What's happening
This bill requires New York higher education institutions to allow computer science courses to count toward liberal arts math or science degree requirements.
Why it matters
Expands degree flexibility. By allowing computer science courses to fulfill liberal arts math or science requirements, students have more options in how they complete core degree requirements, which could accelerate graduation or help tailor their education to career interests.
Modernizes curriculum. The bill recognizes computer science as a central discipline alongside traditional math and science, reflecting the growing importance of digital skills in the workforce and society.
Broadly defines computer science. The bill includes a wide range of topics within computer science—from hardware and software design to social impacts—ensuring that diverse, relevant courses can count toward degree requirements.
Potential to boost enrollment and diversity. By integrating computer science into core requirements, the bill could encourage more students, including those who might not otherwise take computing courses, to gain essential digital literacy and possibly pursue technology-related fields.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Count Coding as Liberal Arts
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Computer Science Count
In Senate Committee · Higher Education · Sponsor Michael H. Ranzenhofer
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1738
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring regulations authorizing computer science courses to count towards liberal arts content at institutions of higher learning
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 208-b to read as follows:
§ 208-b. Course requirements. 1. The commissioner and the board of regents are authorized and directed to establish rules and/or regulations authorizing computer science courses to count towards the liberal arts content in math or science required for each degree at institutions of higher learning in New York state.
2. For purposes of this section, "computer science" means the study of computers and algorithmic processes including the study of computing principles, computer hardware and computer software design, computer applications, and the impact of computers on society. Courses may include, but not be limited to:
a. software design;
b. hardware design;
c. creation of digital artifacts;
d. abstraction;
e. logic;
f. algorithm development and implementation;
g. programming paradigms and languages;
h. theoretical foundations;
i. networks;
j. graphics;
k. databases and information retrieval;
l. information security and privacy;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02475-01-7
A. 1738 2
m. artificial intelligence;
n. the relationship between computing and mathematics;
o. the limits of computation;
p. applications in information technology;
q. the social impacts of computing.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.