About
Computer Science at Bryn Mawr College
Computer Science is the science of algorithms — their theory,
analysis, design and implementation. As such it is an interdisciplinary
field with roots in mathematics and engineering and applications in
many other academic disciplines. The program at Bryn Mawr is founded
on the belief that computer science should transcend from being a subfield
of mathematics and engineering and play a broader role in all forms
of human inquiry.
The Computer Science Program is supported jointly by faculty at both
Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. The program welcomes students who
wish to pursue a major in computer science. Additionally, the program
also offers a minor in computer science, a concentration in computer
science (at Haverford College) and a minor in computational methods
(at Bryn Mawr College). The program also strives to facilitate evolving
interdisciplinary majors. For example, students can propose a major
in cognitive science by combining coursework from computer science
and disciplines such as psychology and philosophy.
All majors, minors and concentrations offered by the program emphasize
foundations and basic principles of information science, rather than
engineering or data-processing applications. The aim is to provide
students with skills that transcend short-term trends in computer hardware
and software.
Major in Computer Science
Students are encouraged to prepare a major course
plan in consultation with their academic adviser in computer science.
A typical course plan includes three introductory courses (110 or 205,
206 and 231), three core courses (240, 245 and one of 330, 340 or 345),
six electives of a student’s choosing and a senior thesis. Students
declare an independent major in the spring semester of their sophomore
year. Such students should ensure that they have completed at least
three courses in computer science by the end of their sophomore year
(we highly recommend 110, 206 and 231).
Minor in Computer Science
Students in any major are encouraged to complete a minor in computer
science. Completing a minor in computer science enables students to
pursue graduate studies in computer science, in addition to their own
major. The requirements for a minor in computer science at Bryn Mawr
are 110 or 205, 206, 231, any two of 240, 245, 246, 330, 340 or 345,
and two electives chosen from any course in computer science, approved
by the student’s adviser in computer science. As mentioned above,
these requirements can be combined with any major, depending on the
student’s interest and preparation.
Minor in Computational Methods
This minor is designed to enable students majoring in any of the sciences
(biology, chemistry, geology, physics, psychology), classical and Near
Eastern archaeology, economics, growth and structure of cities, mathematics,
philosophy, and sociology, to learn computational methods and applications
in their major area of study. The requirements for a minor in computational
methods at Bryn Mawr are 110 or 205, 206, 231; one of 212, 225, 245,
246, 330, 340 or 361; any two computational courses depending on a
student’s major and interests (there are over 35 such courses
to choose from in biology, chemistry, computer science, economics,
geology, mathematics, physics, psychology and sociology).
Students can declare a minor at the end of their sophomore year or
soon after. Students should prepare a course plan and have it approved
by at least two faculty advisers. Students minoring in computational
methods are encouraged to propose senior projects/theses that involve
the application of computational modeling in their major field of study.
Department Address
Room 348 Park Science Building
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Voice: (610) 526-5358
