Pomona College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science designed to cultivate analytical thinkers and creative problem-solvers through a strong liberal arts lens. Offered through the Department of Computer Science, the program emphasizes foundational principles, computational theory, software development, and real-world application. Students receive personalized mentorship, benefit from small class sizes, and enjoy access to the broader Claremont Colleges Consortium, allowing them to tailor their studies and engage deeply across disciplines.
The Computer Science major at Pomona consists of a minimum of 11 courses, covering core concepts, theoretical foundations, systems, and electives, along with mathematics prerequisites.
Core Computer Science Courses:
CS 051: Introduction to Computer Science
CS 052: Fundamentals of Computer Science
CS 054: Discrete Mathematics and Functional Programming
CS 062: Data Structures
CS 105: Computer Systems Organization
CS 121: Programming Languages
CS 140: Algorithms
Capstone Course Options (Choose one):
CS 181PO: Seminar in Computer Science (Capstone)
CS 190PO/191PO: Senior Thesis (Two-semester independent research project)
Advanced Electives:
Students choose at least three upper-division electives, such as:
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Human-Computer Interaction
Operating Systems
Robotics
Cryptography
Database Systems
Mathematics Requirements:
MATH 060: Linear Algebra
MATH 058: Introductory Statistics (or equivalent)
Breadth Requirement:
Students are required to take at least one CS elective that includes significant mathematical or engineering content, encouraging depth in theory or systems.
Cross-Enrollment:
Students can take additional CS courses at neighboring Claremont Colleges (Harvey Mudd, Claremont McKenna, Scripps, Pitzer) through the Claremont Colleges Consortium, greatly expanding access to elective topics and faculty.
Pomona emphasizes a well-rounded, experiential education that includes hands-on learning, research, and interdisciplinary engagement.
Undergraduate Research:
Pomona’s strong commitment to research means many students participate in faculty-led or independent research, often beginning as early as their second year. Projects span topics like machine learning, computational biology, systems, HCI, and ethics in AI. Students present at national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed venues.
Internships and Career Support:
The Career Development Office supports students in securing internships at companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Stripe, and startups, as well as placements in public service and research labs. Pomona provides summer funding for unpaid or research-based internships.
Student Organizations:
Pomona Computer Science Society (PCSS)
Women in Computer Science (WiCS)
Claremont Hackathon and Dev Team
CS Mentoring Circles that support first-generation and underrepresented students
Interdisciplinary Opportunities:
Students frequently double major or combine CS with fields like Cognitive Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Environmental Analysis, Media Studies, and Public Policy. The open curriculum fosters innovation at the intersections of technology and society.
Pomona’s CS graduates enter competitive industries and graduate programs with a blend of technical skill, critical thinking, and ethical awareness.
Employment Opportunities:
Alumni hold roles such as:
Software Developer
Data Scientist
Security Analyst
Product Manager
Research Assistant
UX/UI Designer
Graduates are employed by organizations such as Google, Dropbox, NASA, Bloomberg, Amazon, Adobe, and Teach For America, as well as in nonprofit and civic tech sectors.
Graduate Studies:
Pomona CS alumni frequently go on to pursue graduate studies at top-tier programs in CS, law, and interdisciplinary tech-policy fields at institutions including MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, and Harvard.
Pomona College’s Computer Science program offers a rare blend of intellectual rigor, ethical inquiry, and hands-on experience—preparing graduates to lead and innovate in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
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