Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate
The Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Science offers students from across the university to develop a strong understanding of the fundamentals of computer science and programming that will increase their competitiveness for future jobs and/or post-baccalaureate studies. The certificate must be attached to a degree and cannot be earned as an independent certificate. The certificate also cannot be earned in addition to a Major in Computer Science; students can earn one or the other, but not both.
ApplyDepartment of Computer ScienceMore Undergraduate Programs
Cirriculum Requirements
The requirements for the Undergraduate Certificate in Computer Science are highly flexible to provide students the opportunity to specialize their study in ways that complement their chosen major. It also offers students the opportunity to take a few courses in computer science before deciding whether or not to go for a major. The certificate will require 3-4 semesters to complete as there is a one year sequence of introductory classes that must be taken in order.
There are multiple entry and exit points for students wishing to pursue the certificate. Students who begin by pursuing a Computer Science Major will enter with CMPS 1500 Intro to Computer Science I (4 c.h.), which is a more rigorous course that sets students up for success in CMPS 2200 Intro to Algorithms (4 c.h.) and later courses required for the Major. However, students who are more “computer science curious” can enter with CMPS 1100 Foundations of Programming (3 c.h.) followed by CMPS 3160 Introduction to Data Science (3 c.h.) which will provide them with a comparable foundation at a gentler pace.
Students that have a firm desire to take only a small number of advanced CMPS courses, e.g., Machine Learning, Bioinformatics, or Computational Geometry, can take a sequence consisting of CMPS 1500 Intro to Computer Science I (4 c.h.), CMPS 1600 Intro to Computer Science II (4 c.h.), CMPS 2200 Intro to Algorithms (4 c.h.), and then the specific higher level elective.
FAQs
The certificate lets students from across the university develop a strong understanding of computer science and programming fundamentals, increasing their competitiveness for future jobs or post-baccalaureate studies. Its flexible, multi-entry-point structure also lets students test the waters in computer science or specialize in an area like machine learning or data science, without committing to a full major.
It is helpful and convenient to have a laptop. We don’t have a computer lab, and students work on their own laptops to complete most programming assignments. Model and make don’t matter; any modern laptop with Wi-Fi and a battery works.
We often get asked what programming languages we teach. In fact, we teach principles, concepts, and problem-solving approaches rather than specific languages. In CMPS 1500, students learn Python. In CMPS 1600, students learn Java, C, and C++. The elective courses use a language that’s necessary to achieve the tasks of the course (e.g. Javascript, Scala, Ruby, etc.). Our successful students get used to learning new languages and are able to study the basics of any computer language on their own.
Contact Us
Mailing Address
6823 St. Charles Ave.
Tulane University
Department of Computer Science
303 Stanley Thomas Hall
New Orleans, LA 70118