Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (STEM)

at Queens College USA

French has been an international language for hundreds of years, and is often called the language of diplomacy. Today it is spoken by more than 200 million people in over 40 countries. The French language plays a major role in global business, diplomacy, and culture. The French and Francophone literary, artistic, and philosophical traditions exert a profound influence on the contemporary world.

Students receive instruction in speaking, reading, and writing French, and study French literature, arts, and culture. Majors and minors are encouraged to immerse themselves in both language and culture through the CUNY/Paris Exchange Program as well as programs available at the French embassy.

For students interested in understanding and appreciating the literature and civilization of the Jewish people, Hebrew is indispensable.

Coursework emphasizes Hebrew language instruction, developing skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and translation. Advanced students take courses in biblical, Rabbinic, and modern Hebrew literature; Israeli culture; and courses in Aramaic and Talmud. There also are courses on Hebrew literature of various periods and Israeli, Sephardic, and Yiddish literature and culture in  translation. Students are encouraged to pursue study abroad in Israel.

The program in East Asian Studies is flexible and interdisciplinary, combining language instruction with the humanities and social sciences. Students become proficient in one or more languages and acquire knowledge of the history, cultures, and societies of Asia.
In a globalizing world, this field has become increasingly relevant to students interested in such fields as law and policy, the arts, secondary education, and business and the professions.

The Latin American & Latino Studies (LALS) program offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Latin America and the Caribbean, and the movements and settlement of the peoples and cultures of those regions in the United States. It combines Latin American, Puerto Rican, and Latino ethnic studies.

Courses give students a detailed knowledge of the development, institutions, language, and customs of Latin America. They cover such topics as the physical environment, arts and music, culture, and economic and political history. Most courses are conducted in English, with the exception of those on language and literature.

A knowledge of German is essential for students interested in past and current cultural, political, and economic developments in Europe. As the largest trading partner in Europe, Germany plays a leading role in European and world affairs—as it has historically. Moreover, the German language is fundamental to a liberal arts education. German-speaking writers, artists, and scholars shaped modern arts, literature, and fields of inquiry, including philosophy, theology, and the natural and social sciences. Germany remains a center of avant-garde art, music, film, and thought. Coursework emphasizes both language proficiency and the study of German literature, art, music, philosophy, history, and culture.

The study of art is at the core of a liberal arts education. Queens College’s varied curriculum, large faculty, and excellent studio facilities support a variety of interests and aspirations. Students may choose from four main concentrations: art history, covering both Western and non-Western art; studio art, in which students are trained to work in several media; art education, combining a major in studio art with courses in secondary education; and graphic design, in which students learn principles of type and image design for print or web.

Latin is one of the gems of the liberal arts curriculum. Learning Latin gives students access to the language and literature of the ancient Roman Empire, and it opens myriad cultural resources as Latin remained the international language of educated people through the Renaissance—hence it was the language of Western diplomacy, religion, history, science, literature, and the arts.

Students of Latin learn the language and, through it, come to understand classical Roman prose and poetry. Courses may be supplemented by work in translation in classics, literature, drama, art, history, and philosophy.

A degree in Latin can be a gateway to graduate work in a classics-related field, history, or philosophy. Equally, Latin is superb discipline for a grasp of English and other European languages’ structure and linguistic roots. The major stresses the excellent reading and writing skills that prove most valuable to liberal arts graduates.

The department offers a wide variety of coursework, with an emphasis on cultural, biological, and archaeological anthropology. The curriculum provides foundations in the study of human origins and development, varieties of human culture, and the cultural and social complexities of the human species.

The study of Italian connects students to one of the world’s great civilizations. From medieval times to the present, Italy has produced great literature, art, architecture, philosophy, science, and scholarship. Its history and politics continue to fascinate scholars while Italian film is synonymous with the highest achievements of cinematic art.

At Queens College, students can expect to achieve proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the Italian language, followed by advanced courses in translation, literature, and culture. They may also opt for a minor in Italian American studies, an interdisciplinary subject area relevant to the larger history and culture of the American nation. Students are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities. The college also houses a chapter of Gamma Kappa Alpha, the national Italian honor society.

Graduates use their proficiency in Italian and their knowledge of Italian culture in a variety of careers in business, translation, publishing, and the arts. Many prepare for a career in teaching Italian in the secondary schools. For some, the major or minor gives a solid foundation for graduate study.

Physics is one of the most demanding majors offered at Queens College, and it attracts exceptional students. In small classes taught by distinguished faculty, students benefit from an adaptable curriculum of theory and applied science, including courses that teach experimental skills, mathematical physics, and the principles of both classical and modern physics, such as mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and special and general relativity. Electives explore connections between physics and other sciences, such as telecommunications and computer science. Students are encouraged to participate in the faculty’s internationally recognized experimental and theoretical research programs in optics, magnetic thin films, polymer surfaces, quantum dots and nanowires, multiple quantum wells, and photonic integration.