Department of Computer Science
1210 Siebel Center
201 North Goodwin Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-4428
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
This curriculum is offered by the Department of Computer Science for
students seeking a broad and deep knowledge of the theory, design,
and application of digital computers and information processing techniques.
The first two years are spent on basic work in mathematics, physics,
and an introduction to the fundamental areas of computer science:
programming, the organization of digital machines, hardware, numerical
analysis, and theory of computation. The third year completes the
work in basic computer science and requires electives to broaden the
background of the student. During the fourth year, the student is
encouraged to deepen his or her understanding of topics of particular
interest and ability. In addition, each student is required to complete
an "application sequence," which consists of a sequence
of courses in an area of the student's interest outside computer science
to which computers may be applied.
The Department of Computer Science has proposed a significant revision
of its curriculum. The new version is likely to apply to students
who begin their matriculation on or after Fall 2004. For those students,
the following should be read only as a general description of the
goals of the curriculum and the courses offered; the department's
website should be consulted for curriculum details.
Educational Objectives and Outcomes
The Department of Computer Science strives to provide students with
a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of computers and computation
and a deep knowledge of software systems construction. We feel that
students should also gain a grounding in some area of application
of computers, and a sense of the responsibilities and ethical demands
of the computing professions. Considerable importance is placed on
keeping up-to-date both our courses and our lab equipment. A faculty
consisting of top researchers ensures that courses are at once intellectually
challenging, timely, and authoritative.
Given these objectives, the department has adopted a set of educational
outcomes that we expect each student to have achieved by the time
of graduation. Above all, students should leave our program with the
fundamental knowledge and study skills that will enable them to be
lifelong learners: in a field of constant growth and change, this
is essential. We expect graduates to be able to think clearly and
precisely about computational problems and to be able to apply their
knowledge of mathematics, computer engineering, software engineering,
and application areas to the solution of these problems. Students
should learn how to work productively in a team environment, and should
possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Finally,
they should gain a general knowledge of contemporary issues in our
society and should understand the role of the computer professional
and the importance of professional integrity and ethics. We continually
monitor our success in achieving these desired educational outcomes
through various methods and seek ways to improve our educational programs.
We believe that these objectives and outcomes are consistent with
the requirements of the Computer Science Computing Accreditation Commission
of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Review of Academic Progress
Each student's progress is reviewed after the student completes 30
hours of technical (MATH, CS, ECE) courses; this will normally be
at the end of the sophomore year, as shown in the schedule below.
At that time, the student must have a combined grade-point average
in those courses of 2.25 to qualify for registration in CS classes
in the following semester. A student who does not qualify may transfer
to another department or seek a waiver of the requirement from the
Director of Undergraduate Programs in CS.
To graduate in the computer science curriculum, a student must have
a 2.0 technical grade-point average including the following courses:
- All computer science courses
- ECE 205, 206
- MATH 220, 230, and 242 or 243; or MATH 235 and 245
- MATH 225 or 415
- MATH 385 or 441
- MATH 461/STAT 451 or MATH 463/STAT 400
Furthermore, if a student's technical GPA falls below 2.0 at any time,
the student will be placed on probation. The curriculum requires 128
hours for graduation.
Suggested Sequence
Differing backgrounds and interests preclude the construction of a
single schedule that will fit all students. The following is a typical
schedule for a student entering the CS department as a freshman with
no AP credit.
First year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CHEM 102—General Chemistry
I |
| 1 |
CHEM 103—General Chemistry
Lab I |
| (1) |
CS 100—Freshman Orientation
in CS1 |
| 0 |
ENG 100—Engineering Lecture |
| 5 |
MATH 220—Calculus I |
| 4-2 |
RHET 105—Principles of Composition
or CS 173—Discrete Structures2 |
| 3 |
Electives |
| 16-14 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 4 |
CS 125—Intro to Computer Science |
| 2-4 |
CS 173—Discrete Structures
or RHET 105 (RHET 105)—Principles of Composition2 |
| 3 |
MATH 230—Calculus II |
| 4 |
PHYS 211—Univ Physics, Mechanics
|
| 3 |
Electives |
| 16-18 |
Total |
Second year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 4 |
CS 225—Data Structure &
Softw Prin |
| 3 |
CS 273—Intro to Theory of Computation |
| 3 |
MATH 242—Calculus of Several
Variables |
| 4 |
PHYS 212—Univ Physics, Elec
& Mag |
| 3 |
Electives |
| 17 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3 |
CS 231—Computer Architecture,
I |
| 2 |
MATH 225—Introductory Matrix
Theory |
| 3 |
MATH 385—Intro Differential
Equations |
| 2 |
PHYS 213—Univ Physics, Thermal
Physics3 |
| 6 |
Electives |
| 16 |
Total |
Third year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CS 232—Computer Architecture
II |
| 3 |
CS 257—Numerical Methods |
| 3 |
MATH 461—Probability Theory
I |
| 2 |
PHYS 214—Univ Physics, Quantum
Phys3 |
| 3 |
Application sequence |
| 2 |
CS 210—Ethical & Prof'l
Issues in CS |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| 3 |
CS 423—Operating Systems Design |
| 3 |
ECE 205—Intro Elec & Electr
Circuits |
| 1 |
ECE 206—Intro Elec & Electr
Ckts Lab |
| 3 |
Computer Science electives |
| 3 |
Application sequence |
| 3 |
Other electives |
| 16 |
Total |
Fourth year
| Hours |
First Semester |
| 3 |
CS 421—Programming Lang and
Compilers |
| (3) |
CS 492—Senior Project in CS,
I4 |
| 3 |
Computer science electives |
| 3 |
Application sequence |
| 7 |
Other electives |
| 16 |
Total |
| Hours |
Second Semester |
| (3) |
CS 493—Senior Project in CS,
II4 |
| 6 |
Computer science electives |
| 3 |
Application sequence |
| 7 |
Other electives |
| 16 |
Total |
1. This optional course is
highly recommended for freshmen, who may use it to help meet free
elective requirements.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first
year as authorized. The alternative is CS 173.
