2012 - 2013

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Degree Programs
  • 2.1. Computer Science Major
    • 2.1.1. Which Computer Science Degree Should I Choose?
  • 2.2. Computer Engineering Degree
  • 2.3. Computer Science Minor
  • 2.4. Information Technology Minor
  • 2.5. Information Technology Infrastructure Degree
• 3. Application to Major
• 4. CSci Undergraduate D/D Plus Policy
• 5. Upper Division Track
• 6. Suggested 4 Year Plan
• 7. CS Requirements
• 8. Course Descriptions
• 9. Honors Program
• 10. Advising and APAS Reports
• 11. Closed Classes/First Day Policies
• 12. Academic Integrity
• 13. Disability Services
• 14. Academic Help and Survival Tips
• 15. Laboratory Policy
• 16. Student Opportunities
• 17. Graduation and Beyond
• 18. CSci Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions
• 19. Contact Information
• 20. Appendix

2.1. Computer Science Major

The Computer Science and Engineering Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree for CSE students and a Bachelor of Arts for CLA students. For both the B.S. and B.A. all required courses must be taken A-F, and passed with a grade of C- or better. The degree check lists and a prerequisite chart later in this guide show the required courses and prerequisites.

The degree requirements contained here apply to all students who began their education at the University of Minnesota during the Fall of 2010 or after. Students who began their education at the University of Minnesota prior to Fall of 2010 have their choice of following the requirements described here or the previous requirements which can be found in the Appendix. However, the two sets of requirements cannot be mixed. It is recommended that students who enrolled at the University of Minnesota prior to Fall 2010 should contact the Undergraduate Advisor when deciding which requirements to use.

The B.S. and B.A. share many requirements, but they differ in the following ways:

• The B.S. requires two lab science courses, one of which is Physics I, the other is chosen from a list of approved lab science courses.
• The B.S. requires an upper division math elective.
• The B.S. includes a 24-credit upper division track, while the B.A. includes 12-credits of elective upper division computer science courses.
• The B.A. requires additional credits to meet the CLA requirements, including a language requirement. (More information on these credits can be obtained from the CLA advising office.)

2.1.1. Which Computer Science Degree Should I Choose?

The B.S. has credits in the upper division track allowing the student to pursue more deeply a particular area of computer science and tailor the degree to a specific area of interest. For students who are more likely to practice in an area that is highly specialized or technical, the B.S. may provide a better background. However, the B.A. includes a richer set of liberal education credits than the B.S. For application areas that involve the liberal arts, this broader background may be more appropriate.