Undergraduate Programs

• CS Undergraduate Advisor Listing
  Undergraduate students are required to be advised before they are able to register for classes the next semester. The advising hold will not be removed unless you are advised. Typical advising sign-up week is the 9^th week of Fall and Spring semester and advising is during the 10^th.

  Find your advisor from the list and sign-up for advising with your advisor during the 9^th week and then be present at that appointment to be advised. Once you are advised, the necessary paperwork is filled and submitted to the CS Student Affairs office (905 SEO), who will remove your advising hold.

  Questions regarding advising can be directed to the CS Student Affairs Office, 905 SEO. Phone: 312-413-4950 / 312-9960 or E-mail: ugrad@cs.uic.edu.

• Information for Prospective Students
• Student Graduation Objectives
• 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, 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.

Given the breadth and diversity of the computer science discipline, the Department of Computer Science also 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 also 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 Computer Science department's BS program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (and its predecessors) since 1997.