Computer Science (B.A./B.S.)

What You’ll Learn

We offer two degrees in Computer Science: the B.A. and the B.S. The two degrees share a common computing curriculum for the first two years and a common capstone sequence near the completion of the degree. The differences come from the areas of emphasis.

The B.S. in Computer Science is a traditional computing degree that is similar to Computer Science degrees found at most colleges. There are required upper-level foundational computing courses such as Operating Systems, Theory of Algorithms, and Language Theory and Design. These courses provide a grounding in the enduring principles of computing that remain important as technologies change. The 21 total courses in the major include Calculus, Physics, and three computing electives beyond the required courses. One of the electives must focus on modern software technologies. Students in the B.S. would be prepared for pursuit of graduate school in Computer Science or a broad range of career paths in computing.

The B.A. in Computer Science is 18 courses. Either degree can easily accommodate a minor alongside it, but the smaller course count of the B.A. offers more flexibility to pursue a second major or two minors. B.A. students have five computing electives, one of which must be one of the foundational courses mentioned above. The additional electives provide room for students to explore what most interests them. Many students take more of what we call the 34x courses (CSC 340, 341, 343, and 349). These courses focus on modern technologies and development practices, with course topics that evolve as the technology industry changes. The B.S. students are required to take at least one, but with the flexibility of the B.A., students often take three or even all four of those courses.

Why Study Computer Science at La Salle?

These programs also offer a unique fifth year Master’s program option in Computer Information Science or Cybersecurity.

Early Breadth Plus Flexibility

The curriculum for first-year technology students at La Salle offers two distinct advantages.

First, all technology students take a programming class, a networking class, and a database class during their first year. This gives students a broad view of computing at an early stage, before they progress into the upper-level courses.

Second, those three classes are common across our technology majors—Computer Science (B.A./B.S.), Information Technology (B.S.), and Cybersecurity (B.S.). As a result, students can change majors between these programs as late as first semester of their sophomore year without losing any progress at all toward graduation.

Highlighted Courses