Computer Science, Bachelor of Science

Admission

Computer Science Scholars Pilot Program
Highly qualified incoming freshman Computer Science students will be placed in a special Scholars track of the Computer Science curriculum.  The Scholars track will consist of the same sequence of required courses that comprise the standard track, but the courses will be taught with a higher level of academic rigor, including programming assignments that are significantly more challenging for these highly qualified students.  The pace of the courses will be accelerated as the students will more quickly grasp the programming concepts, leaving more time for enrichment topics, outside speakers, student presentations on topics of interest, etc.  For the pilot program, the Scholars sequence will include four courses (Programming Fundamentals I and II, Introduction to Data Structures, and Discrete Mathematics).  If the pilot is successful, the faculty will consider expansion of the Scholars sequence to include Advanced Data Structures, Software Design Methods, and the capstone Software Engineering course. 

For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission online. Or contact us directly at the campus of your choice:

Admission Office - Queens Campus
718-990-2000
[email protected]

Courses

There are several tracks a student can take to earn a degree in Computer Science. Please click on the links below to be taken to that tracks requirements.

• Computer Science
• Computer Science (Business Option)
• Computer Science (Cyber Security Systems Option)
• Computer Science (Healthcare Informatics Option)
• Computer Science (Networking and Telecommunications Option)

Computer Science

To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science, students complete 120 credits, in major-sequence, elective courses, and core requirements as outlined below.

Major Area Requirements: 30 Credits

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 6 additional credits in Computer Science

Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits

* A second language (6 credits) may be substituted for these courses.

Other Liberal Arts Requirements: 27 Credits

And 6 additional credits in Mathematics Courses selected from:

And 3 additional credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics selected from:

Free Electives: 6 Credits

Computer Science (Business Option)

To earn their Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science/Business Option, students complete 120 credits in major-sequence, elective courses, and core requirements as outlined below.

Major Area Requirements: 24 Credits

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 6 additional credits in Computer Science

Specialized Major Area Requirements: 18 Credits

Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits

*A second language (6 credits) may be substituted for these courses.

Other Liberal Arts Requirements: 21 Credits

And 3 additional credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics selected from:

Free Electives: 3 Credits

Computer Science (Cyber Security Systems Option)

To earn their Bachelor of Science Degree in Cyber Science/Security Systems Option, students complete 120 credits in major-sequence, elective courses, and core requirements as outlined below.

Major Area Requirements: 24 Credits

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 6 additional credits in Computer Science

Specialized Major Area Requirements: 18 Credits

And 3 additional CSS credits from the following courses:

Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits

And 3 additional credits Theology

*A second language (6 credits) may be substituted for these courses.

Other Liberal Arts Requirements: 21 Credits

And 3 additional credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics selected from:

Free Electives: 3 Credits

Computer Science (Healthcare Informatics Option)

To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science/Healthcare Informatics Option, students complete 120 credits, in major-sequence, elective courses, and core requirements as outlined below.

Major Area Requirements: 24 Credits

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 6 additional credits in Computer Science

Specialized Major Area Requirements: 18 Credits

Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits

And 3 additional credits Theology

* A second language (6 credits) may be substituted for these courses.

Other Liberal Arts Requirements: 21 Credits

And 3 additional credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics selected from:

Free Electives: 3 Credits

Computer Science (Networking and Telecommunications Option)

To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science/Networking Option, students complete 120 credits, in major-sequence, elective courses, and core requirements as outlined below.

Major Area Requirements: 21 Credits

And 3 Credits from the following courses:

And 6 additional credits in Computer Science

Specialized Major Area Requirements: 21 Credits

And 9 additional credits from the following courses:

Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits

And 3 additional credits Theology

* A second language (6 credits) may be substituted for these courses.

