Department of Computer Science

• Degree Requirements—Computer Science
• Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science
• Degree Requirements—Computer Science with Computer Systems Concentration
• Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science with Computer Systems Concentration
• Degree Requirements—Computer Science with Software Engineering Concentration
• Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science with Software Engineering Concentration

• Minor in Computer Science
• Minor in Information Technology

1120 Science and Engineering Offices (SEO)
312–996–3422
ugrad@cs.uic.edu
http://www.cs.uic.edu
Administration: Head of the Department, Peter Nelson
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Patrick Troy
Student Services Office: 905 SEO, 312–996–3463
Academic Advisor: Patrick Troy

B.S. 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 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 multidisciplinary 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 Systems Concentration within the B.S. in Computer Science program. The Computer Systems Concentration 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, including 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.

Degree Requirements—Computer Science

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Computer Science degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Engineering section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Required outside the College of Engineering

^a Humanities and social sciences electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the College of Engineering. One of the humanities/social sciences/art or free electives must be approved to meet the cultural diversity requirement. Choices for the lab science elective are below. Science and arts electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the CS Department. More explanation of the science requirement is given below.

Required in the College of Engineering

^a ENGR 100 is a one-semester-hour course, but the hour does not count toward the total required for graduation.

Technical Electives

Required Mathematics Courses

^a Students who take IE 342 will not receive credit for either STAT 381 or STAT 401.
^b Students may choose to use MCS 471—Numerical Analysis as either a CS technical elective from outside the CS department or as a required mathematics course, but not both.

Lab Science Sequence and Science Electives

Every student must take one of the two-course lab sequences from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Physics. In Chemistry, either the sequence CHEM 112, CHEM 114, or the sequence CHEM 116, CHEM 118 may be chosen. The choices are in the list below. Additionally, students must take a total of at least 12 semester hours, including that sequence, in the science area. Additional courses may be other courses on this list, courses that have any of these courses as prerequisites, or other sciences and quantitative social sciences courses from a list maintained by the Computer Science Department.

Free Electives

Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science

Degree Requirements—Computer Science with Computer Systems Concentration

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Computer Systems Concentration degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Computer Science degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Engineering section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Required outside the College of Engineering

^a Humanities and social sciences electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the College of Engineering. One of the humanities/social sciences/art or free electives must be approved to meet the cultural diversity requirement. Humanities/social sciences/arts electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the CS Department.

Required in the College of Engineering

^a ENGR 100 is a one-semester-hour course, but the hour does not count toward the total required for graduation.

Technical Electives

Required Mathematics Courses

^a Students who take IE 342 will not receive credit for either STAT 381 or STAT 401.
^b Students may choose to use MCS 471—Numerical Analysis as either a CS technical elective from outside the CS department or as a required mathematics course, but not both.

Free Electives

Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science with Computer Systems Concentration

Degree Requirements—Computer Science with Software Engineering Concentration

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Software Engineering Concentration degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Computer Science degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Engineering section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Required outside the College of Engineering

^a Humanities and social sciences electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the College of Engineering.
^b Humanities/social sciences/arts electives may include IE 201—Engineering Economy. Students preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, which leads to becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer, are advised to take IE 201. One of the humanities/social sciences/art or free electives must be approved to meet the cultural diversity requirement. Choices for the lab science elective are below. Science and arts electives must be selected from a list of approved courses provided by the CS Department. More explanation of the science requirement is given below.

Required in the College of Engineering

^a ENGR 100 is a one-semester-hour course, but the hour does not count toward the total hours required for graduation.

Technical Electives

Required Mathematics Courses

^a Students may choose to use MCS 471—Numerical Analysis as either a CS technical elective from outside the CS department or as a required mathematics course, but not both.

Lab Science Sequence and Science Electives

Every student must take one of the two-course lab sequences from Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or Physics. In Chemistry, either the sequence CHEM 112, CHEM 114, or the sequence CHEM 116, CHEM 118 may be chosen. The choices are in the list below. Additionally, students must take a total of at least 12 credit hours, including that sequence, in the science area. Additional courses may be other courses on this list, courses that have any of these courses as prerequisites, or other sciences and quantitative social sciences courses from a list maintained by the Computer Science Department. Also, students preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, which leads to becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer, are advised to take the Physics sequence of PHYS 141 and PHYS 142.

Free Electives

Students preparing for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination, which leads to becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer, are advised to use these hours to take CME 201—Statics and one course from the following: CME 203—Strength of Materials, CME 260—Properties of Materials, and ME 211—Fluid Mechanics I.

Sample Course Schedule—Computer Science with Software Engineering Concentration

Minors

Minor in Computer Science

For the minor, 14–17 semester hours are required, excluding prerequisite courses. This minor is not available to students in very closely related fields, including Computer Systems, Computer Engineering, and Mathematical Computer Science.

^a A student may substitute CS 107 for both CS 101 and CS 102, thus reducing the number of hours for the CS Minor by 2 credit hours. This substitution was designed for students in the College of Engineering.

Minor in Information Technology

The explosive growth of the World Wide Web and its universal acceptance by society has changed the computing landscape forever. Today, the typical computer user neither knows nor needs to know very much about how a computer works in order to use it. They need to have appropriate systems in place. Those systems must work properly, be secure, and be upgraded, maintained, and replaced as appropriate. What these users need, however, is a professional who can help them access new technologies effectively and appropriately. The Information Technologist is that professional. People throughout an organization require support from Information Technology staff who understand computer systems and their software, and are committed to solving computer-related problems they might have. From Web masters to network and system administrators, information technologists are the key agents in the societal revolution that is changing us from an industrial society to a digital/information society.

For the minor, 12 semester hours are required, excluding prerequisite courses. Students who wish to minor in Information Technology (IT) must complete the following: