Computer Science, BA
Introduction
Please click here to see computer science department information.
The bachelor of arts (BA) in computer science (CS) degree is designed to create transformational relationships among computer science and other fields of their interest across the university. It will allow undergraduate students with interests and passion in myriad fields to complement these with contemporary computer science knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will render them immediately impactful in today's rapidly changing workforce.
Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad range of understanding in mathematics, computer software, algorithms, programming and a specialization of their choice across the CU Denver curriculum. Graduates will be able to:
- Apply algorithmic reasoning to a variety of computational problems
- Design, implement, and document solutions to needed computational problems
- Implement software systems that meet specific design requirements
- Use current tools or computing techniques to implement and evaluate programs or computer-based solutions.
- Apply computer science techniques and tools to solve problems in a chosen application area.
Program Delivery
- This is an on-campus program.
Declaring This Major
- Click here to go to information about declaring a major.
General Requirements
To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.
- CU Denver General Graduation Requirements
- CU Denver Core Curriculum
- College of Engineering, Design and Computing Graduation Requirements
- Click here for information about Academic Policies
Program Requirements
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses applying to major requirements.
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all CSCI courses attempted.
- Undergraduate students in the CSE department are required to have a personal laptop before starting 3000-level classes that satisfies the requirements listed on the CSE Laptop Requirement Website.
The BA in computer science requires 120 credits including: 24 credits of CU Denver core curriculum, 7 credits of mathematics, 8 credits of physical science, 43 credits of computer science, and 38 credits of free electives.
Take 43 credits of computer science courses including:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CU Denver Core Curriculum | ||
| Select 24 credits | 24 | |
| Computer Science Core | ||
| CSCI 1410 | Fundamentals of Computing 2 | 3 |
| CSCI 1411 | Fundamentals of Computing Laboratory 2 | 1 |
| CSCI 2312 | Object Oriented Programming 2 | 3 |
| CSCI 2421 | Data Structures and Program Design 2 | 3 |
| CSCI 2511 | Discrete Structures 2 | 3 |
| CSCI 3287 | Database System Concepts | 3 |
| CSCI 3412 | Algorithms 2 | 3 |
| CSCI 3508 | Introduction to Software Engineering | 3 |
| Computer Science (CSCI) | ||
| Select seven 3000-level courses (21 credits) not applied to the above 22 credits 1 | 21 | |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 1401 | Calculus I 2 | 4 |
| Select additional 2000+ level math course | 3 | |
| Science | ||
| Students will need to complete 8 credits (2 courses with associated labs) of natural and physical sciences with labs. A minimum of 4 credits will need to come from the CU Denver core natural and physical courses w/labs intended for science majors. | ||
| Complete a minimum of 4 credits (one set): | 4 | |
| Organisms to Ecosystems (Gen Bio) and Organisms to Ecosystems Lab (Gen Bio) | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| College Physics I and Intro Experimental Phys Lab I | ||
| General Physics I: Calculus-Based and Applied Physics Lab I | ||
| General Physics I: Calculus-Based and Intro Experimental Phys Lab I | ||
| Additional courses with associated labs that can be counted toward the science requirement to achieve 8 credits: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology | ||
| Basic Biology: Ecology and the Diversity of Life | ||
| Basic Biology: From Cells to Organisms | ||
| Core Chemistry: Chemistry for Everyday | ||
| Forensic Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences and Introduction to Environmental Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Physical Geology: Surface Processes and Physical Geology: Surface Processes Laboratory | ||
| Physical Geology: Internal Processes and Physical Geology: Internal Processes Laboratory | ||
| General Astronomy I | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| College Physics II and Intro Experimental Phys Lab II | ||
| Molecules to Cells (Gen Bio) and Molecules to Cells Lab (Gen Bio) | ||
| General Physics II: Calculus-Based and Intro Experimental Phys Lab II | ||
| General Physics II: Calculus-Based and Applied Physics Lab II | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Select for students' area of concentration | 38 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Students may apply up to 3 credits of approved CSCI internship to the CS Technical Electives requirement.
- 2
Must be completed with a C- or higher.
Please note CS courses that are not part of the BACS can be counted toward satisfying free electives. This can help with taking systems courses to prepare for the required background for some advanced CS/breadth areas of interest.
To review the Degree Map for this program, please visit our website.