Program Overview

Computer Sciences, Certificate

The Computer Sciences certificate is designed to deepen and validate students' computing savvy for their future career prospects and/or graduate school. Compared to a major in Computer Sciences, the certificate requires fewer courses and offers more flexibility in course selection.

How to Get in

All undergraduate, degree-seeking students are eligible to declare the computer sciences certificate, except for students majoring in Computer Sciences or Computer Engineering.

Declaration Requirements

To declare the computer sciences certificate, students must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of COMP SCI 300
• Grade of BC or higher in one of these introductory programming courses, taken at UW-Madison: COMP SCI 300, COMP SCI/E C E 354, or COMP SCI 400

Requirements

The certificate requires five courses and at least 14 credits from the following:

Course List

• Required Course:
  • COMP SCI 300: Programming II (3 credits)
• Two courses numbered 400-679:
  • COMP SCI 400: Programming III
  • COMP SCI 407: Foundations of Mobile Systems and Applications
  • COMP SCI 412: Introduction to Numerical Methods
  • COMP SCI/I SY E/MATH 425: Introduction to Combinatorial Optimization
  • COMP SCI/E C E/MATH 435: Introduction to Cryptography
  • COMP SCI/STAT 471: Introduction to Computational Statistics
  • COMP SCI/MATH/STAT 475: Introduction to Combinatorics
  • COMP SCI/E C E 506: Software Engineering
  • COMP SCI/MATH 513: Numerical Linear Algebra
  • COMP SCI/MATH 514: Numerical Analysis
  • COMP SCI/DS/I SY E 518: Wearable Technology
  • COMP SCI 520: Introduction to Theory of Computing
  • COMP SCI/E C E/I SY E 524: Introduction to Optimization
  • COMP SCI/I SY E/MATH/STAT 525: Linear Optimization
  • COMP SCI/I SY E 526: Advanced Linear Programming
  • COMP SCI/E C E/M E 532: Matrix Methods in Machine Learning
  • COMP SCI/E C E 533: Image Processing
  • COMP SCI 534: Computational Photography
  • COMP SCI 536: Introduction to Programming Languages and Compilers
  • COMP SCI 537: Introduction to Operating Systems
  • COMP SCI 538: Introduction to the Theory and Design of Programming Languages
  • COMP SCI/E C E/M E 539: Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks
  • COMP SCI 540: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
  • COMP SCI 541: Theory & Algorithms for Data Science
  • COMP SCI 542: Introduction to Software Security
  • COMP SCI 544: Introduction to Big Data Systems
  • COMP SCI/E C E 552: Introduction to Computer Architecture
  • COMP SCI 559: Computer Graphics
  • COMP SCI/E C E 561: Probability and Information Theory in Machine Learning
  • COMP SCI 564: Database Management Systems: Design and Implementation
  • COMP SCI 565: Introduction to Data Visualization
  • COMP SCI 566: Introduction to Computer Vision
  • COMP SCI/B M I 567: Biomedical Image Analysis
  • COMP SCI 570: Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
  • COMP SCI 571: Building User Interfaces
  • COMP SCI/B M I 576: Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • COMP SCI 577: Introduction to Algorithms
  • COMP SCI/DS 579: Virtual Reality
  • COMP SCI 640: Introduction to Computer Networks
  • COMP SCI 642: Introduction to Information Security
  • COMP SCI 639: Undergraduate Elective Topics in Computing
• Two additional courses, chosen from courses numbered 400-679 (above) or:
  • COMP SCI/MATH 240: Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
  • COMP SCI/E C E 252: Introduction to Computer Engineering
  • COMP SCI/E C E 352: Digital System Fundamentals
  • COMP SCI 310: Problem Solving Using Computers
  • COMP SCI 320: Data Science Programming II
  • COMP SCI/E C E 354: Machine Organization and Programming

Residence and Quality of Work

• At least 7 Certificate credits must be completed in Residence
• Minimum 2.000 GPA on all COMP SCI and Certificate courses

Undergraduate/Special Student Certificate

This certificate is intended to be completed in the context of an undergraduate degree. For students who have substantially completed this certificate at UWMadison and may need one or two courses to complete the certificate, they may do so immediately after completion of the bachelors degree by enrolling in the course as a University Special (nondegree) student. The certificate must be completed within a year of completion of the bachelors degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognize and apply the core principles of Computing (abstractions and algorithms) to solve real-world problems.
2. Use fundamental and detailed knowledge, skills, and tools (e.g., specific algorithms, techniques methods, etc.) of computer science and develop the ability to acquire new knowledge, skills, and tools.
3. Design, implement, and evaluate software in multiple programming paradigms and languages.
4. Solve problems by applying a broad toolbox of knowledge and techniques.

Advising and Careers

Advising

The undergraduate coordinators in the Department of Computer Sciences are ready to help students with questions about the certificate, L&S degree requirements, and policy, and course selection.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students turn the academic skills learned in their classes into a fulfilling life, guiding them every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.