Department of Computer Science

Faculty

Professors
Xin Li, Ph.D., Princeton University
Paliath Narendran, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jeff Offutt, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology (Chair)

Associate Professors
Pradeep Atrey, Ph.D., National University of Singapore
Petko Bogdanov, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Ming-Ching Chang, Ph.D., Brown University
Charalampos Chelmis, Ph.D., University of Southern California
Mei-Hwa Chen, Ph.D., Purdue University
Chinwe Ekenna, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
Jeong-Hyon Hwang, Ph.D., Brown University
Amirreza Masoumzadeh, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Shaghayegh Sahebi, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Mariya Zheleva, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara

Assistant Professors
Chong Liu, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara
Abram Magner, Ph.D., Purdue University
Haoyu Wang, Ph.D., Purdue University

Professors of Practice
Vladimir Kuperman, Doctor of Science, Ministry of Education of Russian Federation
Jackson Marques de Carvalho, Ph.D., Western University

Visiting Assistant Professor – Instructional
Shashank Arora, Ph.D., University at Albany
Daniel Hono, Ph.D., University at Albany
Anuradha Mandel, Ph.D., University of Alabama Birmingham

Lecturers
Michael Phipps, M.S., University at Albany
Qi Wang, M.S., California State University at Northridge

The Department of Computer Science offers four academic degrees: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (CSIC), Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (CSI), Master of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS), and Ph.D. in Computer Science (Ph.D.-CS), plus a minor in Computer Science. The MS-CS and Ph.D.-CS programs are described in the Graduate Bulletin. The department offers a full spectrum of modern, hands-on Computer Science courses, including elective and required courses for students in other degree programs. Graduates from the Computer Science department are prepared to work in the vast software industry as Software Engineers and Computer Scientists in all companies and government agencies. The CSIC program is accredited by ABET.

Course Progression Restrictions

A grade of C or better (or S) in I CSI/I ECE 201, I CSI/I ECE 210, I CSI/I ECE 213, and I CSI 311 or their transfer equivalents is a prerequisite for certain succeeding courses required in one or more of the programs below. See the course descriptions for details. In unusual situations, such prerequisites might be waived by the department on recommendation of the succeeding course instructor.

  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 201 or I ECE 141 with a C or better to register for I CSI/I ECE 213
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 210 and I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 311
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 318
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 333
  • Students must complete A MAT 220 and I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 401
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 210 and I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 403
  • Students must complete I CSI 333 or I ECE 233 with a C or better to register for I CSI 404
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 407
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 409
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 210 and I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 410
  • Students must complete I CSI 333 and I CSI 409 with a C or better to register for I CSI 417
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 418
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 210 with a C or better to register for I CSI 421
  • Students must complete A MAT 220 and I CSI 333 or I ECE 233 with a grade of C or better to register for I CSI 422.
  • Students must complete I CSI /I ECE 210 and I CSI 333 or I ECE 233 with a C or better to register for I CSI 426
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 433
  • Students must complete A MAT 220 or I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 435
  • Students must complete A MAT 214, A MAT 220, A MAT 367 or A MAT 370, and I CSI 401 with a C or better to register for I CSI 436
  • Students must complete I CSI 311 with a C or better to register for I CSI 445
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 490
  • Students must complete I CSI/I ECE 213 with a C or better to register for I CSI 497

Degree Requirements for the Majors in Computer Science

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Combined) (CSIC)

The combined major and minor BS program in computer science prepare graduates to succeed in the software field after graduation. Our graduates will be ready to:

  • Establish themselves as successful and productive computing professionals or engage in advanced study such as a graduate degree program
  • Work effectively both in team environments and as individuals
  • Fulfill their responsibilities with respect to ethics, continuing professional development, and effective written and oral communications

Computer Science graduates find positions in almost every industry, including software services, medical, financial, transportation, communications, civil infrastructure, defense, agricultural, and nearly every other aspect of our civilization.

