Computer Science Fundamentals, Certificate

The Certificate in Computer Science Fundamentals is for any person interested in a tech career, regardless of their undergraduate background. This program provides a foundation in computer science and offers a bridge into SU's Master of Science in Computer Science program.

All students enrolling in the Computer Science Fundamentals Certificate are required to have a laptop.

Recommended specifications:

• 16GB memory
• 512GB SSD minimum disk space
• 64 bit quad core processor (Core i5/i7, 8th generation or higher)

Minimum specifications:

• 8GB memory
• 256GB SSD minimum disk space
• 64 bit dual core processor (Core i5/i7, 8th generation or higher)

Students who require the programming boot camp begin in the summer semester and complete the program over three semesters total, including boot camp. Students with a boot camp waiver begin in the fall semester and complete the program over two semesters.

Qualified students who complete the certificate will be eligible to start the MSCS program in the subsequent academic year.

Most boot camp courses are taught in Java, and the data structures course is taught in C++. Other programming languages may be introduced in other certificate courses.

Your cover letter should address three topics:

• Why are you applying for the Certificate in Computer Science Fundamentals?
• What undergraduate computer science coursework have you completed?
• How will participating in this program enable you to reach your career goals?

These topics can typically be addressed in 1-2 pages.

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the capacity of the program, a waitlist will be created at the end of the admissions process. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will be offered admission on a rolling basis as space becomes available.

If you have not completed the undergraduate courses Programming I and Programming II (or the equivalent), you must complete the programming boot camp unless you have completed past computer programming coursework. Outside coursework used to waive the boot camp requirement needs to be completed at an accredited institution with a grade B or better. You cannot use non-accredited, non-credit courses (e.g. Coursera) to waive prerequisite courses.

Please contact the program director, Sheila Oh, to discuss waiving the boot camp without prior coursework. It is uncommon for someone to be granted a waiver without coursework, but if you’re already employed as a software engineer or in a similar role, you may be able to waive the boot camp requirement through testing.