Undergraduate Info
Overview
Welcome to the Computer Science Department at the University of Arizona!
Computer Science is an exciting field with tremendous opportunities now and in the future as technology expands through all areas of our lives, both at home and at work. Our program is fairly traditional offering a solid foundation in programming, data structures, programming languages, systems, and theory to prepare students to either continue their studies in graduate school or enter the workforce. Additionally, our faculty have a variety of research interests and offer classes related to their research and offer research opportunities for undergraduates.
Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science, including transfer students, are initially admitted to the University of Arizona as pre-Computer Science (PRCS) majors until they have successfully completed the required pre-CS courses. Changing to CS major status requires formal application usually in a student's third semester. Admission to the major is based on a student's performance overall while in pre-major status and all students who meet the requirements described under “Admission to the Major” are admitted. Students who don't meet one or more requirements may still be admitted, but on a case-by-case basis depending on their particular situations.
In addition to regular course requirements, we strongly encourage students to have a minor or a second major. The study of computer science for its own sake is extremely valuable and rewarding, but having knowledge of another discipline opens up new areas in which to apply computing. Popular minors over the last few years have been math, linguistics, business, Japanese, music, among numerous others – it is really dependent on each student's interest.
If a student is potentially interested in going on to graduate school then they are strongly encouraged to become involved in research. Each fall semester a one-credit seminar C SC 296/496 is offered in which faculty talk about aspects of their research and how undergraduates can become involved. This is a great way to find out what research is about and what current research topics are in our department.
Many of our lower level courses have large lecture meetings and smaller weekly discussion sections led by undergraduate section leaders. Section leaders work closely with a course instructor preparing section materials and homework and in grading student work. Selection is competitive and students may apply for these paid positions once they have completed either C SC 127B or C SC 227. Being a section leader provides experiences in verbal and written communication and in working with a variety of people. It is a great way to reinforce knowledge and discover if teaching is for you. And it looks great on a resume!
Our department is not only about courses and work!
We like to have fun and encourage students to become involved in departmental groups and activities. We have a student chapter of the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and a Women in Computer Science (WICS) group. Each of these groups has a variety of activities for all students including talks by people and alums from industry, programming competitions, and casual get togethers. Students can also get involved in the Undergraduate Student Committee to give input on the department and serve on various departmental committees. Students who are interested in the benefits of a professional organization should check out Gamma Phi Mu, the first Computer Science and Mathematics Professional Fraternity open to both male and female students who are CS majors/minors or Math majors/minors.
Again, welcome to the department! Please see the links for more information about particular topics related to our undergraduate program or contact our Academic Services office at 520-621-4632 if you can't find the information you need.