A typical computer science concentration entails 12 courses. The 12 concentration courses include courses basic math, theoretical computer science and computer systems. Math courses cover calculus and linear algebra. A bachelors degree from Harvard includes fulfilling the concentration requirements as well 8 core courses and approximately 12 electives. Core courses cover a broad set of topics in liberal arts.
Elective courses can be any course chosen by the student.
Typically a few upperclassmen each year find courses in specific areas that they want to take and are not offered at Harvard. Students with sufficient advanced placement credits can graduate with a bachelors after 3 years. For these students, we offer a fourth year masters in computer science program. The introductory sequence of courses assumes no specific computer science background. Students who already have the knowledge in some given course, are better served by taking other courses.