Overview

As a computer science student at Calvin, you will learn how to think creatively and logically, while acquiring the technical and communication skills needed to be an innovative leader in the field of computing. Choose from the following majors and minors:

• Computer Science »
• Information Systems
• Digital Communication
• Digital Art »

Most computer science majors complete paid internships in our Senior Internship program.

Careers in Computer Science

• Software Developer/Engineer
• Network/System Administrator
• Web Developer
• Database Administrator
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Abstraction; Calvin Video Network; Visual Arts Guild; work in CIT (Calvin Information Technology)

Course Requirements 2012-13

Computer Science major (BCS)

(39-43 semester hours)

• CS-108 Introduction to Computing
• CS-112 Introduction to Data Structures
• CS-212 Data Structures and Algorithms
• CS-214 Programming Language Concepts
• CS-232 Operating Systems and Networking
• CS-262 Software Engineering
• CS-195 Introductory Computing Seminar (3 semesters)
• CS-295 Computing Seminar (3 semesters)
• CS-384 Perspectives on Computing
• CS-396 Senior Project in Computing
• CS-398 Senior Project in Computing II
• Four from:
  • CS-300 Special Topics in Computer Science
  • CS-312 Logic, Computability and Complexity
  • CS-320 Advanced Computer Architecture
  • CS-332 Advanced Computer Networks
  • CS-342 Database Management Systems
  • CS-344 Artificial Intelligence
  • CS-352 Computer Graphics
  • CS-372 Numerical Analysis
  • CS-374 High Performance Computing
  • CS-386 Computer Security
  • IS-333 Network Administration
  • IS-337 Introduction to Website Administration
  • IS-341 Database Administration
  • ENGR-304 Fundamentals of Digital Systems
  • ENGR-325 Computer Architecture and Digital Systems Design
  • An approved interim.
  • One elective can be taken from:
    • IS-333 Network Administration
    • IS-337 Introduction to Website Administration
    • IS-341 Database Administration

All departmental courses for the BCS must be completed with a grade of C-­- or higher.

Cognates

(39 semester hours)

• CAS-101 Oral Rhetoric
• ENGR-220 Intro to Computer Architecture
• MATH-156 Discrete Math for Computer Science
• MATH-256 Discrete Structures & Linear Algebra
• MATH-171 Calculus I
• MATH-172 Calculus II
• MATH-243 Statistics
• Three college laboratory science electives, including two (but no more than two) courses from one department. These electives may be chosen from:
  • One from:
    • ASTR-211 Planetary & Stellar Astronomy
    • ASTR-212 Galactic Astronomy & Cosmology
  • BIOL-123 The Living World: Concepts & Connections
  • BIOL-141 Cell Biology and Genetics for Health Science
  • BIOL-224 Cellular & Genetic Systems
  • BIOL-225 Ecological & Evolutionary Systems
  • CHEM-103 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM-104 General Chemistry II
  • PHYS-133 Introductory Physics: Mechanics and Gravity
  • PHYS-134 Matter, Space, and Energy
  • PHYS-235 Introductory Physics: Electricity and Magnetism

Computer Science minor

(20-24 semester hours)

• CS-108 Introduction to Computing
• CS-112 Introduction to Data Structures
• CS-212 Data Structures and Algorithms
• Three elective courses (of at least 3 credit hours) from:
  • CS-112 Introduction to Data Structures
  • CS-212 Data Structures and Algorithms
  • CS-214 Programming Language Concepts
  • CS-232 Operating Systems and Networking
  • CS-262 Software Engineering
  • CS-295 Computing Seminar
  • CS-312 Logic, Computability and Complexity
  • CS-320 Advanced Computer Architecture
  • CS-324 Digital Divide
  • CS-332 Advanced Computer Networks
  • CS-342 Database Management Systems
  • CS-344 Artificial Intelligence
  • CS-352 Computer Graphics
  • CS-372 Numerical Analysis
  • CS-374 High Performance Computing
  • IS-333 Network Administration
  • IS-337 Introduction to Website Administration
  • IS-371 Information Systems Leadership
  • ENGR-220 Introduction to Computer Architecture
  • ENGR-325 Computer Architecture & Digital Systems Design
  • At most one approved interim course.
  • At most one elective may be taken from:
    • IS-333 Network Administration
    • IS-337 Introduction to Website Administration
    • IS-341 Database Administration

Scholarships

Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2012-13 academic year.

Steven DeRose Family Scholarship

• award amount: $2,200
• any class level
• HS or Calvin GPA 3.0+
• financial need required
• apply through the computer science department

DornerWorks Computer/Software Engineering Scholarship

• award amount: $2,100
• sophomore, junior or senior
• GPA of 3.3+
• financial need not required; preference to those who have an internship with DornerWorks or to those expressing an interest in embedded systems
• apply through the Calvin Portal

NSF Scientific Computing Scholarship

• award amount: $5,000 to $8,000
• any class level
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need required; US citizen; full-time student; demonstrate an interest in scientific computation and modeling
• apply through the Integrated Science Research Institute

Larry and Sharlene Nyhoff Scholarship in Computer Science

• award amount: $3,500
• first-year
• GPA 2.8+
• financial need considered
• apply through the computer science department

Gordon J. VanderBrug Scholarship

• award amount: $3,100
• junior or senior
• GPA of 3.0+
• financial need not required
• apply through the Calvin Portal

View all scholarship opportunities

Faculty