Program Overview
University of Florida Computer Science Program
The University of Florida's Computer Science program is designed to provide students with a broad range of disciplines, including programming languages, theory of computer science, physical science, mathematics, and software engineering. This program emphasizes the broader aspects of computer science and is less technical in depth than the computer science program in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
Program Description
The program combines the study of computer science with a liberal arts education, preparing students for employment as computing professionals while offering significant freedom to choose coursework in other areas. The major is especially popular with students who want the technical education in computer science with the flexibility to take other non-technical courses, sometimes in the form of a minor or certificate.
Requirements for the Major
This major requires a minimum of 29 credits in foundation coursework, 35 credits in core coursework, and 9 credits of major electives. Students must earn minimum grades of C in coursework for the major. An exit interview is required in the student's last semester.
- Required Foundational Coursework:
- ENC 3246: Professional Communication for Engineers
- or ENC 2210: Technical Writing
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- MAC 2312: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MAC 2313: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- MAS 4105: Linear Algebra 1
- or MAS 3114: Computational Linear Algebra
- Select one:
- PHY 2048 and 2048L: Physics with Calculus 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2048
- PHY 2053 and 2053L: Physics 1 and Laboratory for PHY 2053
- Select one:
- PHY 2049 and 2049L: Physics with Calculus 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2049
- PHY 2054 and 2054L: Physics 2 and Laboratory for PHY 2054
- STA 3032: Engineering Statistics
- Required Computing Core Coursework:
- COP 3502C: Programming Fundamentals 1
- COP 3503C: Programming Fundamentals 2
- COT 3100: Applications of Discrete Structures
- COP 3530: Data Structures and Algorithm
- Required Major Core Coursework:
- CDA 3101: Introduction to Computer Organization
- CEN 3031: Introduction to Software Engineering
- CIS 4301: Information and Database Systems 1
- CIS 4914: Senior Project
- or EGN 4952: Integrated Product and Process Design 2
- COP 4020: Programming Language Concepts
- COP 4533: Algorithm Abstraction and Design
- COP 4600: Operating Systems
- Required Major Electives: 9 credits
- Any 4000-level or higher CISE course, beyond the Core Requirements
- EEL 3701C: Digital Logic and Computer Systems
- EEL 4712C: Digital Design
- EEL 4713C: Digital Computer Architecture
- EEL 4744C: Microprocessor Applications
- EGN 4951: Integrated Product and Process Design 1
- EGN 4912: Engineering Directed Independent Research
- CIS 4940: Practical Work (advisor approval, 1 credit, repeatable up to 3 credits)
- CIS 4949: Co-Op Work in CISE (advisor approval, 1 credit, repeatable up to 3 credits)
- CIS 4905: Individual Study in CISE
Student Learning Outcomes
The program is designed to help students achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics and science to computer science problems.
- Design a computing system, component, or process, analyzing and interpreting the data.
- Use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computer science practice.
- Design a computing system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, and health and safety constraints.
- Identify, formulate and solve computer science problems.
- Communicate technical data and design information effectively in writing, in speech, and in multidisciplinary teams to other computer scientists.
Curriculum Map
The curriculum map outlines the courses that introduce, reinforce, and assess each of the student learning outcomes.
- CDA 3101: Introduced in SLO 1, Reinforced in SLO 3, SLO 4, and SLO 5
- CEN 3031: Introduced and Assessed in SLO 6
- CIS 4914: Assessed in SLO 1, SLO 2, SLO 3, SLO 4, and SLO 5
- COP 3504: Introduced in SLO 3
- COP 3530: Reinforced in SLO 1, SLO 3, and SLO 5
- COP 4600: Assessed in SLO 3, Reinforced in SLO 4
- COT 3100: Introduced in SLO 1, Reinforced in SLO 3
- COT 4501: Assessed in SLO 1, Introduced and Assessed in SLO 2, Reinforced in SLO 5
Assessment Types
The program uses a variety of assessment types to evaluate student learning, including:
- Written assignments
- Exams
- Oral reports/presentations
- Exit survey
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has additional degree requirements that students must complete, including:
- General Education Composition requirement
- Foreign Language Proficiency requirement
- Distribution Requirements
- Summer enrollment requirement
- Quest requirements
Critical Tracking
The program has a critical tracking system that monitors student progress in the major. Students must complete the following critical tracking courses by the end of the specified semester:
- Semester 1: MAC 1147 or MAC 2311, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 2: MAC 2311, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 3: MAC 2312, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 4: MAC 2313, PHY 2053/PHY 2053L or PHY 2048/PHY 2048L, 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 5: COP 3502C or COP 3504C, PHY 2054/PHY 2054L or PHY 2049/PHY 2049L, 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 6: COP 3503C or COP 3504C, COT 3100, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 7: COP 3530, 2.0 UF GPA required
- Semester 8: COP 4600, 2.0 UF GPA required
Plan of Study Grid
The plan of study grid outlines the recommended course sequence for the major.
- Semester One:
- Quest 1
- COP 3502C: Programming Fundamentals 1
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1
- State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement
- Semester Two:
- COP 3503C: Programming Fundamentals 2
- COT 3100: Applications of Discrete Structures
- MAC 2312: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- Select one: PHY 2048 and 2048L or PHY 2053 and 2053L
- Semester Three:
- CDA 3101: Introduction to Computer Organization
- COP 3530: Data Structures and Algorithm
- MAC 2313: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- Select one: PHY 2049 and 2049L or PHY 2054 and 2054L
- Semester Four:
- Quest 2
- CEN 3031: Introduction to Software Engineering
- CIS 4301: Information and Database Systems 1
- ENC 2210 or ENC 2256 or ENC 3246: Technical Writing or Writing in the Disciplines or Professional Communication for Engineers
- MAS 3114 or MAS 4105: Computational Linear Algebra or Linear Algebra 1
- Semester Five:
- COP 4600: Operating Systems
- STA 3032: Engineering Statistics
- CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1
- Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Semester Six:
- COP 4020: Programming Language Concepts
- COP 4533: Algorithm Abstraction and Design
- CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 1
- Gen Ed Humanities
- Semester Seven:
- Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Gen Ed Humanities
- Major electives
- Elective (or CLAS Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement if 4-3-3 language option)
- Semester Eight:
- CIS 4914: Senior Project
- Major elective
- Electives
- Gen Ed Biological Sciences
Total Credits
The total credits required for the major are 120.