High performing students are encouraged to apply to the combined BS-MS program in Computer Science.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Program (Combined) is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

General Program B.S. for students matriculating Fall 2025

Combined major and minor sequence, a minimum of 77 credits as follows:

Required Computer Science Core:

  • I CSI/I ECE 201 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
  • I CSI 207 Object-Oriented Programming (4)
  •  I CSI/ECE 210 Discrete Structures (4) 
  • I CSI/I ECE 213 Data Structures (4)
  • I CSI 300Z Social, Security, and Privacy Implications of Computing (3)
  • I CSI 302 Systems I: C and Computer Organization (4)
  • I CSI 311 Principles of Programming Languages (4)
  • I CSI 402 Systems II: Operating Systems and Networking (3)
  • I CSI 403 Design and Analysis of Algorithms (3)
  • I CSI 409 Formal Methods and Models (3)
  • I CSI 410 Database Systems (3)
  • I CSI 418 Software Engineering (3)
  • I CSI 424 Computer Security (3) or I CSI 426 Cryptography (3)  
  • I CSI 499 Capstone Project in Computer Science (3)

Computer Science Electives:

9 credits from I CSI courses numbered 400 and above

Mathematics (14 credits):

  • A MAT 111 Algebra and Calculus I (4) or A MAT 112 Calculus I (4) or A MAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
  • A MAT 113 Calculus II (4) or A MAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)
  • A MAT 220 Linear Algebra (3)
  • A MAT 367 Discrete Probability (3)

Science Sequence (minimum 6 credits):

Students choose one of the following Science Sequences to complete a minimum of 6 credits

  • A BIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3) and A BIO 131 General Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
  •  ACHM 115 General Chemistry and Lab (4) AND ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
  • A CHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) AND A CHM 121 General Chemistry II (3)
  • A PHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3) AND 150 Physics II: Electromagnetism (3)
  • A PHY 105 General Physics I (3) AND A PHY 108 General Physics II (3)

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (CSI)

The Bachelor of Arts program in Computer Science can provide a liberal arts education with specific Computer Science topics, or it can combine computer science with its applications into areas such as informatics, information science, cybersecurity, data science, business, scientific research, or creative arts. Some course choices are provided in advanced requirements so the student can select between an emphasis on lower-level systems or abstract programming principles, or an emphasis on design and implementation of familiar kinds of computing applications.

General Program B.A.:

A minimum of 43 credits as follows. Students must select any approved minor. If a minor requires a course from those listed below, students should consult with their advisor to find an appropriate substitution.

Computer Science Core (42 credits):

  • I CSI/I ECE 201 Introduction to Computer Science (4)
  • I CSI/I ECE 210 Discrete Structures (4)
  • I CSI/I ECE 213 Data Structures (4)
  • I CSI 311 Principles of Programming Languages (4)
  • I CSI 318 Introduction to Software Engineering (4)
  • I CSI 333 Program Hardware-Software Interface (4)
  • I CSI/I ECE 404 Computer Organization (3)
  • ICSI 498: Capstone Project in CS (3)

Mathematics (7 credits):

  •  A MAT 112 Calculus I or A MAT 118 Honors Calculus I
  • A MAT 367 Discrete Probability (3) or A MAT 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineering and the Sciences

Computer Science Electives (6 credits):

 Two I CSI courses numbered 400-470 or 500-550 or as specially approved by the department

Advanced Placement Substitutions and Specially Approved Electives for all majors:
The Department may grant advanced placement credit substitutions, and may allow up to 3 credits in Computer Science electives to be replaced by credits in I CSI 487 or I CSI 488 for Honors majors, or by credits in I CSI 490, or 497, or 499. Such permission can be granted on the basis of AP exam level, scores and departmental evaluations, the depth and breadth of the resulting program, or a superior grade record of the individual student.

Graduate Course Equivalents
Students admitted into the B.S./M.S. program in Computer Science, and seniors with instructor and departmental approval may substitute graduate courses for appropriate undergraduate courses, as specified below. Other graduate courses may be taken for electives by such students. However, only admitted B.S./M.S. students can apply up to 12 credits from such graduate courses to a University at Albany graduate degree. All qualified B.S. majors are encouraged to enter the B.S./M.S. and Honors programs to maximize their opportunities, even if they do not intend to complete the M.S. degree at Albany. Non-B.S./M.S. students eventually admitted to the graduate programs will have to make up the graduate credits but not retake the courses.

