BS Computer Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Amherst College

Program Overview

Amherst College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science within a liberal arts framework, combining rigorous technical training with critical thinking, communication, and ethical reasoning. The program focuses on core principles such as algorithms, theory of computation, systems, and software design, while also encouraging interdisciplinary exploration. With small class sizes and close faculty mentorship, Amherst’s CS graduates are prepared for both cutting-edge careers and graduate study in computing and beyond.

Curriculum Structure

The BA in Computer Science at Amherst requires the completion of 10 full CS courses, in addition to foundational mathematics and college-wide distribution requirements. The curriculum is flexible, allowing students to tailor their studies while mastering essential computational concepts.

Core Computer Science Courses:

  • COSC 111: Introduction to Computer Science I

  • COSC 112: Introduction to Computer Science II

  • COSC 171: Computer Systems

  • COSC 211: Data Structures

  • COSC 311: Algorithms

  • COSC 401 or 402: Senior Seminar or Honors Thesis

Advanced Electives (Choose 4+):

Students select upper-level electives from a diverse set of offerings, such as:

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Machine Learning

  • Databases

  • Computer Graphics

  • Software Design

  • Programming Languages

  • Theory of Computation

  • Human-Computer Interaction

Mathematics Requirements:

  • MATH 121: Intermediate Calculus

  • MATH 271 or 272: Linear Algebra or Discrete Mathematics

General Education:

Students complete Amherst’s open curriculum, allowing broad exploration in humanities, social sciences, and sciences. This flexibility encourages interdisciplinary learning and intellectual curiosity.

Capstone Project:

Students complete either a Senior Seminar (COSC 401/402) or a Senior Honors Thesis, conducting independent research or a major software project under faculty supervision. Many students present their work publicly or publish results with faculty co-authorship.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Amherst fosters real-world engagement, research, and collaboration beyond the classroom:

Undergraduate Research:

Amherst places strong emphasis on undergraduate research, with students frequently working on faculty-led projects in AI, robotics, theoretical CS, and ethics in computing. Funding is available for summer research through SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship).

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

Students can take advantage of cross-disciplinary opportunities in areas such as neuroscience, digital humanities, economics, and environmental studies, reflecting Amherst’s strong liberal arts ethos.

Five College Consortium:

Through the Five College Consortium (Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and UMass Amherst), students can take CS courses at other institutions, expanding their access to specialized electives and research labs.

Clubs and Competitions:

Clubs like the Amherst College Coding ClubWiCS (Women in Computer Science), and hackathons encourage community, innovation, and peer collaboration. Students also participate in national coding contests and academic conferences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Amherst’s Computer Science graduates go on to excel in both industry and academia, benefiting from strong faculty mentorship and the college’s alumni network.

Employment Opportunities:

Graduates pursue careers in roles such as:

  • Software Developer

  • Data Analyst

  • Systems Engineer

  • Product Manager

  • Research Assistant

Alumni work at top-tier employers such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and national labs, as well as at NGOs and mission-driven startups.

 

Graduate Studies:

A significant number of CS graduates pursue advanced degrees at leading institutions (e.g., MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard), often supported by their undergraduate research and faculty recommendations.

Amherst College’s Computer Science program offers a rare combination of intellectual depth, hands-on experience, and interdisciplinary exploration—preparing students to think critically, code creatively, and lead ethically in an evolving digital world.

Program Key Stats

$73,140
$ 75
Aug Intake : RD 6th Jan EA/ED 8th Nov


12 %
No
Yes

Eligibility Criteria

AAA - A*A*A*
3.5 - 4.0
38 - 42
90 - 95

1360 - 1550
31 - 35
7.5
100

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Career Pathway:   Software Engineering: Developer
  • Full-Stack Engineer
  • Mobile App Developer
  •   AI & Data Science: Machine Learning Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • AI Researcher
  •   Cybersecurity & Cloud: Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Cloud Engineer
  • Ethical Hacker
  •   Finance & Business Tech: Quantitative Analyst
  • Fintech Developer
  • Blockchain Specialist
  •   Product & Management: Product Manager
  • Technical Program Manager
  •   Entrepreneurship: Startups and innovation
  •   Further Studies: MS or PhD in AI
  • cybersecurity
  • or data science for research roles
  • MBA for leadership and management positions
  •   Long-Term Growth: Engineering: Software Engineer → Tech Lead → CTO
  •   Data & AI: Data Scientist → Head of AI
  • Management: Product Manager → VP of Engineering

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