offerings. Students should consult their department or program’s student services office for the applicability of Overseas Studies courses to a major or minor program.

See the Handbook for Undergraduate Engineering Programs (UGHB) for additional information and sample programs,