CS Minor

A minor in Computer Science is an excellent way to broaden your horizons to include a deeper understanding of computing technology. It is also an excellent way to enhance your qualifications in an increasingly interdisciplinary world in which computing plays a central role. By gaining an understanding of computing, you can market yourself as a well rounded individual who can grasp both technical and theoretical concepts.

The minor includes a core set of requirements designed to give you a solid understanding of some of the most fundamental concepts in Computer Science. To complete the minor you personalize your program by selecting an additional elective. The elective choices are very diverse including courses on Computer Game Design, Database Systems, Software Design, Visualization, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Hardware Organization and Graphics.

Minor in Computer Science (final University approval pending)

The first step is to take CS 111, Introduction to Computing. (Students with previous programming experience can take a placement exam to place out of this course. Students who are College of Engineering majors may substitute CS 109.)

The College of Engineering requires a short application for all minors, and if you are not a College of Engineering student, you must fill out that form in order to register for CS 111. The application for the Computer Science Minor is available in the Computer Science Student Affairs Office in 905 Science and Engineering Offices (SEO). The form is a half page long and requires about 30 seconds to complete.

The minor requires 15-17 semester hours excluding prerequisite courses. This minor is not available to students in very closely related fields, including for example, Computer Engineering, and Mathematical Computer Science.

Prerequisite Courses (Total 8 hrs)

• CS 111 or 109 (3 hrs)
• Math 180 (5 hrs)

Required Courses (Total 12-14 hrs)

• CS 141 or 107 (3-4 hrs)
• CS 151 or 201 (3-4 hrs)
• CS 211 and CS 251 (6 hrs)

Elective Course. Select one of the following (Total 3 hrs):

• CS 261
• CS 301
• CS 342
• CS 401
• CS 411
• CS 424
• CS 425
• CS 426
• CS 480

For more information about the minor in general or about the exam to place out of CS 111, please contact John Lillis, Director of Undergraduates, lillis @ uic edu

CS Minor Application

To apply for the CS Minor you can either pick up the application form in room 905SEO or you can download this one and drop it off or mail it into:

Department of Computer Science
851 S. Morgan (M/C 152)
Room 1120 SEO
Chicago, IL 60607-7053

CS Minor Application