DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major and Minor
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.
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.
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.
What can I do with this degree?
Graduates 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.
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:
» MINORS
- Game Culture and Technology
Admission, by a competitive review process, is open only to continuing students majoring in Computer Science, Informatics, Information and Computer Science, and Studio Arts. The concentration exposes advanced students to an influential and expanding sector of media culture, contemporary art and technology practice; facilitates students’ media literacy in relation to an increasingly prevalent art and entertainment form; and enables students to be critical consumers and producers of new media art and culture.
Selection Process:
Students may apply for admission no earlier than the end of their freshman year, and no later than the end of their junior year. Students will be selected by a competitive review process which occurs at the end of spring quarter. Each applicant must submit the following materials to the Program Director, c/o their School’s Student Affairs Office: (1) a written statement of purpose; (2) portfolio or project samples that demonstrate an interest in the area; and (3) transcripts of UCI and other college coursework.Applicants will be notified of the selection process outcome by the beginning of the fall quarter. A maximum of 12 students will be admitted per year in an effort to ensure access to Game Culture and Technology Laboratory research and development facilities in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Calit2, and the Institute for Software Research (ISR), all of which may be used to support student projects.
Requirements:
Students must complete a total of eight courses (32 units) from within the two schools, which may also be used to satisfy existing requirements.
- A. Three courses (12 units):
- Studio Art 135 (Gaming Studies)
- Studio Art 166 (Advanced Collaborative Projects)
- Computer Science 113/Informatics 125 (Computer Game Development)
- B. Three courses (12 units) chosen from:
- Studio Art 106 (Interactive Digital Media)
- Studio Art 110 (Interdisciplinary Digital Arts)
- Studio Art 138 (World Building)
- Studio Art 175 (Digital Art Aesthetics)
- Informatics 43 (Informatics Core Course III) or ICS 52 (Introduction to Software Engineering)
- Informatics 121 (Software Design I)
- Informatics 131 (Human-Computer Interaction)
- Informatics 132 (Project in Human-Computer Interaction and User Interfaces)
- Computer Science 112 (Computer Graphics)
- Computer Science 171 (Introduction to Artificial Intelligence)
- Computer Science 175 (Project in Artificial Intelligence)
- C. Two courses (8 units) chosen from:
- Studio Art 197 (Internship)
- Studio Art 199 (Independent Study)
- Computer Science H198 (Honors Research)
- Computer Science 199 (Individual Study)
- Informatics H198 (Honors Research)
- Informatics 199 (Individual Study)
- 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:
- A. 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;
- B. 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;
- C. A two month or longer technical internship experience in the same country as the international educational experience.
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.
- Biomedical Computing (10 courses)
- Informatics (8 courses)
- Information and Computer Science (7 courses)
- Statistics (7 courses)
» 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
- UCI SAGE (Student Achievement Guided by Experience) Scholars Program
- UCI California Teach Initiative
- UCI Washington Academic Internship Program
- UC/DC Internship Program
- UCI Administrative Intern Program
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
