All students planning to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science at UA, including transfer students, must begin by completing the CS Foundational Coursework.
If you are interested in a UA Computer Science major, please visit our Prospective Students page for more information.
At the end of every term (in May, August, and December/January), the Academic Services Office will review Computer Science major students who have completed their foundational coursework. Those students who meet the requirements for Advanced Standing will be asked to confirm their choice between a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree.
The major coursework for the BA degree in Computer Science generally takes 6-8 semesters -- including 3-4 semesters of foundational coursework, and 3-4 semesters completing the major core and additional upper division CS work.
The requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree are dependent on when you enter/entered the major:
Foundations / General Education requirements:
| Math | College Algebra (MATH 112) or higher |
| Composition | ENGL 101/102, or ENGL 101A/102, or ENGL 106/107/108, or ENGL 107/108, or ENGL 109H |
| Second Language | Fourth semester proficiency |
| Gen Ed Intro/Capstone | UNIV 101, and UNIV 301 |
| Gen Ed Exploring Perspectives | One Artist course, one Humanist course, one Natural Scientist course, and one Social Scientist course |
| Gen Ed Building Connections | Three courses |
Computer Science Major -- total of 42 units (including 21 upper-division [300/400-level]), including:
| Foundational courses (18 units) | CSC 110, CSC 120, CSC 144, CSC 210, CSC 244 |
| Major core courses (15 units [including 12 upper-division]) | CSC 252, CSC 335, CSC 345, CSC 352, CSC 380 |
| Major electives (9 units [upper-division]) | One 300/400-level CSC elective, two 400-level CSC electives |
Consult the PDF version of your UAccess advisement report to confirm which courses meet the above categories.
Minor in another area of study -- required. A minor generally includes 18-24 units, and must be approved/advised by the minor department
General electives -- as necessary, to reach the total of 120 units (including 42 units upper-division [300/400-level]) required
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The following resources may be helpful to BA students:
COSCBA checklist Spr22 or later
Sample Four Year plans based on starting Math placement can be viewed on the Undergraduate CS Advising page.
Foundations / General Education requirements:
| Math | College Algebra (MATH 112) or higher |
| Composition | ENGL 101/102, or ENGL 101A/102, or ENGL 106/107/108, or ENGL 107/108, or ENGL 109H |
| Second Language | Fourth semester proficiency |
| Tier 1 courses | Two Tier 1 Indiv & Societies courses, two Tier 1 Natural Science courses, two Tier 1 Trad & Cultures courses |
| Tier 2 courses | One Tier 2 Arts course, one Tier 2 Humanities course, one Tier 2 Indiv & Societies course, one Tier 2 Natural Science course |
Computer Science Major -- total of 42 units (including 21 upper-division [300/400-level]), including:
| Foundational courses (18 units) | CSC 110, CSC 120, CSC 144, CSC 210, CSC 244 |
| Major core courses (15 units [including 12 upper-division]) | CSC 252, CSC 335, CSC 345, CSC 352, CSC 380 |
| Major electives (9 units [upper-division]) | One 300/400-level CSC elective, two 400-level CSC electives |
Consult the PDF version of your UAccess advisement report to confirm which courses meet the above categories.
Minor in another area of study -- required. A minor generally includes 18-24 units, and must be approved/advised by the minor department
General electives -- as necessary, to reach the total of 120 units (including 42 units upper-division [300/400-level]) required
-------------------------
The following resources may be helpful to BA students:
Foundations / General Education requirements:
| Math | College Algebra (MATH 112) or higher |
| Composition | ENGL 101/102, or ENGL 101A/102, or ENGL 106/107/108, or ENGL 107/108, or ENGL 109H |
| Second Language | Fourth semester proficiency |
| Tier 1 courses | Two Tier 1 Indiv & Societies courses, two Tier 1 Natural Science courses, two Tier 1 Trad & Cultures courses |
| Tier 2 courses | One Tier 2 Arts course, one Tier 2 Humanities course, one Tier 2 Indiv & Societies course, one Tier 2 Natural Science course |
Computer Science Major -- total of 36 units (including 18 upper-division [300/400-level]), including:
| Foundational courses (15 units) | CSC 110, CSC 120, CSC 210, CSC 245 |
| Major core courses (12 units [including 9 upper-division]) | CSC 252, CSC 335, CSC 345, CSC 352 |
| Major electives (9 units [upper-division]) | One 300/400-level CSC elective, two 400-level CSC electives |
Consult the PDF version of your UAccess advisement report to confirm which courses meet the above categories.
Minor in another area of study -- required. A minor generally includes 18-24 units, and must be approved/advised by the minor department
General electives -- as necessary, to reach the total of 120 units (including 42 units upper-division [300/400-level]) required
-------------------------
The following resources may be helpful to BA students:
Degree Requirements Checksheet pre-Fall 2021
COSCBA checklist before Fall21
Program Fee
Computer Science majors are assessed a program fee each semester ($150 for majors, $375 for majors with Advanced Standing). The program fee helps to support the following CS resources:
- CS Tutor Center
- Undergraduate teaching assistants
- Career Coordinator
- Career Development Center
- Career fairs
Students demonstrating financial need via submission of the FAFSA (submitted before the first day of the semester) may qualify for the program fee scholarship award. Students awarded the program fee scholarship will have the amount credited to their student account and will be notified by a CS staff member via University of Arizona email.