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Undergraduate Degrees

Minor in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering makes available an opportunity to pursue a course of study leading to a minor in computer science. The minor provides a basic foundation in computer science through a three-course core and two CS electives. The core provides an introduction to computer science concepts and problem solving techniques. Electives offer flexibility to integrate your computer science studies with your major area or individual interests. All undergraduate students, except computer science and computer engineering majors, are eligible. The requirements are:

1. Core: CSE 131, CSE 132 and CSE 241
2. CSE Electives: Any two CSE courses with a T, S, M, or A suffix. (CSE 240 and CSE 200 also count.)

Declaration must be approved in writing by the students academic advisor, the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and the dean of the students major school. The minor can be declared any time after selection of the specific courses to be taken. The declaration form is available from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering or from the deans office of the students major school. You may also want to contact faculty who can offer insights into specific fields applicable to the minor.

Minor in Bioinformantics
a joint program of Department of Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences

Mindful of the emerging opportunities at the interface of biology and computer science, the Departments of Biology and of Computer Science and Engineering are sponsoring a Bioinformatics Minor that will serve students from both departments, as well as other students from the natural sciences and engineering with an interest in this field.

The Bioinformatics Minor requires six or seven courses (20-24 units) as described below:

1. Core: Bio 280, DNA Workshop (4u), OR Bio 2960 (4u) plus Bio 2970 (4u), Math 320, Elementary Probability and Statistics (3u), OR ESE 326, Probability and Statistics for Engineering (3u), CSE 131, Computer Science I (4u), CSE 241, Algorithms and Data Structures (3u)
2. Advanced Biology Electives: Bio 3492 Laboratory Experiments with Eukaryotic Microbes (3u), Bio 4181 Population Genetics (3u), Bio 4342 Research Explorations in Genomics (4u), Bio 437 Laboratory on DNA Manipulation (4u)
3. CSE Electives: CSE 584A Algorithms for Biosequence Comparison (3u), CSE 587A Algorithms for Computational Biology (3u), Bio 5495 Computational Molecular Biology (3u)

It is anticipated that for those students majoring in Biology or CSE, some portion of the introductory sequence will overlap with courses required for the major, and these courses will be applicable to both the major and the minor. All upper level courses in Biology and CSE used to fulfill the minor may not be used to fulfill another major or minor in Arts and Sciences. A minimum grade of C- is required for all courses to count towards the minor.

Note: Bio 280, DNA Workshop, will provide students with the grounding in molecular biology (DNA, RNA, proteins) and Mendelian genetics that will enable them to participate in the upper level courses in the bioinformatics minor. Bio 280 is not appropriate for biology majors or pre-med students, but is designed to serve the needs of students in the physical sciences, math, or engineering who wish to pursue this minor. Students from the humanities, social sciences, and business are also welcome in this course. Students will be expected to earn a minimum grade of B in Bio 280 (or the Bio 2960-2970 sequence) to advance in the minor. Permission of the instructor will be required to use this course to satisfy the prerequisites for upper level biology courses to insure that this standard has been met satisfactorily. Sarah Elgin (Biology) and Jeremy Buhler (Computer Science) currently serve as advisors for the minor.

Second Major in Computer Science

Students earning a degree in another division can earn a second major in computer science by completing the requirements as listed below. It is not necessary to complete other distribution requirements of the School of Engineering for the second major.

1. Core (5 courses): CSE 131, CSE 132, CSE 240 (or Math 310), CSE 241, and CSE 332S.  Each of these core courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better.
2. Electives (5 courses): Any five (5) additional CSE courses with an S, T, M, or A suffix
3. Calculus: Math 131 (or Math 121-122)
4. Probability: ESE 326 (or Math 320 or QBA 120-121)
5. Capstone: An additional 6 units of coursework (or independent study) at the 300-level or higher with a significant computational component

A second major in computer science can expand your career options and is ideal for a student pursuing a degree in a field with limited employment opportunities or for interdisciplinary study in areas such as cognitive science, computational biology, chemistry, physics, philosophy, and linguistics. The second major option is also well-suited for students planning careers in medicine, law, business, architecture, and fine arts.  You may want to contact faculty who can offer insights into specific fields applicable to the second major.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a Major in Computer Science

The most flexible degree option in computer science is the Bachelor of Science (BS). If you want a solid background for a career in computer science, with additional flexibility to choose a well-rounded variety of courses, then a BS could be the right choice. The degree requires 120 units, including six core courses and eight electives.

