Apr 16, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2014-2015 
    
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Undergraduate Record 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Computer Science (B.A.)

Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Departments/Programs  

Prerequisites

Before declaring the computer science major, students should have taken one introductory computer science course (either  CS1120, CS 1110, CS 1111, or CS 1112) with a grade of C+ or better, or have comparable experience. Students may be permitted to declare the major while they are currently taking the introductory course.

Requirements for Major

Computer Science majors must complete five core courses, four computing electives, and four integration electives. The five core courses are CS 2220 (Engineering Software) or CS 2110 (Software Development Methods), CS 2102 (Discrete Mathematics I), CS 2150 (Program and Data Representation), CS 3330 (Computer Architecture), and CS 4102 (Algorithms). The four computing electives are computing-intensive courses selected from the set of all Computer Science courses at 3000-level or above (except the core courses). The four integration electives are selected with the approval of the student’s advisor. These courses are offered by departments other than Computer Science, and should either provide fundamental computing depth and background or explore applications of computing to arts and sciences fields. The list of commonly approved integration electives is available from http://www.cs.virginia.edu/acad/ba/. 

Requirements to Declare the Major

In order to apply for the major, students must have taken one introductory computer science (either CS 1120, CS 1110, CS 1111, or CS 1112) with a grade of C+ or better, and must be enrolled in CS 2110 and CS 2102 (or must have already completed CS 2110 and CS 2102 with a grade of C+ or better). Students are accepted into the major, in the spring semester of their second year upon review of their applications. This is a selective process that takes into account the applicant’s GPA and application essay, as well as other factors.

Application Information

Applications must be completed in the spring semester (normally the student’s fourth semester). Deadlines are posted in the Computer Science Department office and on the departmental website; the deadline will be on or about March 15. Due to prerequisite dependencies, it is difficult for rising 3rd-year students who have not completed CS 2110 and CS 2102 to complete the major in the 4 remaining semesters, however, in exceptional cases, students in that situation may apply for the major by petition to the Chair. Individuals transferring to UVa as 3rd-year students will be considered in the summer before their arrival.

Students apply to the Computer Science major by completing a form available on the departmental website (www.cs.virginia.edu/acad/ba/about.html). Students list all CS courses taken or in progress and discuss any career goals or aspirations, computing-related extra-curricular activities, internships or experience. The essay invites students to reflect on their intellectual objectives in wishing to pursue the major and asks students to consider their career goals and how the BA in CS advances those goals. Applications are read and evaluated by the core faculty in Computer Science. All applicants will be notified of admission decisions by April 1.

Requirements for Graduating with BA degree in Computer Science

Beyond the prerequisite introductory computer science course, Computer Science majors must complete five core courses, four computing electives, and four integration electives. The five core courses are CS 2110 (Software Development Methods), CS 2102 (Discrete Mathematics I), CS 2150 (Program and Data Representation), CS 3330 (Computer Architecture), and CS 4102 (Algorithms). The four computing electives are computing-intensive courses selected from the set of all Computer Science courses at 3000-level or above (except the core courses). The four integration electives are selected with the approval of the student’s advisor. These courses are offered by departments other than Computer Science, and should either provide fundamental computing depth and background or explore applications of computing to arts and sciences fields. The list of commonly approved integration electives is available from the departmental website.

Distinguished Majors Program

Distinguished majors complete the B.A. degree requirements in addition to a fourth year thesis project that is approved by two advisors, typically one from Computer Science and one from Arts and Sciences.  Both advisors must approve the student’s plan of study, thesis proposal, and thesis report.

Requirements for Minor

The Computer Science minor consists of six courses: one of the introductory courses (CS 1110, CS 1111, CS 1112, or CS 1120); CS 2110 or CS 2220; CS 2102; CS 2150; and two 3000-level or higher CS electives.

Course Descriptions

Descriptions of Computer Science courses appear in the School of Engineering and Applied Science section.