Harvard CompSci Bachelor's Program Overview

The Harvard CompSci Bachelor's Program is a rigorous and highly respected degree that attracts top talent from around the world. It's no surprise, given that Harvard University is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

Students in the CompSci program at Harvard can expect to take a wide range of courses, including data structures, algorithms, computer systems, and software engineering. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in computer science and prepare students for a career in this field.

One of the unique aspects of the Harvard CompSci program is its emphasis on hands-on learning. Students work on projects and participate in research with faculty members, giving them valuable experience and skills that can be applied in the real world.

At Harvard, students choose a concentration, which is what they call a major. All prospective undergraduate students apply directly to Harvard College.

To pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science, you'll declare your concentration in your sophomore spring. This is the field of study you'll focus on for the remainder of your time at Harvard.

As an undergraduate in Computer Science, you're a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree. You'll have the opportunity to consider the more intensive A.B./S.M. option through a concurrent master's degree.

The A.B./S.M. degree program is only for currently enrolled Harvard College students. This program allows you to pursue a master's degree concurrently with your bachelor's degree.

You can apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for a master's degree as part of the concurrent degree program. This will allow you to double-count up to sixteen credits for both your bachelor's and master's degrees.

To complete the concurrent degree program, you must finish both degrees within eight terms of residency or the equivalent.

Harvard offers a range of academic programs and courses in computer science, allowing students to pursue their interests and develop their skills.

The Mind, Brain, and Behavior Program (MBB) is an honors-only program that allows students to explore the intersection of computer science and neuroscience, with requirements based on computer science honors eligibility.

Students can also take part in extraordinary projects as part of their Bio/Biomedical Engineering coursework or individual research opportunities, which can be a great way to gain hands-on experience and build their portfolio.

Harvard's online courses, such as CS50x, provide a self-paced introduction to computer science and programming, covering topics like abstraction, algorithms, and data structures. These courses are designed to be engaging and accessible for learners of all levels, and can be taken on your own schedule.

Here are some of the key concepts covered in Harvard's computer science courses:

A bachelor's degree in Computer Science opens doors to a wide range of careers, from engineering to medicine to law and beyond. This degree is designed to equip you with skills and ideas that you'll use immediately and in the future.

At Harvard College, you'll declare a concentration, or field of study, during your sophomore spring. All undergraduates in Computer Science at Harvard are candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree (A.B.).

Having a broad and robust understanding of computer science and programming is a key benefit of this degree. You'll learn to think algorithmically and solve programming problems efficiently.

Some of the specific concepts you'll learn include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. You'll also gain familiarity with a number of languages, including C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML.

Engaging with a vibrant community of like-minded learners from all levels of experience is a valuable part of this degree. You'll also have the opportunity to develop and present a final programming project to your peers.

At Harvard SEAS, you'll have the chance to take part in or participate in some extraordinary projects as part of your coursework or individual research opportunities working with professors. You can learn more about research opportunities at Harvard SEAS.

Harvard offers a range of online courses, including CS50x, an introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming. This course is designed for majors and non-majors alike, with or without prior programming experience.

In CS50x, you'll learn how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development. You'll also learn languages like C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript plus CSS and HTML.

If you're interested in cybersecurity, Harvard offers CS50's Introduction to Cybersecurity, an online course for technical and non-technical audiences alike. This course provides a broad and robust understanding of computer science and programming, as well as hands-on learning experiences in Active Learning Labs.

Here are some online courses available at Harvard:

These courses are designed to be engaging and interactive, with problem sets inspired by real-world domains like biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming. By the end of the course, you'll be able to develop and present a final programming project to your peers.