BA/BS in Computer and Information Sciences, General

The computer science department at Lafayette lets students shape their own route through the field, offering degrees in both science and arts tracks along with a minor. Students may also simply enrol in individual courses. The curriculum aims to build habits for continued learning in a fast-changing discipline. Laboratories invite exploration and work at one's own speed, and independent study courses are available for those who want to pursue a topic further. Past student projects have touched graphics, networking, AI, operating system design and the theory of computational complexity. Collaboration is a recurring theme, with team projects in several courses and a campus chapter of the ACM, the computing professional society, which organizes outings, speakers and social gatherings. Students who prefer flexibility can combine the major with other interests, since the department presents several pathways and expects learners to set their own personal goals.