Schools, Departments & Programs

Linguistics

Computational Linguistics—B.S.
Purpose

The B.S. Degree in Computational Linguistics studies how language works in order to determine how a computer can understand and work with language. Typical applications include machine translation, automatic summarization of texts, and intelligent computer-assisted language learning. The major includes foundational courses from linguistics, computer science and computational linguistics.  Potential employers include large technology companies, start-ups, and universities and research institutes.

Requirements
  1. General Education and CASE Requirements
    1. English Composition (3 cr.)
    2. Mathematical Modeling (3 cr.)
    3. World Languages: four semesters of a foreign language or equivalent proficiency (14–16 cr.)
    4. One Public Oral Communication course (3 cr.)
    5. One Critical Approaches to the Arts and Sciences course (3 cr.)
    6. One Intensive Writing course (Recommended: this requirement may be fulfilled by completing one Arts and Humanities or Social and Historical Studies course that carries Intensive Writing credit.)
    7. Arts and Humanities: two courses (6 cr.)
    8. Social and Historical Studies: two courses (6 cr.)
    9. Natural and Mathematical Sciences: Must include at least one Natural Science course in fulfillment of the General Education curriculum, which can be combined with the math and logic foundation courses required by the major (6–8 cr.).
  2. Math and Logic Foundation Courses
    1. Mathematics: MATH-M 212 Calculus II (4 cr.)
    2. Statistics: STAT-S 320 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr.)
    3. Logic: PHIL-P 250 Introductory Symbolic Logic (3 cr.) or COGS-Q 350 Mathematics and Logic for the Cognitive and Information Sciences (4 cr.)
  3. Computational Linguistics B.S. Core Requirements
    1. Linguistics: LING-L 203 Introduction to Linguistic Analysis, LING-L 306 Phonetics, LING-L 307 Phonology, and LING-L 310 Syntax (12 cr.)
    2. Computational: LING-L 245 Language and Computers, LING-L 415 Corpus Linguistics, LING-L 435 Foundational Skills in Computational Linguistics, LING-L 445 Introduction to Computational Linguistics (12 cr.)
    3. Computer Science: CSCI-C 211 Introduction to Computer Science and CSCI-C 212 Introduction to Software Systems (8 cr.)
  4. Electives. Choose two courses (6–7 cr.) from the following:
    • Linguistics: LING-L 308 Morphology, LING-L 315 Introduction to Sociolinguistics, LING-L 325 Semantics
    • Informatics: CSCI-A 290 Tools for Computing, CSCI-C 241 Discrete Structures for Computer Science, CSCI-C 343 Data Structures
    • Cognitive Science: COGS-Q 351 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Computer Simulation
  5. Outside Concentration. The outside concentration must consist of 12 credit hours at any level taken in one department. The following disciplines are appropriate for an outside concentration: cognitive science, computer science, informatics, mathematics, psychology, or a foreign language (must be different from the language used to fulfill the World Language and Culture Requirement). Alternatively, students can fulfill the requirement by completing a minor in any of these departments.

Students must also complete all degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.