Courses for nonmajors

The Computer Science & Engineering department offers a number of courses for nonmajors. This page contains a list of those courses, as well as related information:

List of CSCI courses for nonmajors

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science
  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java
  • CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers
  • CSCI 3003 - Introduction to Computing in Biology
  • CSCI 3921W - Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing
  • CSCI 4921 - History of Computing

Which course should I take?

If you are a non-computer science major interested in an introduction to computer science, consider:

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science
  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java

If you are interested in taking a computer science class to fulfill liberal education requirements, consider:

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science (fulfills the Math core requirement and Technology and Society theme)
  • CSCI 3921W - Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing (fulfills the Civic Life and Ethics theme, and is an upper level writing intensive course)

If you are a CSE student who needs to take a CSCI computing course, check with your major’s requirements and your advisor to see which of these courses you should take. It will probably be one of:

  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java
  • CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers

If you want to take a course to see if computer science might be a good major for you, but do not have any computing background, consider:

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science
  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java

If you are a computer science major, please note that none of the courses for nonmajors fulfill your CS course requirements, although they can be used as free electives (with the exception that CSCI 1001 cannot be taken by computer science or computer engineering majors. Computer science majors should see the Undergraduate Guide for a list of degree requirements).

If you are interested in the Information Technology minor, you will need to take the following two (2) courses to fulfill the computer science portion of the minor:

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science
  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java

If you are interested in a Computer Science minor, you should take CSCI required courses rather than the courses for nonmajors listed here.

If you are interested in learning how to use specific software, such as Excel, Windows, SAS, Dreamweaver, etc., see the University Technology Training Center. Many similar courses are also offered outside the University (for example, through community education).

If you are interested in other CSCI classes, see the CS&E course information page for additional course information, including a list of all CSCI courses: nonmajor, major, and graduate.

Intended audiences for courses

  • CSCI 1001 - Overview of Computer Science: any student interested in an overview of computer science
  • CSCI 1103 - Introduction to Computer Programming in Java: students with no previous programming background who are interested in an introduction to programming
  • CSCI 1113 - Introduction to C/C++ Programming for Scientists and Engineers: CSE students and other interested in learning the programming language C++
  • CSCI 3003 - Introduction to Computing in Biology: students in biology majors
  • CSCI 3921W - Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing: any student interested in learning about social, legal and ethical issues in computing.
  • CSCI 4921 - History of Computing: any student interested in the history of computing

Catalog description of CSCI courses for nonmajors

All course descriptions can be found in the course catalog.