Minor in Computer Science
Photo by Tori Repp/Fotobuddy
The program welcomes students not only from areas that traditionally make heavy use of computation (such as engineering, the natural sciences, and mathematics) but also from newer and emerging application areas (such as neuroscience, digital humanities, technology policy, music, visual arts, economics, linguistics, and philosophy).
Many students find this program an effective way to apply computer science to their own specialties and to understand how computation and technology are transforming our world.
Admission to the Program
This program is open to all undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior year (except those majoring in Computer Science). Students are admitted to the program after they have declared their major and successfully completed COS 126 and either COS 217 or COS 226.
Requirements
Students are required to take a total of five computer science courses, as detailed below:
- Core: COS 126 (or ECE 115) and either COS 217 or COS 226.
- Electives: Three additional Princeton COS courses at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level, except IW courses (COS 397, 398, 497, and 498). This includes courses cross-listed in COS, regardless of the home department. It excludes graduate courses, courses taken at other institutions, and courses outside the COS department that are not cross-listed.
- If a student takes both COS 217 and COS 226, then one of them may count as an elective.
Placing out of COS 126: If a student places out of COS 126 (via the COS placement officer), an additional elective must be taken so that the total number of COS courses is five.
Grading: If a student receives a grade of D or F in a course, that course will not count toward satisfying the program requirements.
Pass/D/Fail: Students may use at most one course taken on a Pass/D/Fail basis to satisfy the program requirements. (Courses taken in the Fall of 2020, Spring 2020, and Spring 2021 do not count toward this limit.) To use a course that is P/D/F, you must contact the Minor Program Coordinator, Laura Cerrito at minor@lists.cs.princeton.edu for approval.
Courses used to satisfy department requirements: Students may use at most two courses to simultaneously satisfy requirements for this program and their major.
Enrollment is closed and will reopen in the Spring '25.
For questions about the program that are not answered in the COS minor FAQ, email us at minor@lists.cs.princeton.edu.
