Humanities & Sciences

Computer science is the practice of using computer-based solutions to solve complex social, scientific, and intellectual challenges. At Ithaca you'll learn the technical, organizational, and interdisciplinary skills needed to join the ranks of professionals who use computer technology to tackle these issues in diverse fields.

You'll begin your studies with a series of courses that emphasize problem solving using a number of programming languages and tools. Project courses build on these skills, giving you real-world problems to solve with your fellow students. As you progress in your program, you will take more focused courses that will introduce you to the significant concepts and technologies in computer science, such as operating systems, virtual reality, human-computer interface development, and computer networks.

You may also be invited to join your professors' research projects. For example, computer science majors are working in our virtual reality lab to develop therapeutic software for children with motor impairments. They're also working closely with our occupational and physical therapy departments to create assistive robots for children with physical and developmental disabilities. You could also work with faculty designing on-line music discovery engines, interactive DJ programs, serious games, or mobile computing.

Our graduates say that they are well prepared for the challenges of their jobs. Recent graduates are in positions at Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and IBM, as well as at start-up companies. Others are pursuing further study in distinguished graduate programs at institutions such as Cornell University; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Rochester Institute of Technology; Tufts University; University of Southern California; and King’s College, London.

By combining studies in the biology and chemistry departments, your biochemistry degree from Ithaca will provide a strong foundation for graduate or professional school or for a career in business or industry. The biochemistry program will prepare you to pursue advanced study in molecular biology, biochemistry, genomics, environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, public health, or another field. Your health-related professional options will include medicine, dentistry, optometry, or veterinary medicine. Recent graduates have also found jobs in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry.

Your first two years in the biochemistry program lay a strong foundation in both biology and chemistry. Specialization begins in your junior year with courses in biochemistry, cell biology, and physical chemistry. During your senior year, you'll take at least one advanced elective in biology or chemistry, and you'll also enroll in Current Topics in Biochemistry. Typically, students who complete the interdisciplinary biochemistry program plan to pursue a graduate degree in medicine or in another health-related field.

As in our chemistry and biology programs, the emphasis is on hands-on research, working in close collaboration with faculty in their labs. You'll also get experience in the technical literature of the profession and the presentation of research results -- valuable skills for any career in science.

You may also select a concentration in museum studies, which provides learning opportunities related to the work of museums, from curation and collections management to grant writing and public relations.

You will have an opportunity to apply and expand your knowledge in hands-on learning activities in classes and during internships at museums and galleries, including our own Handwerker Gallery. Our graduates go on to a variety of careers, including museum and gallery work, education, publishing, advertising, graphic design, architecture, and historic preservation.

Studio courses in art, as well as a two-course sequence in architectural design and the senior design portfolio course, will teach you how to develop and critique design projects and give you structured guidance in how to explain and present your own work.

Many of our graduates continue their study in graduate programs in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning around the country while others go directly into careers in architecture, academia, real estate, construction, and related fields.

Note: The B.A. in Architectural Studies is a degree that does not qualify students to practice architecture. Students who want to practice architecture and become licensed architects may pursue an NAAB accredited Master of Architecture program after completion of the B.A. in Architectural Studies or the student may submit experience to the New York State Education Department that is acceptable to the New York State Board for Architecture totaling 9 years after completion of the B.A. in Architectural Studies. Graduates of the B.A. in Architectural Studies would most likely need to pursue a 3-3.5 year Master of Architecture program in order to receive a Master of Architecture degree from an NAAB accredited program.