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