3. Either PHYS 213 or PHYS 214 may be replaced by a physical or biological
science course from an approved list available in the department.
4. This optional course, or CS 499-Senior Thesis in CS, is highly
recommended for seniors, who may use either to help meet free elective
requirements.
Overview of Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized
as follows:
| Hours |
Basic Mathematics, Science,
and general education requirements |
| 10–11 |
MATH through 242, 243, or 245—Calculus
and Analytic Geometry |
| 2–3 |
MATH 225 or 415—Linear Algebra |
| 3 |
MATH 385 or 441—Differential
Equations |
| 3–4 |
MATH 461/STAT 451 or MATH 463/STAT
400—Statistics and Probability I |
| 12 |
PHYS 211, 212, 2131,
2141 |
| 4 |
CHEM 102 and 103 |
| 4 |
RHET 105—Principles of Composition |
| 18 |
Social sciences and humanities electives |
| 0-12 |
Foreign language2 |
| 56–59 |
Subtotal |
1. Either PHYS 213 or PHYS 214 may be replaced
by a physical or biological science course from an approved list
available in the department.
2. Completion of three years of one foreign language in high school
also satisfies this requirement.
| Hours |
Computer Science Core Requirements |
| (1) |
CS 100—Freshman Orientation
in CS1 (optional) |
| 4 |
CS 125—Intro to Computer Science |
| 2 |
CS 173—Discrete Structures |
| 2 |
CS 210—Ethical & Prof'l
Issues in CS |
| 4 |
CS 225—Data Structure &
Softw Prin |
| 6 |
CS 231 and 232—Computer Architecture
I and II |
| 3 |
CS 257—Numerical Methods |
| 3 |
CS 273—Intro to Theory of Computation |
| 4 |
ECE 205 and 206—Intro Elec
& Electr Circuits and Intro Elec & Electr Ckts Lab |
| 0 |
ENG 100—Engineering Lecture |
| 28 |
Subtotal |
1. Highly recommended for beginning freshmen.
| Hours |
400-level Computer Science
Electives |
| |
At least six 400-level courses in
computer science, including: |
| 6 |
Software: both CS 421 and CS 423 |
| 3 |
Architecture: either CS 431 or CS
433 |
| 3 |
Foundations: either CS 473 or CS
475 |
| 6 |
Two more CS courses numbered 411–384
or 498 |
| 18 |
Subtotal |
| Hours |
Senior Project or Thesis1 |
| (0-6) |
CS 492-493 or 499 (optional) |
1. Highly recommended for seniors. Fulfills the
General Education Advanced Composition requirement. If not taken,
another course from the campus General Education Advanced Composition
list must be taken to satisfy the requirement.
| Hours |
Application Sequence: |
| 12 |
A sequence of courses directed toward
study of a specific problem area related to computer use. This
sequence must be taken from the list approved by the department.
Alternatively, a special sequence may be taken, provided it
is approved by the director of undergraduate programs of the
department. |
| Hours |
Free Electives |
| 4–14 |
Additional course work so that there
are at least 128 credit hours. |
Honors
For graduation with highest honors, a student must complete at least
2 hours of CS 397-Individual Study, CS 492-493-Senior Project, or
CS 499-Senior Thesis and must obtain the favorable recommendation
of those instructor(s), in addition to all other requirements of the
College of Engineering.
Software Engineering Specialization
For students interested in a career in software engineering, this
program will provide the depth and breadth necessary for satisfying
possible future software engineering accreditation requirements. It
is open to all students in the computer science curriculum. To successfully
complete this specialization, the following courses must be taken
with an overall B average:
- CS 421 and CS 423
- CS 431 or CS 433
- CS 473 or CS 475
- CS 411 and CS 425
- The courses above satisfy the 400-level computer science electives
requirement given earlier.
- CS 427 and CS 428
- Two more courses from a list of 400-level CS courses that can be found
on the department's web page.
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