Jun 16, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Computer Science B.S.


Return to: School of Engineering and Applied Science: Degree Programs  


Accreditation


The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET - https://www.abet.org.

 


Program Objectives


Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program:

  • Have the knowledge and skills that allow them to make tangible contributions in their profession.
  • Have the knowledge and skills that allow them meet new technical challenges.
  • Are able to contribute effectively to society.
  • Are able to work effectively as team leaders and members.
  • Have the ability to be innovators in the design, analysis and application of computer systems.

 


GPA Requirement


BSCS majors must have a 2.0 GPA average for CS courses in order to graduate.  For courses that must be repeated due to a failing grade or not obtaining the needed grade as a prerequisite for a later course, all grades (including the original grade) count toward the CS GPA.

Degree Requirements


All students completing the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science must fulfill the following requirements.

School of Engineering and Applied Science General Requirements


BSCS students must complete the unified set of general requirements for all engineering majors.  More information can be found on the SEAS Academic Rules page.  These courses are often completed during the first two years in SEAS, with the exception of STS 4500 and 4600, which are taken during the fall and spring of the fourth year, respectively.

Introduction to Programming


All SEAS students (including CS majors) must complete one Introduction to Programming course as a part of their general SEAS requirements.  Students may also complete this requirement through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual-enrollment credit.  Some students with programming experience may wish to take the place-out test, which satisfies the requirement but does not award degree credit.  Please contact the department for more information about place-out tests.

Choose one of the following:

Foundation Courses


These courses are the next set of courses students take after finishing Introduction to Programming and comprise the set of prerequisites for upper-level courses.  The 2000 level courses should be taken before the 3000 level courses and note that there are other prerequisites that govern the order that these courses should be taken.  Example schedules can be found on the Computer Science Department webpage.

Upper-Level Required Courses


BSCS majors must take one upper-level course in software engineering and one course to complete the SEAS senior thesis.

Computer Science Electives


BSCS majors must take fifteen (15) credits of CS courses at the 3000 level or higher.  Courses from other disciplines will only be accepted under rare circumstances and by approval of the CS Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

Guidelines for CS Electives:

  • Must have a CS mnemonic.
  • Must be at the 3000 level or higher.
  • Must not be a foundation course or upper-level required course.
  • Second digit of course number must not be 0 or 9, except as noted below.
  • Two electives with significant overlap of material cannot both count toward the CS degree.
  • Up to three (3) credits of CS 4993 - Independent Study may count toward the CS elective requirement.  Credits beyond this limit may be applied to the unrestricted elective requirement.

Applied Mathematics Electives


BSCS majors must take three (3) additional courses in Applied Mathematics beyond the SEAS General Requirements.  Equivalent courses from the Department of Mathematics may be substituted for matching APMA courses.

Math and Science Elective I


Students must complete a 3 credit Math and Science Elective chosen from: BIOL 2100, BIOL 2200, CE 2001, CHEM 1420, EVSC 2800, EVSC 3200, EVSC 3300, MSE 2090, PHYS 2620, or an approved 2000-level or higher APMA course not already required by a student’s major and does not duplicate material from another APMA course. 

Humanities and Social Science (HSS) Electives


BSCS majors must complete a total of fifteen (15) credits of HSS electives, which includes the nine (9) credits of HSS courses required by the general SEAS requirements.  HSS electives are selected from an approved list (available in A122 Thornton Hall) of humanities and social science offerings. Communication courses in the student’s native or first language, regardless of their level, may not be used to satisfy this requirement.  See the SEAS page regarding electives for more information.

Unrestricted Electives


BSCS majors must complete fifteen (15) credits of unrestricted electives.  Unrestricted electives may be chosen from any graded course in the University except mathematics courses below MATH 1310; courses that substantially duplicate any others offered for the degree, including PHYS 2010, PHYS 2020, CS 1010, CS 1020; any introductory programming course; or SCPS courses. APMA 1090 counts as a three credit unrestricted elective. See the SEAS page regarding electives for more information.

Additional Information


For more information about the major or the Computer Science department, please see our website at http://www.cs.virginia.edu or call the CS office at 434.982.2200.