Computer Science - Comprehensive Emphasis Requirements (BS)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements 1 | ||
| Software Development Fundamentals: | ||
| COMPSCI 172 | INTRODUCTION TO JAVA | 3 |
| or COMPSCI 174 | INTRODUCTION TO C++ | |
| COMPSCI 220 | INTERMEDIATE JAVA | 3 |
| or COMPSCI 221 | INTERMEDIATE PROGRAMMING IN C# | |
| or COMPSCI 222 | INTERMEDIATE C++ | |
| COMPSCI 223 | DATA STRUCTURES | 3 |
| Core Courses: | ||
| COMPSCI 271 | COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ASSEMBLY PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| COMPSCI 320 | CONCEPTS OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES | 3 |
| COMPSCI 366 | DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | 3 |
| COMPSCI 412 | EMBEDDED SYSTEMS | 3 |
| COMPSCI 424 | OPERATING SYSTEMS | 3 |
| COMPSCI 433 | THEORY OF ALGORITHMS | 3 |
| COMPSCI 434 | THEORY OF COMPUTATION | 3 |
| COMPSCI 476 | SOFTWARE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| Ethics and Technology: | ||
| LIBST 350 | TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 3 |
| or PHILSPHY 245 | CONTEMPORARY MORAL ISSUES | |
| or PHILSPHY 246 | BUSINESS ETHICS | |
| Writing Requirement: | ||
| ENGLISH 370 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION | 3 |
| or PWP 371 | WRITING IN THE SCIENCES | |
| or PWP 372 | TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL WRITING | |
| Electives: | 12 | |
Any undergraduate COMPSCI courses numbered 300 or higher | ||
Any graduate COMPSCI courses numbered 700 or higher 2 | ||
| GRAPH THEORY | ||
| NUMERICAL ANALYSIS | ||
| Total Units | 51 | |
- 1
An approved minor is not required for this major. However, students in this major may be able to add a minor in Mathematics or in Statistics by completing 8 to 13 additional units of mathematics courses. Consult your advisor or the Department of Mathematics for more information.
- 2
Graduate courses (500+) may have additional requirements prior to enrollment by undergraduate students. See the Seniors Taking Graduate Courses Policy for further information. Undergraduate students taking graduate courses are not generally permitted to enroll in COMPSCI 789, COMPSCI 793, COMPSCI 798, or COMPSCI 799.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Requirement | ||
| MATH 253 | CALCULUS AND ANALYTIC GEOMETRY I | 5 |
| MATH 280 | DISCRETE MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| or COMPSCI 215 | DISCRETE STRUCTURES | |
| MATH 355 | MATRICES AND LINEAR ALGEBRA | 3 |
| STAT 342 | APPLIED STATISTICS | 3 |
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| ENGLISH 101 | 3 | ENGLISH 102 | 3 |
| MATH 142 | 4 | MATH 151 | 3 |
| COMPSCI 165 | 3 | COMPSCI 172 or 174 | 3 |
| CORE 130 | 3 | CORE 140 or 120 | 3 |
| INTRAUNV 104 | 1 | General Education Elective | 3 |
| PEGNRL 192 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| COMPSCI 220 or 222 | 3 | COMPSCI 271 | 3 |
| MATH 253 | 5 | COMPSCI 223 | 3 |
| CORE 110 | 3 | COMPSCI 215 | 3 |
| U.S. Racial/Ethnic Diversity Course (DV) | 3 | Lab Science course approved for comprehensive major | 5 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| COMPSCI 320 | 3 | COMPSCI 412 | 3 |
| COMPSCI 366 | 3 | COMPSCI 424 | 3 |
| COMPSCI 300/400-LEvel Technical Elective | 3 | COMPSCI 300/400-Level Technical Elective | 3 |
| MATH 355 | 3 | STAT 342 | 3 |
| COMM 110 | 3 | Lab Science course approved for comprehensive major | 5 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Units | Spring | Units |
| COMPSCI 433 | 3 | COMPSCI 434 | 3 |
| COMPSCI 476 | 3 | Elective course (if needed) | 3 |
| COMPSCI 300/400-Level Techninal Elective | 3 | COMPSCI 300/400-Level Technical Elective | 3 |
| CORE 390 | 3 | ENGLISH 370, PWP 371, or PWP 372 | 3 |
| Ethics and Technology course | 3 | LSINDP 399 | 1 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Units: 121 | |||
The curriculum in the computer science major is somewhat structures but students can move through the coursework in many ways. This four-year plan illustrates one possible path a new freshman could take to complete a degree in four years. This is not an official document and is not the only way that a computer science degree can be completed in four years. Current students should refer to their individual Academic Advising Report for specific graduation requirements. Courses in bold indicate major-based coursework that is completed in the first year.
Notes: The math and English courses you will take during your first year will depend on UW System placement exam scores. This four-year plan reflects the math and English courses most common for students in this major. All students are encourage to complete placement testing prior to attending Warhawks SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration).
Opportunities: The Thinking In Code learning experience is a great option for first-year students with a major in computer science or considering a major in computer science. Joining a university-sponsored club and actively participating is strongly encouraged. Involvement in a club or activity will help you develop interpersonal skills, give you the opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills, and adds to your resume.
Notes: Students are encouraged to start thinking about selecting a minor in the second year. Common minors selected by computer science majors include: Information Technology, Media Arts and Game Development (MAGD), Mathematics, General Business, Cybersecurity, Bioinformatics, and Website Development and Administration. While these minors are common among computer science majors, you can choose from over 100 options that include Art, Japanese Studies, Philosophy and more.
Opportunities: Undergraduate research is not required as part of the computer science program but is highly recommended for students who have an interest in attending graduate school in the future. Completing a directed research project with a faculty mentor has many benefits: it develops a student’s critical thinking and writing abilities, signals to graduate school programs that a student is prepared for independent research of their own, and it can provide a student with financial support since many undergraduate research opportunities are paid.
Opportunities: An internship is not required for the computer science major but can be a great opportunity for practical experience. An internship is an experiential learning opportunity that provides students with hands-on experience in a potential career field, supervision and coaching from prospective employers, and the ability to learn professional norms and behaviors. In addition, completing an internship allows students to differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. Students should begin planning for an internship by the beginning of the junior year and can complete the internship in the junior or senior year. The internship course, Computer Science 493, counts as an upper-level technical elective.
Notes: All students must earn 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree and many students have the opportunity to choose additional courses in the fourth year to expand skills, explore interests, or try something new.
Opportunities: LSINDP 399: Career Information in Letters and Sciences is a 1-credit course that focuses on career and graduate school opportunities; identifying skills, strengths, and work values; creating effective job search materials; developing a networking strategy; and planning to a successful post-graduation transition. Planning for Graduation: Students are encouraged to apply for graduation one full semester prior to their intended graduation date. Information about commencement and the application for graduation are on the Registrar’s Office website (http://www.uww.edu/registrar/graduation).