Computer Science (B.A.)

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Requirements for Major

Computer Science majors must complete two gateway courses, four core courses, four computing electives, and four integration electives.

Gateway Courses

CS 150 - From Ada and Euclid to Quantum Computing and the World Wide Web Credits: 3
CS 205 - Engineering Software Credits: 3
CS 201 can be substituted for CS 205.

Core Courses

CS 202 - Discrete Mathematics I Credits: 3
CS 216 - Program and Data Representation Credits: 3
CS 333 - Computer Architecture Credits: 3
CS 432 - Algorithms Credits: 3

Computing Electives

Four computing-intensive electives selected from a list of approved courses. Additional courses that may be jointly offered by CLAS and CS departments will be added to the list of approved computing electives based on approval by the BA committee.

CS 230 - Digital Logic Design Credits: 3
CS 302 - Discrete Mathematics II Credits: 3
CS 305 - HCI in Software Development Credits: 3
CS 340 - Advanced Software Development Techniques Credits: 3
CS 414 - Operating Systems Credits: 3
CS 415 - Programming Languages Credits: 3
CS 416 - Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3
CS 434 - Fault-tolerant Computing Credits: 3
CS 445 - Introduction to Computer Graphics Credits: 3
CS 446 - Real Time Rendering Credits: 3
CS 447 - Image Synthesis Credits: 3
CS 448 - Computer Animation Credits: 3
CS 453 - Electronic Commerce Technologies Credits: 3
CS 457 - Computer Networks Credits: 3
CS 458 - Internet Engineering Credits: 3
CS 462 - Database Systems Credits: 3
CS 471 - Compilers Credits: 3
CS 493 - Independent Study Credits: 1 to 3
CS 494 - Special Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
CS 551 - Selected Topics in Computer Science Credits: 1 to 3
CS 586 - Real-Time Systems Credits: 3
CS 587 - Security in Information Systems Credits: 3
CS 588 - Cryptology: Principles and Applications Credits: 3

Integration Electives

Four courses 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 approved integration electives is available from http://www.cs.virginia.edu/ba/.

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, 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 of Minor

The Computer Science minor consists of six courses; CS 101 or CS 150; CS 201 or CS 205; CS 202; CS 216; and two 300-level or higher CS electives.

Course Descriptions

Computer Science courses are described in the School of Engineering and Applied Science section.