Computer Science

major | UF Online

This program combines the study of computer science with a liberal arts education. It prepares students for employment as computing professionals while offering significant freedom to choose coursework in other areas. The major is especially popular with students who want the technical education in computer science with the flexibility to take other non-technical courses, sometimes in the form of a minor or certificate.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The mission of the Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering is to educate students, as well as the broader campus community, in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline; to create and disseminate computing knowledge and technology; and to use expertise in computing to help society solve problems.
Website

CONTACT

352.392.1090
Email 

P.O. Box 116120
E301 CSE BUILDING
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-6120
Map

 Curriculum

Computer science majors in CLAS take a solid foundation of core computer science courses while fulfilling requirements for a liberal arts education, including courses from the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and the study of a foreign language. Questions about the major should be directed to a department advisor.

Coursework for the Major

This major requires a minimum of 29 credits in foundation coursework, 35 credits in core coursework, and 9 credits of major electives. Students must earn minimum grades of C in coursework for the major. An exit interview is required in the student's last semester.

A student can request to transfer in a maximum of four courses toward required core Computer Science or required Computer Science elective coursework, dependent upon courses being deemed equivalent by the Department. Course equivalency requests should begin with the department advising office, followed by the undergraduate coordinator.

Students may opt to take COP 3504C in lieu of COP 3502C and COP 3503C. If elected, students will need to complete an additional 4 credits to complete the degree program.

Combination Degree Program

The computer science combination-degree program is a joint program between the colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences and is coordinated by the Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering.

Required Foundational Coursework
ENC 3246Professional Communication for Engineers3
or ENC 2210 Technical Writing
MAC 2311Analytic Geometry and Calculus 14
MAC 2312Analytic Geometry and Calculus 24
MAC 2313Analytic Geometry and Calculus 34
MAS 4105Linear Algebra 13-4
or MAS 3114 Computational Linear Algebra
Select one:4-5
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1
Select one:4-5
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2
STA 3032Engineering Statistics3
Required Computing Core Coursework
COP 3502CProgramming Fundamentals 14
COP 3503CProgramming Fundamentals 24
COT 3100Applications of Discrete Structures3
COP 3530Data Structures and Algorithm3
Required Major Core Coursework
CDA 3101Introduction to Computer Organization3
CEN 3031Introduction to Software Engineering3
CIS 4301Information and Database Systems 13
CIS 4914Senior Project3
or EGN 4952 Integrated Product and Process Design 2
COP 4020Programming Language Concepts3
COP 4533Algorithm Abstraction and Design3
COP 4600Operating Systems3
Required Major Electives 19
Any 4000-level or higher CISE course, beyond the Core Requirements
Digital Logic and Computer Systems
Digital Design
Digital Computer Architecture
Microprocessor Applications
Integrated Product and Process Design 1
Engineering Directed Independent Research
Practical Work (advisor approval, 1 credit, repeatable up to 3 credits)
Co-Op Work in CISE (advisor approval, 1 credit, repeatable up to 3 credits)
Individual Study in CISE
Total Credits73-76
1

Students should check prerequisites when planning their major electives. Students should discuss electives with an advisor in the department. Individual study, co-op, internship, research, and special topics credits must be approved by an advisor in the department. 

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

ENC 3246, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, PHY 2049, PHY 2049L, PHY 2054, PHY 2054L, STA 3032, MAS 3114, and MAS 4105 may count towards 3000-level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
COP 3502C Programming Fundamentals 1 (Critical Tracking) 4
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
 Credits14
Semester Two
COP 3503C Programming Fundamentals 2 4
COT 3100 Applications of Discrete Structures 3
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
Select one: 4-5
Physics with Calculus 1
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
Physics 1
and Laboratory for Physics 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
 Credits15-16
Summer After Semester Two
State Core Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits9
Semester Three
CDA 3101 Introduction to Computer Organization 3
COP 3530 Data Structures and Algorithm 3
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 4
Select one: 4-5
Physics with Calculus 2
and Laboratory for Physics with Calculus 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
Physics 2
and Laboratory for Physics 2 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
 Credits14-15
Semester Four
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Biological or Social and Behavioral Science) 3
CEN 3031 Introduction to Software Engineering 3
CIS 4301 Information and Database Systems 1 3
ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers (Gen Ed Composition) 3
MAS 3114
Computational Linear Algebra
or Linear Algebra 1
3-4
 Credits15-16
Semester Five
COP 4600 Operating Systems 3
STA 3032 Engineering Statistics 3
Foreign language 4-5
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits13-14
Semester Six
COP 4020 Programming Language Concepts 3
COP 4533 Algorithm Abstraction and Design 3
Foreign language 3-5
Elective 3
 Credits12-14
Summer After Semester Six
Pursue Internship/Co-op (if desired) 0
 Credits0
Semester Seven
Gen Ed Biological Sciences OR Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences (Area not taken as Quest 2 in Semester 4) 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
Technical electives 6
Foreign language course (or elective if 4-3-3 option) 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
CIS 4914 Senior Project 3
Technical elective 3
Electives 7
 Credits13
 Total Credits120

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Computer Science program exposes students to a broad range of disciplines, including programming languages, theory of computer science, physical science, mathematics, and software engineering. Students will graduate with the ability to apply knowledge of science and mathematics to computer science problems, to design computer systems or components to satisfy users' needs, and to communicate technical information regarding computer systems to other computer scientists. This program emphasizes the broader aspects of computer science and is less technical in depth than the computer science program in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Pass assessment according to department rubric of student performance on a major design experience.
  • Pass assessment in one or more core courses or individual assignments targeted to each SLO.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Apply knowledge of mathematics and science to computer science problems.
  2. Design a computing system, component, or process, analyzing and interpreting the data.
  3. Use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computer science practice.

Critical Thinking

  1. Design a computing system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, and health and safety constraints.
  2. Identify, formulate and solve computer science problems.

Communication

  1. Communicate technical data and design information effectively in writing, in speech, and in multidisciplinary teams to other computer scientists.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6
CDA 3101 R R R R
CEN 3031 I, A
CIS 4914 A A A A A A
COP 3504 I I I
COP 3530 R R R
COP 4600 A R
COT 3100 I R
COT 4501 A I, A R

Assessment Types

  • Written assignments
  • Exams
  • Oral reports/presentations
  • Exit survey