Computer Science Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2024

(B.S. in Computer Science)

Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
+: CSci technical electives plus the UD math oriented requirement must equal a minimum of 23 credits total. At least 11 of the 23 credits must be from CSci courses.
±: additional science requirement may be fulfilled with Chem 1071/65, Phys 1302W, ESci 2201 (fall only, coreq Phys 1301W), Psy 3011 (prereq Psy 1001), or GCD 3022.

Note: This is a sample plan that shows the department's recommended course plan for completing this degree in four years. Alternative course options can be seen on the APAS or Catalog page.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • Additional Science Requirement± (course specific)
  • ◊ CSci 1133 Intro to Computing & Programming Concepts [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • Stat 3021 Intro to Probability and Statistics (Math 1372) [3cr]
  • ◊ CSci 2011 Discrete Structures (Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ CSci 1933 Intro to Algorithms & Data Structures (1133) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • CSci 2021 Machine Architecture & Organization (1913 or 1933) [4cr]
  • CSci 2033 Computational Linear Algebra (1103 or 1113 or 1133, Math 1371) [4cr]
  • CSci 2041 Advanced Programming Principles (1913 or 1933, 2011) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • CSci 3081W Program Design & Development (UD) [4cr]
  • CSci 4041 Algorithms & Data Structures (1913 or 1933, 2011) [4cr]
  • UD Math Oriented Requirement+ [3 or 4cr]
  • CSci 3923 Ethics in Computing (UD) [1cr] (required for those admitted Fall 2023 and after)
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • CSci 4061 Intro to Operating Systems (UD, 2021 or EE 2361) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • Technical Elective+ [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective+ (If needed to reach 23 credits) [3 or 4cr]
  • Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]
  • Open Elective (If needed to reach 120 credits) [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 120

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Math 1371, Math 1372, CSci 1133, CSci 2011, CSci 1933

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: cse.umn.edu/cs/undergraduate-guide 
Main Phone: 612-625-4002 | Main Office: Keller Hall 4-192
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Nick Hopper; cscidugs@umn.edu
Departmental Advisors: Jacquelyn Burt, Dametrius Coleman, Daliya Jokondo, & Kelly Thomas
Department Contact: csciug@umn.edu
Departmental Advising: z.umn.edu/csciadvisor
Appointments: csci.appointments.umn.edu
Major Catalog Page: https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/019627107 

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University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society