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 6 credits of major electives. A student can transfer in a maximum of four courses toward required core or required major elective coursework. 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 must earn minimum grades of C in coursework for the major. An exit interview is required in the student's last semester.

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.

Placement

Students who have scored at least a 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science exam are eligible to start the programming fundamentals sequence with COP 3503. Students will need to see an advisor in the major to adjust their degree audit.

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

• Complete MAC 1147 or MAC 2311
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

• Complete MAC 2311
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

• Complete MAC 2312
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

• Complete MAC 2313; and PHY 2053/PHY 2053L or PHY 2048/PHY 2048L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

• Complete COP 3502; and PHY 2054/PHY 2054L or PHY 2049/PHY 2049L
• 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

• Complete COP 3503 and COT 3100  
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

• Complete COP 3530
• 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

• Complete COP 4600
• 2.0 UF GPA required

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.

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

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

Communication

6. 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

Assessment Types

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