Explore the bits and bytes
Think computer science is just about coding? Think again! Our faculty and students work across disciplines, studying the ways technology informs our understanding of other fields and how to apply technology to solve our thorniest problems. From algorithmic analysis of cancer genomes, to underwater robotics; from diabetes research, to evolving computer programs using evolutionary concepts from biology; from online communities, to machine learning fairness; from digital humanities, to cognitive science; from data science, to art; if there’s a mash-up of fields, chances are one of our faculty or students is working on it!
Our department community welcomes people of all interests and backgrounds. Whether you’ve never taken a computer science class before, or are a seasoned member of your high school’s robotics team, you’ll find a home in the CS department.
Info for First-Year Students
Can I major in Computer Science?
Yes, a major in Computer Science is offered, and no prior experience with computers or programming is necessary.
Topics explored: Algorithms, artificial intelligence, software design, databases, data mining, graphics, security, computer networks, natural language processing, operating systems, social networks, theory of computation, evolutionary computation, and data visualization. These are a sampling of topics covered in our major; for more information, check out the complete listing of CS courses.
What courses should I take first?
- The natural place to start is in CS 111 (Introduction to Computer Science). CS 111, which is offered every term, requires no previous experience in computer science, is required for the computer science major, and is a prerequisite for all other courses in the department.
- If you received a score of 4 or better on the Advanced Placement Computer Science A exam, you should enroll in either CS 201 or CS 202. If you have taken the AP CS Principles exam but not the AP CS A exam, you should choose CS 111 as your first CS course at Carleton.
- If you have other previous computing experience that may be roughly equivalent to Introduction to Computer Science, you may be able to place out of CS 111. Take the CS Placement Exam, and we’ll work with you to figure out the right place to start.
- If you have additional questions, or have previous experience beyond the scope of CS 111 (as described under “Placement without Credit” on the Exceptions and Clarifications page), contact the chair of the Computer Science Department at cs@carleton.edu.
For more information, you can review the CS Course Guide, which is linked on the page Choosing Courses.
How to Get Involved
There are plenty of ways to be involved in the CS department, and we hope that all students interested in computing will decide to participate!