1. Core: CSE 131, CSE 132, CSE 240, CSE 241, and CSE 332S, CSE 422S or CSE 431S or CSE 425S
2. CSE electives: Any eight (8) additional CSE courses with an S, T, M, or A suffix
3. Calculus: Math 131-132-233 or 141-142
4. Probability: Math 320 or ESE 326 or the sequence QBA 120-121
5. Science: Any eight (8) units (2-3 courses) in a natural science or psychology
6. Writing: EP 310 and the EComp requirement
7. Humanities and Social Sciences: 18 units total, with at least 6 units in the humanities and at least 6 in the social sciences. Additional distribution requirements apply to these units.
8. Additional requirements: At least 30 units at the 300-level or higher must be SEAS courses. Among the 120 units counted toward the degree, at least 42 must be at the 300-level or higher.

Because it has fewer specific course requirements than the BSCS and does not require the SEAS common studies, the BS degree program leaves time for you to select courses according to your particular needs and interests. Also, the BS works well if you want to complete another major along with computer science.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) is the traditional computer science degree in the School of Engineering. If you are planning a career in computer science and want a degree with an engineering flavor, then a BSCS may be the right choice. The degree requries 120 units, including a set of eight core courses and six electives that provide a broad CS background.

1. Core: CSE 131, CSE 132, CSE 240, CSE 241, CSE 332S, and CSE 436S or CSE 260M or CSE 361S or CSE 422S or CSE 431S or CSE 425S
2. CS electives: Any six (6) additional CS courses with an S, T, M, or A suffix. These courses must include at least one from theory (T), at least one from systems (S), and at least one from either machines (M) or applications (A).
3. Mathematics: Math 131-132-233 or 141-142, Math 217, ESE 317, and ESE 326
4. Science: Physics 117A-118A and Chemistry 111A-151
5. Writing: EP 310 and the EComp requirement
6. Humanities and Social Sciences: 18 units total, with at least 6 units in the humanities and at least 6 in the social sciences
7. Additional requirements: An additional engineering course from an approved list. At least 30 units at the 300-level or higher must be SEAS courses.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.Co.E.)

To receive the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, you must

1. complete a minimum of 120 credit units
2. satisfy the general requirements of the School for professional degrees
3. complete 42 units of required courses (listed below), each with a grade of C- or better
4. complete 21 units of technical electives, of which at least 15 units must be from the preferred list in the table and up to 6 units may be from the accepted list in the table below.

To help unergraduate students plan their courses throughout their college career, a suggested curriculum is available to recommend when to take the courses outlined on this page.

Required Courses

CSE 131 Computer Science I (formerly CS 101G)	4 units
CSE 132 Computer Science II (formerly CS 102G)	4 units
CSE 241 Algorithms and Data Structures (formerly CS 241)	3 units
ESE 102 Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering (formerly EE 250)	3 units
CSE 260M Introduction to Digital Logic and Computer Design (formerly CS/EE 260M)	3 units
ESE 230 Introduction to Electrical Networks (formerly EE 280)	3 units
ESE 232 Introduction to Electronic Circuits (formerly EE 290)	3 units
CSE 361S Introduction to Systems Software (formerly CS 306)	3 units
ESE 317 Engineering Mathematics (formerly SSM 317)	4 units
ESE 326 Engineering Probability (formerly SSM 326)	3 units
CSE 362M Computer Architecture (formerly CS/EE 362M)	3 units
CSE 465M Digital Systems Laboratory (formerly EE 455)	3 units
CSE 462M Computer Systems Design (formerly CS/EE 462M)	3 units
Total	42 units

Technical Electives

There are 21 units of technical electives required of computer engineering students.  At least 15 units must be completed from the following preferred list:

Up to 6 units may be completed from the following accepted list:

With permission of the program director, certain graduate courses may be applied to the technical electives requirement.