Dual Major in Finance and Computer Science

The dual major (Finance and Computer Science) is an innovative interdisciplinary combination of curriculum that will provide students with unique skills. As such, a graduate of this dual major will be able to apply computer science techniques to the finance field.

This dual major does not constitute a dual degree. Students will not be receiving two bachelor's degrees if they pursue this dual major.  Students pursuing the Finance -Computer Science dual major must declare their degree selection as BA in Computer Science or BS in Finance.

Curricula

  Courses Credits
Magis Core 15 45
Business Core 11 33
Finance Major 6 18
Computer Science Major 12 (1-4 credits each) 32
Total 44 128

Note:  The Computer Science major also requires six (6) credits in Math (part of the Magis Core) and nine (9) Computer Science elective credits, which are part of the Finance major.

Magis Core Curriculum for Finance and Computer Science Dual Major

15 courses, 45 credits

Beginning with the Class of 2023, all undergraduate students will be required to complete the newly designed Magis Core Curriculum. For students entering Fairfield prior to fall 2019, please reference the Catalog Archive. Students pursuing the Computer Science – Finance dual major will fulfill certain areas of the Magis Core by taking specified courses as outlined below. Please refer to the Curricula section of this catalog for full requirements and a detailed explanation of the Magis Core. 

Tier I: Orientation

Mathematics
MATH 1121 Calculus or higher calculus course based on placement3
MATH 2217 Statistics or higher statistics course based on placement3
Modern or Classical Language
Select one language course based on placement3

Tier II: Exploration

Behavioral and Social Sciences
ECON 1011Introduction to Microeconomics3
ECON 1012Introduction to Macroeconomics3

Business Core Requirements

11 courses; 33 credits

ACCT 1011Introduction to Financial Accounting 13
ACCT 1012Introduction to Management Accounting 13
AETH 2291Business Ethics3
BUSN 1101Messaging and Persuasion: Effective Business Communication 13
BUSN 3211Legal Environment of Business3
DATA 1101Business Analytics3
FNCE 2101Introduction to Finance 23
INTL 2101Introduction to International Business3
MGMT 2101Introduction to Management 23
MGMT 4300Business Strategies in the Global Environment 33
MKTG 1101Principles of Marketing 23
Total Credits33
1

These courses should be primarily taken in the first year.

2

These courses should be primarily taken in the second year.

3

This course may not be taken until the senior year.

Finance Major Requirements

FNCE 3210Principles of Investment3
FNCE 3215Financial Management3
FNCE 4305Financial Trading and Strategic Simulations (Satisfies a Computer Science Elective)3
FNCE 4320Financial Modeling (Satisfies a Computer Science Elective)3
FNCE 4330Case Studies in Finance3
FNCE 4390Seminar in Finance (Satisfies a Computer Science Elective)3
Total Credits18

Finance Majors must maintain a GPA of at least a 2.50 in finance. 

Computer Science Major Requirements

Mathematics Requirements
MATH 1121Applied Calculus I3
MATH 1122Applied Calculus II3
or MATH 2217 Statistics I
Computer Science Requirements
CPSC 1101Introduction to Computing (Satisfies Business Elective)3
CPSC 1131Fundamentals of Programming3
CPSC 2304Web Development3
CPSC 2250LComputer Science Sophomore Clinic1
CPSC 2231
& 2231L		Programming Workshop
and Programming Workshop Lab		4
CPSC 2232
& 2232L		Data Structures
and Data Structures Lab		4
SWEG 3301Software Engineering Methods3
CPSC 3351LComputer Science Junior Clinic I1
SWEG 3302Software Design Methods3
CPSC 3352LComputer Science Junior Clinic II1
CPSC 3354Theory of Programming Languages3
Computer Science Electives
CPSC/SWEG Computer Science Elective3
Three required Computer Science Electives are met with these courses: 1
FNCE 4305
& FNCE 4320
& FNCE 4390
Financial Trading and Strategic Simulations
and Financial Modeling
and Seminar in Finance
Total Credits38
1

The 9 credits for these courses are counting under Finance Major Requirement

Suggested Course of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ACCT 1011 Introduction to Financial Accounting 3
ECON 1011 Introduction to Microeconomics 3
CPSC 1101 Introduction to Computing 3
MATH 1121 Applied Calculus I 3
Modern or Classical Language course 3
First Year Experience (FYE) 0
 Credits15
Spring
ACCT 1012 Introduction to Management Accounting 3
BUSN 1101
or INTL 2101
 Messaging and Persuasion: Effective Business Communication
or Introduction to International Business
 3
CPSC 1131 Fundamentals of Programming 3
ECON 1012 Introduction to Macroeconomics 3
ENGL 1001 Introduction to Rhetoric and Composition 3
MATH 2217 Statistics I 3
 Credits18
Second Year
Fall
CPSC 2231 Programming Workshop 3
CPSC 2231L Programming Workshop Lab 1
CPSC 2250L Computer Science Sophomore Clinic 1
CPSC 2304 Web Development 3
DATA 1101 Business Analytics 3
DATA 1101L Excel Certification Lab 0
FNCE 2101 Introduction to Finance 3
PHIL 1101 Introduction to Philosophy 3
 Credits17
Spring
BUSN 1101
or INTL 2101
 Messaging and Persuasion: Effective Business Communication
or Introduction to International Business
 3
CPSC 2232 Data Structures 3
CPSC 2232L Data Structures Lab 1
MGMT 2101 Introduction to Management 3
MKTG 1101 Principles of Marketing 3
RLST 1000-level 3
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
AETH 2291 Business Ethics 3
BUSN 3211 Legal Environment of Business 3
CPSC 3351L Computer Science Junior Clinic I 1
FNCE 3210 Principles of Investment 3
HIST 1100 Origins of the Modern World Since 1500 3
SWEG 3301 Software Engineering Methods 3
 Credits16
Spring
CPSC 3352L Computer Science Junior Clinic II 1
FNCE 3215 Financial Management 3
SWEG 3302 Software Design Methods 3
CPSC/SWEG Elective 3
Literature (Literature/Classics/Modern) course 3
Visual/Performing Arts 1000-level 3
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
CPSC 3354 Theory of Programming Languages 3
FNCE 4305 Financial Trading and Strategic Simulations 3
FNCE 4320 Financial Modeling 3
First Natural Science course 3
History/Philosophy/Religious Studies at 2000-level 1 3
 Credits15
Spring
FNCE 4330 Case Studies in Finance 3
FNCE 4390 Seminar in Finance 3
MGMT 4300 Business Strategies in the Global Environment 3
Second Natural Science course 3
History/Philosophy/Religious Studies course at 2000-level 1 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits128
1

Must take two different disciplines