  • I CSI 500 for I CSI 412
  • I CSI 501 for I CSI 401
  • I CSI 503 for I CSI 403
  • I CSI 508 for I CSI 410
  • I CSI 509 for I CSI 409
  • I CSI 516 for I CSI 416
  • I CSI 524 for I CSI 424
  • I CSI 526 for I CSI 426
  • I CSI 531 for I CSI 431
  • I CSI 532 for I CSI 432
  • I CSI 533 for I CSI 433
  • I CSI 535 for I CSI 435
  • I CSI 536 for I CSI 436
  • I CSI 561 for I CSI 461
  • I CSI 571 for I CSI 471

Honors Program

The Computer Science Departmental honors program is an opportunity for qualified students to undertake research or innovative development projects at the undergraduate level, under individualized guidance of computer science faculty, and gain recognition by presenting their accomplishments in a public forum and by a transcript designation. The honors seminars and projects are often conducted within research groups comprised of computer science and interdisciplinary faculty, graduate students, and other undergraduates.

Students are encouraged to enroll in the Combined B.S./M.S. Program together with this honors program. Combined B.S./M.S. students can substitute some graduate courses for their undergraduate requirements. They might then earn an Albany Master of Science degree sooner by including up to 12 credits from those graduate courses. The honors and beginning graduate study together might also provide excellent preparation for admission to a national research internship program or a Computer Science Ph.D. program.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for admission to the honors program in Computer Science, a student must have a specific prospective faculty honors supervisor who conveys to the Department a statement of permission and agreement to engage in a specific research specialization area. Prior to admission the student must first have declared the B.S. in Computer Science; must have completed the following courses with a GPA of at least 3.50: I CSI 201 (or AP), I CSI 210, I CSI 213, (or a 5 in the CS-AP AB exam), I CSI 333, and preferably A MAT 118 and 119 although A MAT 111 or 112, and 113 are acceptable; and have an overall GPA of at least 3.25. Prospective honors students must identify and consult a prospective supervisor prior to honors admission, and should request admission during the semester when they will complete the above courses so admission may be determined when all the required grades are in and the proposed area is evaluated.

Requirements:  

  • All the requirements for the B.S. program must be completed with one or more elective courses chosen in consultation with the faculty to develop rigorous mastery in a disciplinary specialization. These courses may be either part of or in addition to the major, a minor, a second major, or graduate requirements. Honors students may use I CSI 487 for one of the Computer Science electives.
  • Three credits of Honors Seminar (I CSI 487): as part of this course, students will do independent study in preparation for research or innovative development projects under the supervision of a faculty member, and to present a colloquium on the topic. See the course description in the bulletin.
  • At least three credits of honors or graduate project work (I CSI 488Z or I CSI 68X or I CSI 699): students will be required to pursue research or innovative development under the supervision of a faculty member and submit a final report describing their original work and its background. These courses have significant writing components. Students will be required to present a public seminar on project results. See the course descriptions in the bulletin.

A GPA of at least 3.50 in the Computer Science courses that go towards the B.S. major must be maintained to continue in the honors program and to graduate with an honors major. The faculty supervisor must also certify to the department that the student completed and presented the project results satisfactorily.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

The combined B.S./M.S. program allows exceptional students to use up to four graduate courses (12 credits) for both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees. With careful planning, a student can earn both the B.S. and the M.S. degrees within five years, making it a 4+1 program.

All requirements in both degrees must be satisfied, including the minimum 60 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements of the B.S., and the capstone requirement, residency requirements, and program GPA requirements of the M.S. degree.

Students may apply for admission to the combined degree program at the beginning of their junior year or after successfully completing 56 credits. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and two supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration, but admission of a student who meets the minimum requirements is not automatic.