Interdisciplinary - Computer Science

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Overview

Computer Science is the study of information processes. Computer scientists learn how to describe information processes, how to reason about and predict properties of information processes, and how to implement information processes elegantly and efficiently in hardware and software. The Computer Science B.A. degree concentrates on developing the deep understanding of computing and critical thinking skills that will enable graduates to pursue a wide variety of possible fields and to become academic, cultural, and industrial leaders in areas that integrate the arts and sciences with computing. The B.A. Computer Science degree is designed to provide students entering the University without previous background in computing with an opportunity to major in Computer Science, while taking courses in arts, humanities, and sciences to develop broad understanding of other areas and their connections to computing. Computing connects closely with a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to , the visual arts, music, life sciences including biology and cognitive science, the physical sciences, linguistics, methods and tools for describing, implementing, and analyzing information processes and for managing complexity including abstraction, specification, and recursion.

The B.A. Computer Science degree is administered by a Computer Science B.A. Committee, composed of faculty from the College and the Computer Science Department. The B.A. Committee is responsible for the B.A. curriculum, student advising, and deciding on exceptions to the major requirements.

After declaring the major, students are assigned two advisors: a primary advisor from the Computer Science Department (who will be the contact point for approval signatures) and a secondary advisor from Arts and Sciences.

Major Subject Requirements

Gateway Courses

CS 150 - Ada and Euclid to Quantum Computing and the World Wide Web Credits: 3
CS 201K - Software Development Methods Credits: 3

Core Courses

The following core courses are long-standing, regularly offered courses. After completing CS 201K, CLAS Computer Science students will have comparable background to the SEAS CS majors entering these 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. The list of approved courses will initially comprise current Computer Science courses at the 300-level or above. Additional courses will be added to the list of approved computing electives based on approval by the B.A. Committee.

CS 302 - Discrete Mathematics II Credits: 3
CS 305 - HCI in Software Development Credits: 3
CS 333 - Computer Architecture 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 432 - Algorithms 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 - Translation Systems 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 selected with the approval of the student’s advisor from the list of computing-related courses approved by the B.A. Computer Science Committee. 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 maintained by the B.A. Computer Science Committee and is available from the B.A. Computer Science website: 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.