Apr 21, 2026  
[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2026-2027 
    
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[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2026-2027

Computer Science Major

The major consists of a minimum of 12 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.

This major may be completed under either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science.

arrow View the catalog page for the computer science department.  

Students majoring in computer science at Oberlin College are prepared both for graduate study in the discipline and for careers in industry and business. No previous experience with computer science is required or expected in order to complete the computer science major while at Oberlin.

The computer science major offers three optional concentrations. Students who do not want to pursue one of these specific concentrations will still be able to complete the general computer science major.

Summary of Requirements: Computer Science Major

Note(s) on Requirements

  • Of the five required major elective courses, a minimum of three must be at the 300-level.
  • Private reading courses do not normally count toward the major.

Summary of Requirements: Computer Science Major with an Artificial Intelligence Concentration

Note(s) on Requirements

Summary of Requirements: Computer Science Major with a Human-Computer Interaction Concentration

Note(s) on Requirements

  • Of the three required major elective courses, a minimum of one must be at the 300-level.
  • Private reading courses do not normally count toward the major.

Summary of Requirements: Computer Science Major with a Systems and Security Concentration

Note(s) on Requirements

  • Of the three required major elective courses, a minimum of one must be at the 300-level.
  • Private reading courses do not normally count toward the major.

Transfer of Credit Toward the Major

The computer science department will accept up to the equivalent of five full courses of transfer credit to count toward the computer science major requirements. Two types of approval are needed. (1) Approval from the Office of the Registrar that the transfer course meets Oberlin’s transfer-of-credit eligibility standards and (2) approval from the department/program chair that the course(s) may count to the major. Current students taking post-matriculation credit must secure this approval before registering for course(s). Students who enter Oberlin as transfer students will have their pre-matriculation credit evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for elective credit, and they can later seek approval from the department/program for applying coursework to major requirements.

Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate Credit

AP/IB transfer credit received for CSCI 150  and CSCI 601 counts toward the major as 100-level major elective courses, and does count toward the five-full-course transfer of credit limit.

Course of Study

Most students who wish to study computer science or who wish to explore programming and algorithmic problem-solving should begin with CSCI 150 . This course does not assume any prior experience with programming and is appropriate for both potential majors and non-majors. Since the requirements for the major in computer science are substantial, students planning to major in the discipline are encouraged to begin the coursework in their first year at Oberlin taking CSCI 150  and CSCI 151  along with MATH 133  or another mathematics or statistics course. It is, however, possible to complete the major without overloading starting with CSCI 150  in the fall of the sophomore year.

Note: CSCI 300-level course offerings change each semester as faculty rotate between teaching electives and core courses. We advise students to check with the course catalog, advisors, department announcements, and other official channels each semester to update their major plans accordingly.

Courses Recommended for the Artificial Intelligence Concentration

The following courses are recommended for the artificial intelligence concentration:

Detailed Major Requirements

Computer Science Major Course Lists

Computer Science Major Core Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

All five of these courses are required for the major.

Mathematics and Statistics Courses

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Note: This course cannot be substituted for a 300-level computer science course.

300-Level Artificial Intelligence Elective Courses

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Note: At least one of the 300-level artificial intelligence elective courses must carry the CSCI prefix or be cross-listed with a CSCI course.

300-Level Human-Computer Interaction Elective Courses

Return to the summary of requirements.

300-Level Systems and Security Elective Courses

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Computer Science Major Elective Courses

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Note: A minimum of three of the required five concentration and major elective courses must be at the 300-level.