Computer Science (BS, Minor)

Computer science (CS) stresses the design, analysis, implementation, management, and application of large software systems, as well as systems combining both hardware and software. The Watson School offers a rich set of courses in software design, programming, hardware design, and everything in between.

Students begin taking computer science courses in their first semester at Binghamton, and the department welcomes incoming first-year students with or without prior CS experience. In their first year, students with limited programming experience begin the year with Programming Concepts and Applications; otherwise, they start with hardware and software systems. During the first two years, students study multiple programming languages and computer systems principles. Required courses build a strong foundation across the core areas of CS, such as computer systems design, programming languages, data structures and algorithms, computer architecture, operating systems, and formal methods.

A wide variety of elective classes allows students to pursue the areas that interest them most while applying and building on their foundation. We offer electives in software systems, networking (including mobile and wireless networks), web-based systems, machine learning, data mining, artificial intelligence (AI), computer graphics, computer vision, cybersecurity, embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, robotics and game design. To maximize scheduling flexibility, every required CS course is taught every semester. This enables different paths through the program and allows students to minor — or even earn a dual degree — in the arts, business, math, music, languages, the sciences, and more. Students can also study abroad, pursue a semester-long co-op for credit, or both.

Internships, Research Opportunities, and More

It is extremely common for students in their junior and senior years to have paid summer internships at companies like BAE, Citigroup, Bloomberg, and Amazon, as well as paid research positions at Binghamton or other universities.

Research conducted in the Computer Science Department includes:

• Computer systems
• Graphics, image processing, vision
• Information systems
• Operating systems, networking, and distributed systems
• Security
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data mining
• Cloud and high-performance computing

Binghamton University, State University of New York (SUNY), is the #1 public university in New York. We are a mid-sized university of 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students, including over 1,500 international students from over 100 countries. Binghamton provides top tier education in six schools and 130+ academic programs, with several exclusive honors programs and world-class research opportunities for students in every major.

On campus, there’s always something to do, with 21 NCAA Division I teams and 450+ student-led clubs and organizations. Binghamton University is nestled in picturesque rolling hills just minutes from a vibrant downtown area where students can explore the arts, local restaurants, and professional sports. We are just a few hours from major urban centers such as New York City, Boston, and Toronto, and our award-winning career center connects students to opportunities around the country and around the world.

Binghamton offers countless resources to support students learning and excelling both within and outside of the classroom. Combined with an affordable price, Binghamton University consistently earns a best value ranking among US universities.