About the Computer Science Program

Computer Science is the study of what can be done with machines. This discipline is part mathematics, part engineering, part philosophy, part linguistics, and part experimental science (without all the mess!). Computer Science studies questions such as

  • What sorts of problems can you solve via computation?
  • Given a problem you can solve, how do you do so most efficiently?
  • How do humans instruct machines to solve problems? In what language does this instruction take place?
  • What applications does computing technology and research have? What are the implications of these applications for our culture?

Computer Science at Lebanon Valley College

Our Computer Science curriculum is distinguished primarily by two things:

  • An emphasis on computer programming. Five of the required seven CS courses are primarily about programming, and programming plays an important role in most of the advanced courses. This emphasis develops strong analysis and problem-solving skills.
  • A decidedly mathematical nature. Our majors take 19 credits of mathematics (seven courses), more than is typical of undergraduate CS programs. This math foundation gives our students an analytical background that applies broadly in their CS coursework, helping them become better programmers and analysts.

Our facilities are good (dedicated, computer-equipped classroom space, department servers administered by students, a campus network featuring fiber-optic service to dorm rooms), but it is the accessibility of our professors that really makes the major work. In the LVC Computer Science program, you will spend a lot of time working one-on-one with faculty, be it on a project for a class, in an independent study course, or as a member of the competitive programming team. It is in this setting that we are able to accomplish the most, and it is a hallmark of our program. Our students work very hard, and our faculty work right along with them.

What Can I Do With a Computer Science Degree from LVC?

Our program has produced many graduates who are highly successful in the computing field. Graduates leave our program ready to apply their knowledge immediately, and equipped to quickly learn new skills in this rapidly evolving field.

Several graduates have gone on to graduate school. One founded his own software firm, one became the director of a school district's computer operations, and one is the chair of a computer engineering department at a major university. Recent graduates have begun their careers with firms such as American Bank, AMP/Tyco, AT&T, Blue Cross, Book-of-the-Month, Carpenter Technology, Datatel, GE, Hershey Foods, IBM, NJP&L, PP&L, and Provident Mutual Insurance Company.

Is Computer Science at LVC Right for You?

Are you interested in programming? Do you like mathematics, and do you want to apply it? Do you want to go to a small school where immediate access to faculty and lots of individual attention are the norm? Are you interested in a broad, liberal education, as provided by LVC's General Education program?

If you answer yes to all of the above, then LVC's CS major may be just your thing. Contact the program director for more information!

Major in Computer Science

About Computer Science

Computer Science is the study of what can be done with machines. This discipline is part mathematics, part engineering, part philosophy, part linguistics, and part experimental science (without all the mess!). Computer Science studies questions such as

  • What sorts of problems can you solve via computation?
  • Given a problem you can solve, how do you do so most efficiently?
  • How do humans instruct machines to solve problems? In what language does this instruction take place?
  • What applications does computing technology and research have? What are the implications of these applications for our culture?

Computer Science at Lebanon Valley College

Our Computer Science curriculum is distinguished primarily by two things:

  • An emphasis on computer programming. Five of the required seven CS courses are primarily about programming, and programming plays an important role in most of the advanced courses. This emphasis develops strong analysis and problem-solving skills.
  • A decidedly mathematical nature. Our majors take 19 credits of mathematics (seven courses), more than is typical of undergraduate CS programs. This math foundation gives our students an analytical background that applies broadly in their CS coursework, helping them become better programmers and analysts.

Our facilities are good (dedicated, computer-equipped classroom space, department servers administered by students, a campus network featuring fiber-optic service to dorm rooms), but it is the accessibility of our professors that really makes the major work. In the LVC Computer Science program, you will spend a lot of time working one-on-one with faculty, be it on a project for a class, in an independent study course, or as a member of the competitive programming team. It is in this setting that we are able to accomplish the most, and it is a hallmark of our program. Our students work very hard, and our faculty work right along with them.

What Can I Do With a Computer Science Degree from LVC?

Our program has produced many graduates who are highly successful in the computing field. Graduates leave our program ready to apply their knowledge immediately, and equipped to quickly learn new skills in this rapidly evolving field.

Several graduates have gone on to graduate school. One founded his own software firm, one became the director of a school district's computer operations, and one is the chair of a computer engineering department at a major university. Recent graduates have begun their careers with firms such as American Bank, AMP/Tyco, AT&T, Blue Cross, Book-of-the-Month, Carpenter Technology, Datatel, GE, Hershey Foods, IBM, NJP&L, PP&L, and Provident Mutual Insurance Company.

Is Computer Science at LVC Right for You?

Are you interested in programming? Do you like mathematics, and do you want to apply it? Do you want to go to a small school where immediate access to faculty and lots of individual attention are the norm? Are you interested in a broad, liberal education, as provided by LVC's General Education program?

If you answer yes to all of the above, then LVC's CS major may be just your thing. Contact the program director for more information!

