Franklin & Marshall College

Computer Science

The study of computer science includes, but is not limited to, computer programming. We study how computers are organized, how they carry out their operations, how they store and transmit information and how we control and interact with them.

Computer science shares common experiences and paradigms with mathematics, neuroscience and physical sciences, but it is also useful to languages and literature and art. The computer is now deeply embedded in our culture and society, which means that its use and abuse is a cultural and social concern.

A computer science minor will understand what computers can do, can do easily and can do with difficulty; will be able to write complex computer programs; will understand the connection between the computer and his or her own field of interest and be able to apply computer science to that field.

A minor in Computer Science consists of six courses: CPS 111, 112, 210 and 261, or substitutions as approved by the department chairperson; plus two chosen from the following: CPS 338, 365, 368, 370, 480 and 490, MAT 237 and 339, PHI 244, 255, 344 and 355 and PSY 360.

Opportunities exist for students to design a joint or special studies major in Bioinformatics in consultation with the Biology and/or Computer Science chair.

Minors in Computer Science have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University Programs in England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. See the International Programs section of the Catalog for further information.