Albert Nerken School of Engineering: Computer Science Program

Dear Cooper Union,
 
We are pleased to share exciting news that we are launching today a new Computer Science (CS) Program – with both Bachelor (BS) and Master of Science (MS) degree programs – in the Albert Nerken School of Engineering. The first students will be admitted for the 2025/2026 academic year.
 
This program is four years in the making and is uniquely Cooper in its design, rigor, practical- and project-based learning, and interdisciplinary applications. We were deliberate in developing the program from scratch, having audited computer science offerings at a variety of colleges and universities. We identified the best components to design an accredited academic curriculum with fundamental and foundational content, support for student learning and growth, opportunities to study emerging and evolving topics, and the ability to respond quickly to changes in the field to prepare students for industrial practice or the pursuit of advanced degrees. Overall, the program will bring important computational skills and abilities to our mathematics and natural science programs and modernize each of our existing engineering majors. Additionally, as advances in computing are transforming every aspect of contemporary life including art and architecture, the potential for cross-disciplinary project-based learning is significant.
 
Leading the program will be Sam Keene, who is moving from electrical engineering to serve as the inaugural CS department chair. Carl Sable will also move from electrical engineering to a full-time CS faculty role. Two additional full-time CS faculty will be in place by September 2025 and a fifth full-time faculty member will be on board in September 2026. (Two new electrical engineering faculty will also be hired to replace Sam and Carl.) Building on our industry relationships, each of the new CS full-time faculty will be joint, three-year appointments with either the Simons Foundation Flatiron Institute Center for Computational Mathematics here in NYC or NEC Laboratories America, Inc. in Princeton, N.J. The joint appointments afford our faculty and students research opportunities and, along with important donor funding, contribute to keeping the program nearly budget-neutral for Cooper with no negative impact on the Plan to Return to Full-Tuition Scholarships.
 
With the addition of the new CS major, as of September 2025 we will no longer offer a bachelor of science in general engineering. (All students pursuing the general engineering program as of the 2024/2025 academic year will be able to complete the degree.

Key features of the new CS major include:
Rigor. The program requires a solid foundation in mathematics, science, and theoretical aspects of computer science, reinforced through experiential learning. As with the engineering programs, there is tight integration with the Master of Science program, and students will be able to take graduate level courses as soon as they have the prerequisites. It will be expected that most students will take at least one graduate level course as early as their junior year. In addition, the goal is to achieve ABET accreditation for the program.

Project-Oriented Curriculum. The program will strongly emphasize problem solving and project organization skills, and the binding of theory to practice. All students will undertake significant project work every year during their studies.

Collaborative Education. A central focus of the BS CS major will be creating a learning environment that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. This includes:
    •    Small class sizes.
    •    Projects and independent studies, including close interactions with faculty, opportunities for research and development projects, Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP), and independent studies on advanced topics that are otherwise not normally offered as stand-alone courses.
    •    Student mentoring to build leadership skills among upper-level students who will support first- and second-year students.
    •    Students will be responsible for the Microlab computing facilities in the department, under the supervision of faculty and IT staff; Microlab staff will assist students and faculty with issues including computer hardware, networks, and software installations.

Large Number of Electives. The requirements for the BS CS major include a substantial number of computer science, technical and free elective credits, as follows:
    •    Technical electives with CS courses and courses in engineering, math, and science.
    •    Free electives include courses in humanities, social sciences, art, and architecture as well courses that qualify as technical electives.
 
To learn more about the new Computer Science Program, visit our new webpage here.
 
Lastly, the ability to launch this program is due to the dedication of several colleagues, including Sam and Carl as well as Fred Fontaine and Mili Shah. Our thanks to the full Faculty of Engineering and all who were instrumental in this process.
 
We’re looking forward to getting started and happy to answer any questions you may have.
 
Demetrius Eudell                                  Barry Shoop
Vice President, Academic Affairs          Dean, Albert Nerken School of Engineering
 

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