Aspects of the present disclosure include reconfigurable integrated circuits for characterizing particles of a sample in a flow stream. Reconfigurable integrated circuits according to certain embodiments are programmed to calculate parameters of a particle in a flow stream from detected light; compare the calculated parameters of the particle with parameters of one or more particle classifications; classify the particle based on the comparison between the parameters of the particle classifications and the calculated parameters of the particle; and adjust one or more parameters of the particle classifications based on the calculated parameters of the particle. Methods for characterizing particles in a flow stream with the subject integrated circuits are also described. Systems and integrated circuit devices programmed for practicing the subject methods, such as on a flow cytometer, are also provided.