Jul 02, 2024  
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025 
    
Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Computer Science, B.A.


 Return to: College of Arts & Sciences: Degree Programs   


The BA degree program in Computer Science provides students with a solid foundation in computer science theory and practice. An important goal of the program is give students the ability to apply computing to other disciplines in the arts and sciences (e.g., life and physical sciences, mathematics, social sciences, visual and performing arts). This idea of studying computer science in the context of a liberal arts education is what distinguishes the BA in Computer Science from computing degrees in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Graduates of this program will be prepared to apply their technical knowledge to analyze and solve computing challenges in a wide range of problem areas, including those faced by today’s computing industry. Graduates will also be prepared for graduate study in computer science and other fields that require knowledge of computer science.

Universal Curriculum Requirements


To be awarded a degree from the (Add school name), students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .

Declaring the Major and Application Process


Students must have successfully completed the pre-requisites described below in order to declare the major.

Due to prerequisite dependencies, it is difficult for students who have not completed CS 2100 by the end of their fifth semester to complete the major in their three remaining semesters. Ability to complete the degree in a timely manner is a factor in acceptance into the major.

Second Majors: Because the goals of the degree are integrated with the study of the liberal arts, students from outside the College of Arts and Sciences who have not taken significant coursework in the College will not be allowed to declare the BA in CS degree as a second major. Students enrolled in the School of Engineernig and Applied Science are not allowed to declare the BACS as a second major.

Transfer Students from Outside the University: Students transferring into the University from other institutions must apply to the department to be allowed to declare the BA in CS major. This should take place during the summer before a transfer student begins classes, and the overall process will be discussed during the summer orientation session. If an incoming transfer does not attend summer orientation, they must meet with a CS advisor before classes begin to discuss their request. Transfer students who start in the spring semester should contact the department when they begin to register for courses. 

Transfer students who have not completed courses equivalent to the degree’s pre-requisites described below before their first semester in residence cannot be accepted into the major until those are completed. We strongly recommend that students transferring to the University as third-years complete the equivalent of CS 2100 before coming to UVA. Due to prerequisite dependencies, it is difficult for students who do not complete CS 2100 or its equivalent by the end of their fifth semester to complete the BA in CS in the three remaining semesters. 

Prerequisites: 7 credit hours


Program Requirements


Restricted Electives: 9 credit hours


Students will select three courses from the following prescribed list.  Note that at most three (3) credits of CS 4993, Independent Study, may count toward the CS restricted elective requirement.

Integration Electives: 12 credit hours


These are non-CS courses that contribute to this program of study by exploring applications of computing to arts and sciences fields in a significant way or by providing fundamental computing depth and background. Integration electives are courses offered by departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. The list of approved courses for students with a “requirement term” of Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 is available here.

American Studies


Anthropology


Women & Gender Studies


Distinguished Majors Program: 6 credit hours


Students in the Distinguished Majors Program are required to complete the B.A. degree requirements as well as a fourth year thesis project. For the thesis project, a student must enroll in the following course for two semesters. 

  • Credits: 3
  •  

    The thesis project must be approved by two advisors, typically one from Computer Science and one from a department in the College of Arts and Sciences. Both advisors must approve the student’s plan of study, thesis proposal, and thesis report. The research project will require students to demonstrate a high level of innovative, independent research and analysis. Upon completion of the research paper, the faculty advisors will assign the work one of the following awards: Highest Distinction, High Distinction, Distinction.

Additional Information


For more information about the major of the Department of Computer Science, please see our website at http://www.cs.virginia.edu/ or call the CS office at 434-982-2200.