Undergraduate Info

Pre-Major Requirements

Degree and Major Requirement Checklist (PDF)

All students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, including transfer students, are initially placed into pre-Computer Science (PRCS) status. The pre-major serves as an opportunity for both the CS faculty and the pre-CS student to gauge preparation for more advanced courses, and allows students to assess whether this program is an appropriate fit for their skills and goals. Changing to major status is competitive and requires formal application and admission to the BS program.

Work closely with your pre-major advisor to ensure you are making satisfactory progress toward major admission. You are required, at minimum, to attend an advising meeting during your first semester as a pre-major.

At minimum, pre-major students must complete the following coursework prior to applying to the CS major.

Major Admission Requirements

1. Programming course requirements:

Minimum coursework to complete:
CSC127A (4) and C SC 127B (4) Introduction to Computer Science
or C SC227 (4) Program Design and Development
or C SC127A (4) and C SC227 (4) (C SC127A and 127B) or (C SC227)
At least one programming course must be completed at the UA.
Students who have transferred in credit for C SC127A and 127B or C SC227 must complete C SC335 , or other courses as approved by the advisor, at the UA, prior to applying for the major.

2. Mathematics course requirements:

Minimum coursework to complete:
- MATH 124 (5) Calculus I with Applications
  or MATH 125 (3) Calculus I
- MATH 129 (3) Calculus II
  or C SC245 (4) Introduction to Discrete Structures
At least one of the math classes listed above must be completed at the UA.
Students who have transferred in credit for all of these courses must complete MATH 215 or C SC 345 , or other courses as approved by the advisor, at the UA prior to applying to the major.

"Guaranteed Admission" criteria (ALL of the following must be satisfied):

Minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA at the UA
Completion of minimum programming and math course requirements
Grades of A or B in ALL computer science and math courses (calculus and higher) taken at the UA or elsewhere
Completion of at least 24 units at the UA is required. However, students with fewer than 24 units who have otherwise completed all of the course and grade requirements are still strongly encouraged to apply to be considered for early admission.

Students should apply for admission to the major as soon as possible after finishing the programming and mathematics pre-major work if they meet these "Guaranteed Admission Criteria.

Questions about admission criteria

If you do not meet the guaranteed admission criteria, consult with an academic advisor on how to proceed. The Undergraduate Program Committee will review all applications and consider extenuating circumstances, but there is no guarantee of admission. If you do not meet the guaranteed admission criteria, do not continue to take classes on the assumption that admission will follow.

Application Process

Complete and submit the online application form at the appropriate time. Applications are accepted in Spring and Fall during specific application periods that are announced on the pre-CS listserv and on this page. Applications are not accepted on a rolling basis.
If you do not meet the guaranteed admission criteria described above, you will need to include a narrative (no longer than a page) explaining what factors influenced your academic performance.