Computer Science Four-Year Plan
Revised 12/2023
(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 1061/65, Phys 1302W, ESci 2201 (fall only, coreq Phys 1301W), Psy 3011 (fall only, prereq Psy 1001), or GCD 3022.
Note: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263.
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 (&Math 1371) [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 (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, 2021, 2041) [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
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What can I do with a major in Computer Science?
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