Major in Computer Science

Computer Science Courses

Take all of:

Foundational aspects of computer programming. Algorithms and data; control structures; the design of small programs. Class and object basics. Uses the Java programming language. 3 credits.
Introduces the design and organization of the major components of a modern computer: CPUs, memory, storage, and other related hardware. Continues the study of programming started in CSC 131 via programming projects related to the study of computer architecture. Prerequisite: CSC 131 or permission. 3 credits.
Begins the study of large-scale software systems. Introduces the C++ programming language and fundamental data structures like vectors, lists, and trees. MAS 162 and CSC 132, or permission. 3 credits.
A continuation of CSC 231. Applications of data structures, object-oriented programming, design patterns, and other techniques to the design and implementation of large software systems. Prerequisite: CSC 231. 3 credits.
A survey of modern techniques for designing complex software systems. Investigates both programming techniques and processes. Includes substantial programming projects that continue in CSC 332. Prerequisite: CSC 282. 3 credits.
A continuation of CSC 331. Must be taken in the semester immediately following CSC 331. Prerequisite: CSC 331. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course

Take at least two of:

Theory and practice of modern operating systems. Topics include memory management, file systems, scheduling, concurrency, distributed processes, and security. Prerequisite: CSC 282 and MAS 251. 3 credits.
Network design and implementation. Topics include layered network design, types of hardware, low-level protocols, packest, frames, routing, security, and so on. Prerequisite: CSC 282 and MAS 251. 3 credits.
The theory, structure and implementation, and application of modern database systems. Prerequisite: CSC 282. 3 credits.
Examines the design of computer programming languages and the tools that process them. Includes an examination of several current languages, and an introduction to the design and implementation of compilers. Prerequisite: CSC 282 and MAS 251. 3 credits.
An introduction to the field of AI. Topics include expert systems, goal-seeking algorithms, neural networks, genetic algorithms, computer vision, language recognition. Prerequisite: CSC 282 and MAS 251. 3 credits.
Topics to be selected from current areas of interest and research in computer science. Prerequisites: CSC 282; MAS 251. 3 credits.
Topics to be selected from current areas of interest and research in computer science. Prerequisites: CSC 282, MAS 251. 3 credits.

Take at least one of:

Mathematics Courses

Take all of:

A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. Corequisite; MAS 113. 4 credits.
Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: MAS 111. Corequisite: MAS 114. 4 credits.
An introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. Corequisite: MAS 111, 112. 1 credit.
Second semester. Introduction to college mathematics for potential mathematical science majors. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. Corequisite: MAS 111, 112. 1 credit.
An introduction to linear algebra including systems of equations, vectors spaces and linear transformations. Prerequisite: MAS 112 or MAS 261. 3 credits.
Introduction to mathematical ideas used in computing and information sciences, logic, sets and sequences, matrices, combinatorics, induction, relations and finite graphs. Prerequisite: MAS 112 or MAS 162. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course

Plus one additional MAS course numbered 200 or higher.

Communications Courses

Take one of:

The development of writing, speaking and listening skills for business management. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and 112. Writing process. 3 credits.
The development of writing, speaking and listening skills for business management. Prerequisite: ENG 111, 112, or permission of the instructor. Usually offered alternate spring semesters. 3 credits.
The development of writing, speaking and illustrating skills to convey specialized, often technical information to a non-technical audience. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and 112 or permission of the instructor. Usually offered alternate spring semesters. 3 credits.

Total of 49 credits

Minor in Computer Science

Computer Science Courses

Foundational aspects of computer programming. Algorithms and data; control structures; the design of small programs. Class and object basics. Uses the Java programming language. 3 credits.
Introduces the design and organization of the major components of a modern computer: CPUs, memory, storage, and other related hardware. Continues the study of programming started in CSC 131 via programming projects related to the study of computer architecture. Prerequisite: CSC 131 or permission. 3 credits.
Begins the study of large-scale software systems. Introduces the C++ programming language and fundamental data structures like vectors, lists, and trees. MAS 162 and CSC 132, or permission. 3 credits.
A continuation of CSC 231. Applications of data structures, object-oriented programming, design patterns, and other techniques to the design and implementation of large software systems. Prerequisite: CSC 231. 3 credits.
† indicates a required course

Plus one additional CSC course numbered 300 or higher.

Mathematics Courses

Take one of:

A calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. Corequisite; MAS 113. 4 credits.
A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Prerequisite: placement testing or MAS 102. MAS 161 is a prerequisite for MAS 162. 3 credits per semester.

Take one of:

Second semester of a calculus sequence for department majors and other students desiring a rigorous introduction to elementary calculus. Prerequisite: MAS 111. Corequisite: MAS 114. 4 credits.
Second semester of a calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and infinite sets. Prerequisite: MAS 161. 3 credits.
A more advanced version of MAS 170 intended for students with some calculus background. Similar to MAS 170 with more extensive content. 3 credits. A student may not receive credit for both MAS 170 and MAS 270.

Total of 22 credits