Major Requirements

The major consists of eleven courses:

Introduction to Computer Science

Complete one course from the following:

• DCS 109D Introduction to Computer Science for Data Analysis
• DCS 109R Introduction to Computer Science Using Robots
• DCS 109S Introduction to Computer Science for Software Development
• DCS 109T Introduction to Computer Science for Text Analysis

Software Development and Synthesis

Complete one course from the following: 

• DCS 211 Computing for Insight
• DCS 229 Data Structures and Algorithms

Students who complete both courses may apply DCS 211 toward the (DCS: Data Science & Analysis) method.

Methods

Complete the following methods, using at least two distinct courses:

• (DCS: Data Science & Analysis)
• (DCS: Critical Digital St.)
• (DCS: Human-Centered Design)
• (DCS: Community Engagement)*

Upper-Level Courses

Complete two 300-level or higher DCS courses, not including DCS 360, 456, 457, or 458. Students may also use one Short Term course number S40 or higher toward this requirement, not including S50.

Senior Capstone

Complete the following course:

• DCS 456 Senior Capstone

Additional Courses

Complete any additional courses in Digital and Computational Studies to bring the total number of courses for the major to eleven. Students may include either DCS 457 or DCS 458 toward this requirement, but not both. One course outside of the DCS program and one internship (DCS 401) may be applied, subject to prior approval by the DCS Program Committee.

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Senior Thesis

All students majoring in DCS must take DCS 456 Senior Capstone. Except for students pursuing Honors, completing a thesis in DCS is neither required nor typically expected. However, students interested in pursuing original research may submit a thesis proposal to the DCS Program Committee for approval.  

• Any student who is approved for a one-semester senior thesis within DCS should take the DCS capstone course in the first semester of their final year and complete the thesis in the second semester of their final year.
• Any student who is approved for a two-semester or Honors thesis within DCS should take the DCS capstone course in the first semester of their final year and complete the thesis across the two semesters of their final year.

Information about the thesis proposal and approval process may be found on the Digital & Computational Studies website. Students may apply no more than one approved DCS 457 or 458 as part of the Additional Courses requirement for the major. Any deviation from the suggested timing of capstone and/or thesis must be pre-approved by the DCS Program Committee.

*

The DCS: Community Engagement method requirement may also be fulfilled by a course with the (Community-Engaged Learning) attribute. See the Course Schedule for applicable offerings in a given term.

Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Of the eleven courses required for the DCS major, up to three courses may be taken from institutions external to Bates College, subject to prior approval by the DCS Program Committee.

Pass/Fail

Students may apply one course taken Pass/Fail to the Upper-Level Courses or Additional Courses requirements.

Restricted Declarations

Students who have declared the Digital and Computational Studies major may not declare the following:

• Digital and Computational Studies minor
• Digital and Computational Studies (C093) GEC

Other Considerations

Students may apply up to two Short Term courses toward the major.