Computer Science, Comprehensive Major

Computer Science, Comprehensive Major, B.S.

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements. Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CS 145Programming for New Programmers4
CS 146The Big Picture in Computer Science1
MATH 112Precalculus Mathematics4
OR
Algebra for Calculus (Winterim)
AND
Trigonometry (Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment for CS 245)
LE Options6
TOTAL15
SECOND SEMESTER
CS 245Advanced Programming and Data Structures4
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing5
OR
Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
MATH 114Calculus I4
LE Option3
TOTAL16
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CS 260Database Systems (Prerequisite for CS 355)4
MATH 215Calculus II4
PHYS 211General Physics5
OR
University Physics I
MATH 246Elementary Statistics4
OR
Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics
TOTAL17
SECOND SEMESTER
CS 252Computer Systems (Prerequisite for CS 352, 452)4
CS 268Web Systems (Spring Only)3
PHYS 212General Physics4
or PHYS 232 University Physics II
LE Option3
TOTAL14-15
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CS 335Algorithms (Prerequisite for CS 452, Fall only)3
CS 352Computer Architecture (Fall Only)3
CS 396Junior Seminar (Fall Only)1
MATH 314Discrete Mathematics3
ENGL 312Science Writing3
OR
Technical Writing
OR
Fundamentals of Speech
LE Option3
TOTAL16
SECOND SEMESTER
CS 355Software Engineering I (Spring Only)3
CS 330Programming Languages (Spring Only)3
CS Elective3
LE Options6
TOTAL15
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
CS 452Operating Systems (Prerequisite for CS 452, Fall Only)3
PHIL 308Ethics in Computing and Engineering3
CS Elective3
LE Option3
TOTAL12
SECOND SEMESTER
CS 462Computer Networks (Spring Only)3
LE Options9
TOTAL12

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs.  There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. 

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.