Special programs

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
    • By petition to, and approval from the Bren ICS Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

    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