Printable versions of the Computer Science major requirements and course prerequisites diagrams can be found here:
Suggested Sequence A (updated Summer 2018; for students who entered the CS major before Fall 2019)
Prerequisites Diagram A (updated Summer 2018; for students who entered the CS major before Fall 2019)
Suggested Sequence B (for students who enter the CS major in Fall 2019 and later semesters)
Prerequisites Diagram B (for students who enter the CS major in Fall 2019 and later semesters)
Suggested Sequence A (updated Summer 2018; for students who entered the CS major before Fall 2019)
Prerequisites Diagram A (updated Summer 2018; for students who entered the CS major before Fall 2019)
Suggested Sequence B (for students who enter the CS major in Fall 2019 and later semesters)
Prerequisites Diagram B (for students who enter the CS major in Fall 2019 and later semesters)
First Year
Fall Semester
CSC 099 / Orientation to Computer Science | 0 course units |
CSC 220 / CS I: Computational Problem Solving | 1 course unit |
MAT 127 / Calculus A | 1 course unit |
FSP / First Seminar * | 1 course unit |
Liberal Learning (Foreign Language suggested)** | 1 course unit |
* Selected to fulfill a Liberal Learning requirement for Arts and Humanities or Social Sciences and History | |
**Note: Arabic 151 and 152, Chinese 151 and 152, Japanese 151 and 152, and Russian 151 and 152 (offered annually); and Persian 151 and 152 (offered occasionally) are intensive courses and carry two course units of credit each. Students should take this into account when planning a normal four-course semester. |
Spring Semester
CSC 230 / CS II: Data Structures | 1 course unit |
CSC 270 / Discrete Structures | 1 course unit |
MAT 128 / Calculus B or MAT 205 / Linear Algebra |
1 course unit |
Liberal Learning (Foreign Language suggested) | 1 course unit |
First Year Total: 8 (plus orientation) course units |
Second Year
CSC 199/ CS Professional Development Seminar | 0.25 course unit |
CSC 325 / Computer Architecture | 1 course unit |
CSC 335 / Analysis of Algorithms | 1 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems or CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
Mobile Computing Course or Free Elective | 1 course unit |
STA 215 / Statistical Inference | 1 course unit |
Natural Science (for science majors; with lab) | 1 course unit |
Liberal Learning (Foreign Language suggested) | 1 course unit |
Second Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Third Year – for CS majors intending to apply for jobs in the industry
CSC 299 / Junior Seminar Course | 0.25 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems or CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 415 / Software Engineering | 1 course unit |
Natural Science (for science majors; with lab) | 2 course units |
Liberal Learning | 2 course units |
Free Elective | 1 course unit |
Third Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Third Year – for CS majors intending to apply to graduate schools
CSC 299 / Junior Seminar Course | 0.25 course unit |
CSC 498 /Mentored Research (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 415 / Software Engineering | 1 course unit |
CSC 445 / Theory of Computation | 1 course unit |
CSC 345 / Operating Systems or Free Elective – CSC 498 0r CSC 499 / Mentored Research I or II (see List) recommended (with intent to publish) |
1 course unit |
Natural Science (for science majors; with lab) | 2 course units |
Liberal Learning | 2 course units |
Third Year Totals: 8.25 course units |
Fourth Year – for CS majors intending to apply for jobs in the industry
CSC / Capstone Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
CSC 435 / Programming Languages or CSC 445 / Theory of Computation |
1 course unit |
Math or Science Option | 1 course unit |
Liberal Learning | 3 course units |
Free Elective | 2 course units |
Fourth Year Totals: 8 course units |
Fourth Year – for CS majors intending to apply to graduate schools
CSC / Option Course (see List) – CSC 435 / Programming Languages recommended |
1 course unit |
CSC / Option Course (see List) | 1 course unit |
Math or Science Option | 1 course unit |
Liberal Learning | 3 course units |
Free Elective – CSC 498 or CSC 499 / Mentored Research I or II (see List) recommended | 1 course unit |
Free Elective | 1 course unit |
Fourth Year Totals: 8 course units |