Undergraduate degree in Information and Computer Science
DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major and Minor

photo:: computer science student

The overall field of information and computer science spans a vast spectrum of topics.

At one end, it includes computer system design and networking, detailing how modern computer hardware and networks operate on a day-to-day basis.

At the other end are human factors, such as how software should be structured to facilitate cooperative work among groups of people.

The B.S. in Information and Computer Science (ICS) provides students with a broad introduction to these topics.

In the lower division, ICS students prepare with fundamental courses in mathematics and computer science, supplemented by breadth courses from other disciplines.

In the upper division, they take courses that ensure all majors are exposed to the basic principles of programming languages, compilers, operating systems, digital logic, computer architecture, algorithms and data structures, artificial intelligence, and software engineering.

To complete their major requirements, students complement these basic introductions by choosing from a diverse set of auxiliary courses, including advanced courses exploring the above topics in more depth and courses covering such topics as computer game development, computer graphics, and expert systems.

By selecting appropriate elective courses, students may choose to complete the requirements for a specialization in one or more of six areas:

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Systems
  • Implementation and Analysis of Algorithms
  • Information Systems
  • Networks and Distributed Systems
  • Software Systems

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

Is Information and Computer Science for me?

By choosing one or more of the above specializations, ICS students will augment their education.

The choice to pursue a specialization usually occurs in the junior year, after students have gained experience with the range of possible areas in the overall field of information and computer science.

ICS can be a good choice of major for you if you are interested in any of the following areas:

Artificial Intelligence
Prepares students in both the theory and implementation of AI methods, such as expert systems, neural nets, reasoning, constraint satisfaction and machine learning.

Computer Systems
Provides in-depth knowledge on the design and development of integrated software and hardware computing systems for a number of application domains.

Implementation and Analysis of Algorithms
Provides students with a course of study that includes understanding the theoretical basis of algorithms and their analysis, as well as providing a significant practical programming experience.

Information Systems
Students will study aspects of management and organizational behavior necessary to understand how computing systems are built, adopted and maintained in companies and organizations.

Networks and Distributed Systems
Enables students to focus their studies on the rapidly expanding sub-area of computer science that deals with the design and use of systems consisting of multiple computer nodes interconnected via a communication network.

Software Systems
Enables students to focus their studies on topics related to the analysis, design, development and evolution of large-scale software systems.                 

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What do I take?

An undergraduate degree diagram for the Information and Computer Science degree is available along with information on pursuing a minor in ICS.

Major Requirements

Lower-division:

A.   ICS 21, ICS 22, ICS 23, ICS 51, ICS 52, ICS 65.

B.   Mathematics 2A, Mathematics 2B, Mathematics 6G, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, Statistics 67.

C.   ICS 60, ICS 61, ICS 62.

D.   Physics 3A.

E.   Film and Media Studies 85A-B-C.

Upper-division:

A.   Computer Game Science Core requirements: ICS 160, ICS 161, ICS 162, ICS 163, ICS 167, ICS 168, ICS 169A-B.

B.   Seven elective courses: three courses from one Bren ICS track, two courses from a second Bren ICS track, plus two courses from any Bren ICS track or non-Bren ICS track listed below.

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.

The first year of the program introduces students to fundamental concepts related to computer software design and construction.

Students learn initial design and programming skills as well as useful computer-based tools for analysis, expression, and discovery.

The second year builds up a portfolio of foundational techniques and skills that establish the discipline of Information and Computer Science.

Students begin to explore areas of specialization in the third and fourth years of the degree program.

Students may elect to complete one or more specializations within the major in Information and Computer Science.

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What can I do with this degree?

photo:: computer science studentGraduates of the Information and Computer Science major pursue a broad variety of careers.

Since students have maximum flexibility in selecting their courses, they may choose to take any set of courses that best aligns with their career goals.

Upon completing their degree our students have been hired at Pixar, IBM, Yahoo, NASA, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte, Unisys, Accenture, Merrill Lynch, Blizzard, Broadcom, and many other world-renowned organizations.

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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