Undergraduate Programs

New Undergraduate Curricula

A substantial revision of the undergraduate curricula will become active in Fall 2012. The links below describe the new curricula, plans for transition, how current students might be affected, etc.

• Official UIC Catalog Entry for the New Curricula.
• Transition Guide Document Including the following:
  • a summary of the changes and their rationale
  • guidance to continuing students who may elect to switch to the new program
  • phase-in and phase-out schedules of new courses and courses being retired.
• Tables summarizing requirements for each degree program (pdf). These are easier to read than the official catalog entries.
  • BS in Computer Science
  • BS in Computer Science, Human-Centered Computing Concentration
  • BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering Concentration
  • BS in Computer Science, Computer Systems Concentration

Undergraduate Tutoring Program

The CS department offers peer tutoring services focused on 100 and 200 level classes.

For the current list of tutors and the tutoring schedule, click here.

Tutoring sessions are held in 2260 SEL.

Undergraduate Advising

All College of Engineering undergraduate students are required to be advised before they are able to register for classes each semester. Advising hold will not be removed until you are advised. Fall and Spring advising sign-up is the 9^th week of the semester. Advising appointments are held during the 10^th week.

For Spring '12 semester: 9^th week is March 5-9, 2012 and 10^th week is March 12-16, 2012.

Find your advisor from the advising list and make an appointment with your advisor directly during the 9^th week. It is recommended that you bring your DARS report, list of courses you are interested in and any questions you have for your appointment. Once you are advised, fill out the advising form with your advisor and submit it to the CS Student Affairs office (SEO 905). Keep your white copy for your records. Staff in the office will remove your advising hold within 1-2 business days. Questions regarding advising can be directed to the CS Student Affairs Office, SEO 905. Phone: 312-413-4950 / 312-996-2290 or E-mail: ugrad@cs.uic.edu.

Information for Prospective Students (link)

Student Graduation Objectives (link)

Material Relating to the "Old" Curricula (active Fall 2007 -- Summer 2012)

• CS Undergraduate Course Flowchart
• Undergraduate curriculum for students entering IN OR AFTER Fall 2007
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS, Computer System Concentration
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS, Human Centered Computing Concentration
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS, Software Engineering Concentration
• Undergraduate curriculum for students who entered BEFORE Fall 2007
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS, Computer System Concentration
  • Required for the Bachelor of Science in CS, Software Engineering Concentration

---

Undergraduate curriculum in Computer Science:

Computer Science is a relatively young but extremely rich and diverse discipline. At one end of the spectrum, computer science may be viewed as the formal study of what can be computed and what resources are required for computation. At the other end of the spectrum, computer science may be seen as the application of human resources, software and, of course, computers to solve computational problems relating to society's and individuals' needs.

A well-trained computer scientist requires a knowledge of both ends of this spectrum--and several points in between. The Computer Science program in the Department of Computer Science is intended to provide that broad background. Along with a strong theoretical component, the Computer Science program places special emphasis on the development of applied skills in design, implementation, and validation of computer systems. In our experience, industry and graduate programs alike value--above all--people who can solve real problems, and who come prepared to use the tools of their trade.

All students acquire a common background in the fundamental areas of computer science: computer systems, organization and architecture, algorithms and data structures, principles of software design, elements of the theory of computation, and operating systems. In addition, students obtain specialized backgrounds through the selection of five technical elective courses in computer science. Required and elective courses in the sciences and mathematics, along with additional courses in writing, humanities, social sciences, and the arts give students the opportunity to expand their horizons and to prepare for multi disciplinary careers.

There are very few areas in modern society untouched by computer science. Computer science is present in everything from health care, telecommunications, and entertainment, to transportation, education, and defense. The result of this diversity is that a computer scientist must be capable of working with people outside his or her field. In support of this, the Computer Science program provides its students with a well-rounded education requiring significant course work outside the Department of Computer Science, placing a strong emphasis on writing and communication skills.

Concentrations:

Given the breadth and diversity of the computer science discipline, the Department of Computer Science also offers three concentration areas which place more emphasis on certain areas of computer science. These concentrations are:

• the Computer System Concentration
• the Software Engineering Concentration
• the Human-Centered Computing Concentration

The Department of Computer Science offers a Computer System Concentration within the B.S. program in computer science. Computer systems represents a sub-specialty that provides more emphasis on understanding and designing computer hardware. The student continues to learn the fundamental areas of computer science: programming, data structures, discrete math, algorithms, formal languages, architecture, and operating systems. Unlike traditional computer science, however, the student also studies low-level circuit analysis and high-level system design, and has the option to take additional hardware-oriented courses. The result is a unique blend of computer science and computer engineering.

The Department of Computer Science offers a Software Engineering Concentration within the B.S. in Computer Science program. The Software Engineering Concentration emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed to begin a professional practice in software engineering. The concentration continues to cover in depth the fundamental areas of computer science, including programming, data structures, discrete mathematics, algorithms, formal languages, computer architecture, and operating systems. In addition the concentration focuses on key topics of software engineering practice such as software cost estimation, large-scale software development, and risk management.

The Department of Computer Science offers a Human-Centered Computing Concentration within the B.S. program in Computer Science. The Human-Centered Computing Concentration emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed to begin a professional practice in areas such as: user-interface design and development for desktop or mobile devices; computer graphics and animation for video games, movie special effects; and scientific-, engineering- and medical visualization. The concentration continues to cover in depth the fundamental areas of computer science including programming, data structures, discrete mathematics, algorithms, formal languages, computer architecture, and operating systems. In addition the concentration focuses on key topics of human-centered computing practice such as user-interface design, computer graphics, visual media, and natural language processing.

Accreditation:

The Computer Science department's BS program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (and its predecessors) since 1997.

Students with Disabilities:

The University of Illinois at Chicago and the department of computer science are committed to providing an educational environment that is accessible to all students. In accordance with this commitment, students in need of accommodations due to a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center or Phone (312) 413-2183 for determination of reasonable accommodations as soon as possible.