Other Liberal Arts Requirements: 21 Credits

And 3 additional credits in Biology, Chemistry or Physics selected from:

Free Electives: 3 Credits

Career Outcomes

The B.S. Degree Program in Computer Science prepares students to become life-long learners and successful professionals in the field by achieving these fundamental objectives:

• Knowledge of the physical and logical principles that determine how computers work.
• Proficiency in the basic mathematics employed in computer science.
• Ability to explain key logical constructs that underlie all computer programming.
• Differentiate among essential data structures used in computer programming, and explain how they work.
•  Gain knowledge of algorithms and their role in computer science.
• Identify, explain and apply fundamental structured programming techniques.
• Apply mathematical concepts to technical problem-solving situations
• Utilize important data structures and associated algorithms in the development of computer programs.
• Develop computer programs using functional programming and object-oriented programming paradigms.
• Apply techniques of software validation and reliability analysis to the development of computer programs.
• Demonstrate the critical thinking and communication skills required in a technical environment.
• Acquire the knowledge, skills, experience and values to become lifelong learners able to obtain employment in a computer-related field or go on to graduate study. 

Students also will demonstrate proficiency in a second, complementary area by mastering a computer science-related option within the main program (not required for the degree).

Objectives: Business Option

• Demonstrate knowledge of the basic elements of business administration—accounting, business law, management and marketing.
• Use computer systems to solve problems in a business setting.
• Compare and contrast essential communications technologies and explain how they work.
• Identify central issues in telecommunications.
• Apply techniques of analyzing, designing and implementing telecommunications systems.

Objectives: Computer Security Systems Option

• Identify major threats to computer systems and networks.
• Formulate and implement solutions that prevent cyber attacks.
• Demonstrate knowledge of central legal and ethical issues in computer security.

Objectives: Networking and Telecommunications Option

• Identify the major issues involved with designing and maintaining computer and telecommunications networks.
• Formulate and implement solutions to networking problems and challenges as experienced by corporations, nonprofit institutions and government agencies.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the theory and application underlying the design of computer network systems.

Objectives: Healthcare Informatics Option

• Respond to the pressing national goal to improve the efficiency, quality and accessibility of the American health care system.
• Develop the computer systems that will facilitate the delivery of health care around the world.

Global Approach to Education

Students also benefit from St. John's focus on an international academic experience. The University offers extensive study abroad courses during the academic year as well as the winter and summer semesters. Students can live and learn at St. John's Rome, Italy, campus and Paris, France, location.

Additional Information

St. John's is committed to preparing students majoring in computer security with the technological proficiency to meet the challenges of the 21st Century. The University is equipped to meet the instructional needs of students and faculty through state-of-the-art academic computing facilities, including microcomputer laboratories, microcomputer classrooms and multimedia classrooms.

St. John's computer labs contain more than 300 Intel workstations and more than 30 high-end Macintosh computers, with the latest software for Windows and Macintosh platforms. All computers are connected to UNIX servers, Windows NT file servers and St. John's top-ranked wireless network.

More than 90 percent of St. John's classrooms have state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, including wireless connectivity. Each classroom podium is equipped with the latest workstations, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and DVD/VCR players. 

Students gain an academic and professional edge by joining the Computer Science Society (CSS). One of more than 180 student clubs and organization at St. John's, CSS integrates classroom experience with real-world, industry-related experiences. Through networking with industry professionals, holding informative workshops and preparing members for job interviews, CSS supplies the tools necessary to develop into forward-thinking leaders of the technological revolution.

Computer Science majors also may qualify for any of the varied honor societies at St. John's. For example, The College of Professional Studies Honor Society recognizes undergraduates for academic excellence and demonstrable involvement in their churches and communities.

Of course, Computer Science majors have access to the outstanding resources available to every St. John's student. Facilities include our 1.7 million-volume University Library and our new D'Angelo Center — a five-story, 127,000-square-foot University and Student Center with classrooms, lecture halls, a Starbucks Café and a full-service food court.

Students take advantage of St. John's location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Center have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area. Students also make New York their classroom through innovative courses like Discover New York.