Undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering

DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major
Offered jointly with The Henry Samueli School of Engineering

photo:: computer science student

The Computer Science and Engineering major gives students access to multidisciplinary problems with a focus on total systems engineering.

Students will learn the computer science principles that are critical to development of software, hardware and networking of computer systems.

From that background, engineering concepts and methods are added to give students exposure to circuit design, network design and digital signal processing.

Elements of engineering practice include the systems view, manufacturing and economic issues, and multi-disciplinary engineering applications.

This program is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of computer science, both hardware and software, and the application of engineering concepts, techniques and methods to both computer systems engineering and software system design.

› Is Computer Science and Engineering for me?
› What do I take?
› What can I do with this degree?
› Special Programs and Learning Opportunities
› Still not sure?

Is Computer Science and Engineering for me?

Graduates of the program will:

  1. establish a productive Computer Science and Engineering career in industry, government, or academia;
  2. engage in professional practice of computer systems engineering and software systems engineering;
  3. promote the development of innovative systems and solutions using hardware and software integration;
  4. promote design, research, and implementation of products and services in the field of Computer Science and Engineering through strong communication, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills.
For more information on CSE goals and objectives see http://plaza.eng.uci.edu/degree-program/cse/mission.

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What do I take?

An undergraduate degree diagram for the Computer Science and Engineering degree is available.

To better help students plan their upcoming quarters, a list of approved science elective courses* for satisfying the CSE major's science elective requirement has been made available.

*The science elective must be taken at UCI if the student is currently enrolled at UCI.

This is just one example; students may complete these courses in any order that is consistent with the prerequisites and the actual offerings each year.

Major Requirements

Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:

  • Mathematics Courses: Students must complete a minimum of 32 units of mathematics including Mathematics 2A-B, 2D, 2J, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, Mathematics 6G or 3A, and Statistics 67.
  • Basic Science Courses: Students must complete a minimum of 18 units of basic science courses including Physics 7C, 7LC; and Physics 7D and 7LD.
  • Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, two additional basic science courses needed to satisfy school and department requirements.

Engineering and Computer Topics Courses:

  • Students must complete a minimum of 72 units of engineering topics, 24 units of engineering design, and 63 units of computer topics. The following courses must be completed:
  • CSE21, CSE22, CSE23, CSE25, CSE31, CSE31L, CSE70A, CSE90, CSE104, CSE112, CSE120A, CSE121, CSE132, CSE135A, CSE135B, CSE141, CSE142, CSE151, CSE161, CSE181A-B-CW, Computer Science 145A-B or both EECS112L and EECS113, EECS148 or Computer Science 132.

Students also complete one of the following tracks with the approval of a faculty advisor:

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Graphics/Vision
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing

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What can I do with this degree?

photo:: computer science studentComputer Science and Engineering majors are involved in building the hardware infrastructure – computers, networks, embedded devices, as well as operating systems, compilers and networking software.

The focus is on cooperation between hardware and software to yield the highest performance.

Examples of such problem areas would be in traffic management, flight control, earthquake monitoring, automotive control and smart homes.

Many students also go on to graduate school, continuing their studies, conducting research, and earning graduate degrees in computer engineering, computer science, information science, management or law.

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Special Programs and Learning Opportunities

There are several ways to add depth, scope, and experiential learning to your academic program of study. An academic counselor will help you determine the most efficient way to add another major, minor, or concentration to your academic plan, and will refer you to other campus programs and resources that support your interests and future goals.

» CONCENTRATIONS:


  • Engineering and Computer Science in the Global Context

    All Bren School majors in good standing may propose an academic plan that demonstrates the ability to complete the concentration and other requirements for graduation in a reasonable timeframe.

    The globalization of the marketplace for information technology services and products makes it likely that Bren ICS graduates will work in multicultural settings or be employed by companies with extensive international operations, or customer bases. The goal of the concentration is to help students develop and integrate knowledge of the history, language and culture of a country or geographic region outside the United States, through coursework both at UCI and an international host campus, followed by a technology related internship in the host country.

    Application:
    Each student's proposed program of study, specifying coursework and a guided internship experience in a region outside the U.S., must be approved in advance by the Bren School of ICS Associate Dean for Student Affairs. It is expected that each student's proposal will reflect a high degree of planning that includes the guidance of academic counselors and those at the UCI Center for International Education regarding course selection, as well as considerations related to internship opportunities, housing and financial aid. The academic counselors and the Associate Dean will be available to assist qualified students with the development of a satisfactory academic plan, as needed.

    Requirements:
    1. A minimum of eight courses at UCI or at the international campus with an emphasis on the culture, language (if applicable and necessary), history, literature of the country that corresponds to the international portion of the program, international law, international labor policy, global issues, global institutions, global conflict and negotiation and global economics;
    2. A one or two semester sequence of technical courses related to the major and, possibly, cultural, history, and literature courses taken at an international university;
    3. A two month or longer technical internship experience in the same country as the international educational experience.
» MINORS

Students inside and outside of the Bren School of ICS may want to pursue a minor, a coordinated set of courses which together take a student well beyond the introductory level in an academic field, subject, and/or discipline. Note: Some minor requirements may be fulfilled by the student’s major requirements. Some major/minor combinations are not allowed.

» OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONORS-LEVEL STUDY

Students who are majoring in Biomedical Computing, Business Information Management, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information and Computer Science, and ICS Undeclared Pre-Majors are invited to apply for admission to the Bren School of ICS's introductory honors sequence (ICS H21/H22/H23). These courses provide a uniquely challenging and intimate learning environment in which conventional course material is explored in greater depth.

A student must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible to enroll in ICS H21:

  • Minimum 620 on each of 2 of 3 sections of the SAT; or
  • Member of the UCI Campuswide Honors Program; or
  • Verification of score of 3 or higher on AP Computer Science A exam; or

Eligible students will be provided an authorization code (required) for course enrollment at the time of their summer orientation/registration session.

» BREN SCHOOL OF ICS HONORS PROGRAM

Allows juniors and seniors majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Informatics, or Information and Computer Science to pursue advanced work in one of many research areas.

Students admitted to the program participate in an honors seminar, conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member, and write a research paper.

More information about eligibility criteria and benefits of successful completion of the honors program is available at the Honors program web site.

» INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

The School encourages all majors to take advantage of this valuable experience, and faculty advertise many research opportunities every year.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the campus Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which offers guidance and grant funding for student-proposed independent research, and sponsors programs which provide summer stipends for students working on faculty-guided research.

» CAMPUSWIDE HONORS PROGRAM

Available to selected high-achieving students from all academic majors from their freshman through senior years. For more information see the CHP web site.

» EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM

Upper-division students have the opportunity to experience different cultures while making progress toward degree objectives through the Education Abroad Program (EAP).

EAP is an overseas study program which operates in cooperation with host universities and colleges throughout the world.

» OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

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Still not sure?

Prospective and current students interested in learning more about the Bren ICS degree options are encouraged to meet with the Associate Dean, counselors and student ambassadors in the Bren ICS Student Affairs Office.

They will help you determine which of our majors and minors best support your academic strengths and interests.

CONTACT:
Bren ICS Student Affairs Office
Information and Computer Science Building I, Suite 352
Irvine, CA 92697-3430
Phone: (949) 824-5156
Email: ucounsel@uci.edu

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