Undergraduate Science Programs

Undergraduate Science Programs

The Science departments—Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics & Engineering Physics— provide exciting, top-quality programs for undergraduates at Stevens. The quality of our programs derives from the quality of our world-class faculty. Undergraduate students are a welcomed part of our community. They are afforded ready access to faculty and to ongoing research activities on campus and off campus, and, as they pursue their studies, undergraduates are encouraged to participate in research and Technogenesis activities.

The science curricula at Stevens emphasize project-based learning, encourage and reward independent study and scientific initiative, offer expanded research opportunities for undergraduates, and promote the undergraduate thesis as a capstone for a student’s course of study. These elements of the curriculum are intended to enhance the undergraduate experience of the student with a serious interest in studying the natural sciences or computer science.

The undergraduate programs are separated into two categories of curricula. The programs in Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Mathematical Sciences, and Physics follow a unified curriculum, the Bachelor of Science in the natural sciences. The Department of Computer Science has developed distinct curricula for each of three undergraduate programs: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems.

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Bachelor of Science (Natural Sciences)

The science program at Stevens offers a remarkable opportunity for a career in today's scientific world. It prepares you to work at the frontiers of knowledge making significant contributions to science and the well-being of mankind. Careers in biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, nanotechnology, mathematics, and statistics, are accessible through the science program.

The concepts, techniques and attitudes that are common to all sciences form the core courses of the Science program. You develop an awareness of the interactions among the various scientific disciplines and their individual contributions to the advancement of knowledge - the total picture of science. Additional courses in a chosen concentration prepare you exceptionally well with both the tools and knowledge to enter a profession immediately upon graduation, or to embark on advanced study leading to a graduate degree.

Studies during your freshman year include courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics, and a sequence of courses in humanities. Studies in the humanities continue throughout the four-year program. In the next three years you may choose a concentration in the area of chemistry, chemical biology, mathematics, computational science, applied physics, or engineering physics. Upon successful completion of your studies, you are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree.

The minimal formal requirements for the science program are listed in the semester-by-semester schedule, including the Notes. Courses may be taken in a different order than listed. Consult the individual department schedule for more specific details.

Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)

The computer science major is fundamentally focused on the hardware-software interface. In any computer science major, operating systems is the most important course for that major. It teaches fundamental concepts such as interrupt-driven execution, virtual memory management, I/O devices and protection in multiprogramming. The computer science major covers additional topics including:

• Concurrent programming
• Database management systems
• Computer architecture
• Cybersecurity fundamentals 

In addition, the computer science major is distinguished by its flexibility. In senior year, a student in Computer Science can choose from a large number of elective courses. Concentration areas are suggested groups of Computer Science courses for those that want to “drill down” on specific topics. Some example concentration areas are graphics, design of games, software engineering, networks, cybersecurity and enterprise computing. Application areas are groups of courses that include courses outside Computer Science. Approved application areas include computer engineering and embedded systems, wireless networks, financial systems, mathematics and scientific computing.

Bachelor of Science (Cybersecurity)

As the need for data security increases in all industries, including medicine, banking, and homeland security, the demand for professionals with knowledge in the areas of information assurance and computer security continues to grow. In 2003, as part of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, the White House identified as a top priority the necessity of maintaining a pool of well-trained and certified IT security specialists through providing comprehensive training and education.

The cybersecurity major builds on a basic computer science education to also develop the deep technical skills required of a modern security professional. These skills include a deep knowledge and understanding of crytography, as well as the ability to diagnose threats and defences for software systems. Therefore the pivot course for this major is a course in secure systems that includes a cybersecurity lab as a co-requisite. The cybersecurity major includes courses in:

• Operating systems
• Concurrent programming
• Database management systems
• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Privacy
• Cryptography
• Secure systems 

This program is structured to provide students with security expertise within the context of a broad education. The curriculum not only has a strong focus in science and computer science but also incorporates aspects of engineering and technology management. Cybersecurity students in the senior design project do a project involving secure systems, under the guidance and supervision of security faculty.

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Minor in Entrepreneurship

The undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship provides the educational prerequisites needed to foster the successful birth and development of technology-driven new ventures.

The minor will provide the knowledge and the infrastructure needed to sustain and support the efforts of Stevens’ undergraduate students in engineering and science to create economic value through Technogenesis.

After completing the minor, students will be able to develop and write an effective business plan by systematically developing the following skills:

• Able to identify and recognize viable technical business opportunities
• Can critically evaluate these business opportunities
• Can assess and manage the intellectual property embodied in technological opportunities
• Can develop an effective business model addressing market, operating and financial requirements
• Knows how to launch a technologically-based business

Courses and Sequence

By Semester 5:
BT 244 Microeconomics

In Semester 5:
E 355 Engineering Economy or E 356 Engineering Economy

In Semester 6:
MGT 372 Discovery and Commercialization of Technical Business Opportunities

In Semester 7:
TG 401 Entrepreneurship and Business for Engineers and Scientists (Marketing and Operations of Technical Business Opportunities)
MGT 472 Assessment and Financing of Technical Business Opportunities

In Semester 8:
MGT 414 Entrepreneurial Business Practicum

Graduation Requirements

The following are requirements for graduation of all Engineering and Science students and are not included for academic credit. They will appear on the student record as pass/fail.

English Language Proficiency

• All students must satisfy an English Language proficiency requirement.

PLEASE NOTE: A comprehensive Communications Program has been implemented for the Class of 2009 and later. This may influence how the English Language Proficiency requirement is met. Details will be added when available.