Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Computer Science B.A.Computer Science and Engineering Administration
College of Liberal Arts
Computer science concerns the study of the hardware, software, and theoretical aspects of high-speed computing devices and the application of these devices to a broad spectrum of scientific, technological, and business problems. The curriculum gives students a basic understanding of computer science. After completing a required set of fundamental courses, students can arrange their subsequent work around one of several emphases within computer science. The program prepares students for a variety of industrial, governmental, and business positions involving the use of computers, or for graduate work in the field.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
Students must complete
5 courses
before admission to the program.
Freshman and transfer students are usually admitted to pre-major status
before admission to this major.
A GPA above 2.0 is preferred for the following:
A 3.2 technical GPA or above will guarantee admission. Students applying to the major with below a 3.2 technical GPA will be considered for admission based on space available in the program. Information on the Technical GPA can be found z.umn.edu/techgpa
There are two entry sequences for introductory computer science: [CSCI 1133 & CSCI 1933], or [(CSCI 1103 or CSCI 1113) & CSCI 1913]. Students who intend to major in Computer Science should take the 1133-1933 sequence. Students who have AP credit in computer science will receive credit for CSCI 1103 and must take CSCI 1913. Students who are in other majors and would like to transfer to the computer science program may choose either sequence. Please note that the sequences cannot be mixed and matched. Students who take CSCI 1133 must take CSCI 1933, and students who take either CSCI 1103 or CSCI 1113 must take CSCI 1913.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Mathematics and Computer Science
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 20 or more credit(s) from the following:
Mathematics Core
Take 3 or more course(s) totaling 12 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
MATH 1271 - Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1371 - CSE Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1571H - Honors Calculus I
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
·
MATH 1272 - Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1372 - CSE Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 1572H - Honors Calculus II
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 2011 - Discrete Structures of Computer Science
(4.0 cr)
or
CSCI 2011H - Honors Discrete Structures of Computer Science
(4.0 cr)
·
Computer Science Introductory Core
Take 2 courses for 8 credits. Option 1 is the recommended sequence. Sequences cannot be mixed and matched. See above note for more information.
Option 1
CSCI 1933 - Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 1133 - Introduction to Computing and Programming Concepts
(4.0 cr)
or
CSCI 1133H - Honors Introduction to Computing and Programming Concepts
(4.0 cr)
or
Option 2
CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java
(4.0 cr)
or
CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 1913 - Introduction to Algorithms, Data Structures, and Program Development
(4.0 cr)
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language.
All CLA BA degrees require 18 upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits outside the major designator. These credits must be taken in designators different from the major designator and cannot include courses that are cross-listed with the major designator. The major designator for the Computer Science BA is CSCI.
Students may complete no more than one degree in the computer science program: a BA or a BS or a minor.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.
Major Courses
Take 6 courses for a total of 23 credits.
STAT 3021 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 2021 - Machine Architecture and Organization
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 2041 - Advanced Programming Principles
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 4061 - Introduction to Operating Systems
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 2033 - Elementary Computational Linear Algebra
(4.0 cr)
or
MATH 4242 - Applied Linear Algebra
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 4041 - Algorithms and Data Structures
(4.0 cr)
or
CSCI 4041H {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
Electives
Take 8 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
CSCI 4011 - Formal Languages and Automata Theory
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4131 - Internet Programming
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4611 - Programming Interactive Computer Graphics and Games
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4950 - Senior Software Project
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4994H {Inactive}
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5103 - Operating Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5105 - Introduction to Distributed Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5106 - Programming Languages
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5115 - User Interface Design, Implementation and Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5117 - Developing the Interactive Web
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5123 - Recommender Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5125 - Collaborative and Social Computing
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5127W - Embodied Computing: Design & Prototyping
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5143 - Real-Time and Embedded Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5161 - Introduction to Compilers
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5204 - Advanced Computer Architecture
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5221 - Foundations of Advanced Networking
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5231 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5271 - Introduction to Computer Security
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5302 - Analysis of Numerical Algorithms
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5304 - Computational Aspects of Matrix Theory
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5403 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5421 - Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5451 - Introduction to Parallel Computing: Architectures, Algorithms, and Programming
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5461 - Functional Genomics, Systems Biology, and Bioinformatics
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5471 - Modern Cryptography
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5481 - Computational Techniques for Genomics
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5512 - Artificial Intelligence II
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5521 - Machine Learning Fundamentals
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5523 - Introduction to Data Mining
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5525 - Machine Learning: Analysis and Methods
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5551 - Introduction to Intelligent Robotic Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5552 - Sensing and Estimation in Robotics
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5561 - Computer Vision
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5607 - Fundamentals of Computer Graphics 1
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5608 - Fundamentals of Computer Graphics II
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5609 - Visualization
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5611 - Animation & Planning in Games
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5619 - Virtual Reality and 3D Interaction
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5708 - Architecture and Implementation of Database Management Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5715 - From GPS, Google Maps, and Uber to Spatial Data Science
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5801 - Software Engineering I
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5802 - Software Engineering II
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4203 - Computer Architecture
(4.0 cr)
or
EE 4363 - Computer Architecture and Machine Organization
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4211 - Introduction to Computer Networks
(3.0 cr)
or
CSCI 5211 - Data Communications and Computer Networks
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4511W - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
CSCI 5511 - Artificial Intelligence I
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4707 - Practice of Database Systems
(3.0 cr)
or
CSCI 5707 - Principles of Database Systems
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4921 - History of Computing
[TS, HIS]
(3.0 cr)
or
HSCI 4321 - History of Computing
[TS, HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
Advanced Project Laboratory, Topics, and Directed Study
No more than 3 credits from CSCI 4970 or 59xx courses may count toward the elective requirement. CSCI 5996 can not count toward the elective requirement.
Take at most 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
CSCI 4970W - Advanced Project Laboratory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5980 - Special Topics in Computer Science
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5991 - Independent Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5994 - Directed Research
(1.0-3.0 cr)
Senior Project
Take 1 course for 4 credits.
CSCI 3081W - Program Design and Development
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
CSCI 3081W - Program Design and Development
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 3921W - Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4511W - Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
CSCI 4970W - Advanced Project Laboratory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
CSCI 5127W - Embodied Computing: Design & Prototyping
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1271/Math 1381/Math 1571/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 1272/Math 1282/Math 1372/ |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 2011/CSci 2011H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 2011/CSci 2011H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 1902/CSci 1933/CSci 1933H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 1133/CSci 1133H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 1133/CSci 1133H |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | STAT 3021/STAT 3021H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4061/INet 4001 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Math 4242/Math 4457 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4041/CSci 4041H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4131/CSci 5131 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 5204/EE 5364 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 5512W/CSci 5512 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Prerequisites: | 2041 or # |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4203/EE 4363 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4203/EE 4363 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4211/CSci 5211/INET 4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4211/CSci 5211/INET 4002 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4511W/CSci 5511 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4511W/CSci 5511 |
Prerequisites: | [2041 or #], grad student |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4707/CSci 5707/INET 4707 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4707/CSci 5707/INET 4707 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4921/HSci 4321 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4921/HSci 4321 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 27.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 3081W/CSci 4018W/CSci4089 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 3081W/CSci 4018W/CSci4089 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4511W/CSci 5511 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |