DONALD BREN SCHOOL OF INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCES
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Concentration in Game Culture and Technology
Concentration in Engineering and Computer Science in the Global Context
Undergraduate Major and Courses in Information and Computer Science
Department of Computer Science
Undergraduate Major in Business Information Management
Undergraduate Major in Computer Science and Engineering
A Bren School of ICS undergraduate education is a blend of scholarship, science, technology, and practical application that forms an excellent foundation for professional life.
The basis of the undergraduate program is a set of fundamental courses in mathematics and computer science, supplemented by general education courses from other academic disciplines. A premium is placed on both communication and quantitative skills. Students start early with hands-on experience with advanced computing systems, and intense use of computer and network technologies continues throughout the undergraduate program. Students study data organization, algorithm design and analysis, design and organization of hardware and network systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, social aspects of system design and use, and management of technology. In the process, students work with state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies, and learn several contemporary programming languages.
The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers five majors: Business Information Management (BIM), offered jointly with The Paul Merage School of Business; Computer Science (CompSci); Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), offered jointly with The Henry Samueli School of Engineering; Informatics, and Information and Computer Science (ICS). There are also programs of study leading to minors in Informatics, Information and Computer Science, and Statistics.
B.S. in Business Information Management. The undergraduate Business Information Management (BIM) major seeks to educate students to understand and apply the theories and concepts of a broad, integrated curriculum covering computing (computer science, informatics, and software); business fundamentals (accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, and operations); and analytical methods (mathematics, statistics, economics, management science, and decision analysis). The fundamentals of information and computer science provide the foundation for understanding and evaluating the technology through which most of the business information is gathered and presented, while the business fundamentals provide a background and context in which information and its analysis will be applied. The major is administered by the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and is a collaborative, interdisciplinary degree program between the Bren School and The Paul Merage School of Business. See the Catalogue's Interdisciplinary Studies section.
B.S. in Computer Science. The Computer Science (CS) major provides students with an education that focuses on the design and implementation of computer systems and the software that runs them as well as the application of these tools to solve complex problems. Additionally, students may take a variety of courses to broaden their knowledge and/or specialize in particular areas. For instance, the major is well-suited for a more in-depth study of topics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced data structures, computer graphics, cryptography and security, computational biology, embedded systems, networked systems, database systems, and computer games.
B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering. This program is designed to provide students with the fundamentals of computer science, both hardware and software, and the application of engineering concepts, techniques, and methods to both computer systems engineering and software system design. The Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) major gives students access to multidisciplinary problems in engineering with a focus on total systems engineering. Students learn the computer science principles that are critical to development of software, hardware, and networking of computer systems. From that background, engineering concepts and methods are added to give students exposure to circuit design, network design, and digital signal processing. Elements of engineering practice include a systems view, manufacturing and economic issues, and multidisciplinary engineering applications. The program is administered jointly by the Department of Computer Science in the Bren School of ICS and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering. See the Catalogue's Interdisciplinary Studies section.
B.S. in Informatics. Within the overall discipline of information and computer science, the Informatics major is concerned with the relationship between what is inside the computer and what is outside. The Informatics major addresses the broad set of issues surrounding design, ranging from initial requirements gathering to estimating and measuring the impact of alternative solutions—all from a multidisciplinary perspective that includes computer science, information science, organizational science, social science, and cognitive science. Students pursuing the B.S. in Informatics complete a specialization in one of three areas: software engineering, human-computer interaction, and organizations and information technology.
B.S. in Information and Computer Science. The overall field of information and computer science spans a vast spectrum of topics. At the one end, it includes computer system design and networking, detailing how modern computer hardware and networks operate on a day-to-day basis. At the other end are human factors, such as how software should be structured to facilitate cooperative work among groups of people. The B.S. in Information and Computer Science (ICS) provides students with a broad introduction to these topics. Through the selection of elective courses, students may choose to specialize in one or more of seven areas: artificial intelligence, computer systems, implementation and analysis of algorithms, information systems, networks and distributed systems, optimization, or software systems.
Students majoring in Business Information Management may not double major in Business Administration nor minor in Management, Informatics, or Information and Computer Science.
The major in Computer Science (CS) cannot be combined with the major in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).
The major in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) cannot be combined with the major in Computer Engineering (offered by The Henry Samueli School of Engineering).
The major or minor in Information and Computer Science (ICS) cannot be combined with the majors in Computer Science (CS), Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), or Informatics.
Bren School of ICS majors may not minor in Informatics.
Students who have completed both ICS 21 and 22 with grades of C or better and who wish to change majors to Informatics may use ICS 21 and 22 in satisfaction of the requirements of Informatics 41 and 42, and similarly with ICS 52 and Informatics 43.
Students who have completed both Informatics 41 and 42 with grades of C or better and who wish to change majors to Computer Science or Information and Computer Science may use Informatics 41 and 42 in satisfaction of the requirement of ICS 21 and 22, and similarly with Informatics 43 and ICS 52.
Students enrolled in other degree programs who are interested in the field of computer science may pursue the introductory course sequences (ICS 21 and 22 or Informatics 41 and 42) followed by other courses (such as ICS 23 or Informatics 43) as far as their interests require and their programs permit. The introductory courses, along with most of the lower-division ICS courses for nonmajors, may be used to fulfill a General Education requirement. Nonmajors may also take other Bren ICS courses for which they have met the prerequisites.
The ICS Student Affairs Office is staffed by professional academic counselors and peer advisors. These individuals are available to assist students with program planning, questions on University and School policies and procedures, progress toward graduation, and other issues that arise in the course of a student's education. Faculty also are available for advising, generally for suggestions of additional course work in the student's academic, research, and career interest areas and on preparation for graduate school.
Honors
Honors at graduation, e.g., cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, are awarded to approximately the top 12 percent of the graduating seniors. A general criterion is that a student must have completed at least 72 units in residence at the University of California. The student's cumulative record at the end of the final quarter is the basis for consideration of awarding Latin Honors. Other important factors are considered (see "Honors Recognition" in the Honors Opportunities information in the Division of Undergraduate Education section).
CAREERS
Graduates of the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences pursue a variety of careers. Many graduates specify, design, and develop a variety of computer-based systems comprised of software and hardware in virtually every application domain, such as aerospace, automotive, biomedical, consumer products, engineering, entertainment, environmental, finance, investment, law, management, manufacturing, and pharmacology. Graduates also find jobs as members of research and development teams, developing advanced technologies, designing software and hardware systems, and specifying, designing, and maintaining computing infrastructures for a variety of institutions. Some work for established or start-up companies while others work as independent consultants. After a few years in industry, many move into management or advanced technical positions. Many students also use the undergraduate major as preparation for graduate study in computer science or another field (e.g., medicine, law, engineering, management).
ADMISSIONS
To ensure admission consideration for the fall quarter, students should be sure to file their application by November 30 of the prior year. The selection criteria include grades, test scores, and other considerations.
Transfer Student Policy
Transfer requirements vary by major. See the department sections.
NOTE TO TRANSFER APPLICANTS: These majors require a series of lower-division courses, and prerequisites constrain the order in which they can be taken. Junior-level transfer students who must complete a significant part of this sequence may find that it will take longer than two years at UCI to complete their degree. Java is used extensively in the curriculum; therefore, transfer students should plan to learn it by studying on their own or by completing a Java-related programming course prior to their first quarter at UCI.
Change of Major
Students interested in changing their major to one offered by the School should contact the ICS Student Affairs Office for more information and assistance. Information is also available at http://www.changeofmajor.uci.edu.
Major and minor restrictions: See above.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND COURSES
Bren School of ICS Introductory Honors Courses
For selected incoming freshmen majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information and Computer Science, the Bren School offers an honors introductory sequence (ICS H21-H22-H23). The courses are limited to 30 students, and provide a uniquely challenging and intimate learning environment in which to cover conventional course material in greater depth and scope. Participation is by invitation or application; information is provided during summer advising workshops.
The Bren School of ICS Honors Program
The Bren School of ICS Honors Program provides selected upper-division students an opportunity to carry out a research project under the direction of a faculty member in the School. Eligible students participate in the ICS Honors Seminar (ICS H197), which provides an introduction to the range of current faculty research. Each student then affiliates with an ICS faculty advisor who agrees to supervise a minimum of two quarters of research. The participating student prepares a final written research report and submits a copy for review to both the faculty advisor and the Honors Program advisor. Successful completion of the Honors Program earns the student a certificate and medal from the School. Further, a notation of successful completion is added to the student's transcript. For more information about course requirements, application procedures, and deadlines visit http://www.ics.uci.edu/ugrad/honors/index.php, or contact the Student Affairs Office at (949) 824-5156.
Other Opportunities
Bren School of ICS undergraduates may complement their educational experience by participating in other programs. Information about the following programs is available elsewhere in the Catalogue and via the program Web sites: Campuswide Honors Program, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, Education Abroad Program, Student Achievement Guided by Experience (SAGE Scholars), and the 3-2 Program for Undergraduates in The Paul Merage School of Business.
Concentration: Engineering and Computer Science in the Global Context
The globalization of the marketplace for information technology services and products makes it likely that Bren ICS graduates will work in multicultural settings or be employed by companies with extensive international operations, or customer bases. The goal of the concentration is to help students develop and integrate knowledge of the history, language, and culture of a country or geographic region outside the United States, through course work both at UCI and an international host campus, followed by a technology-related internship in the host country.
All Bren School majors in good standing may propose an academic plan that demonstrates the ability to complete the concentration (a minimum of eight courses) and other requirements for graduation in a reasonable time frame. It is expected that a student's proposal will reflect a high degree of planning that includes the guidance of academic counselors and those at the UCI Center for International Education regarding course selection, as well as considerations related to internship opportunities, housing, and financial aid. Each student's proposed program of study must be approved by the Bren School of ICS Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean will be available to assist qualified students with the development of a satisfactory academic plan, as needed.
The concentration consists of the following components:
A. A minimum of eight courses at UCI or at the international campus with an emphasis on the culture, language (if applicable and necessary), history, literature of the country that corresponds to the international portion of the program, international law, international labor policy, global issues, global institutions, global conflict and negotiation, and global economics;
B. A one- or two-semester sequence of technical courses related to the major and, possibly, culture, history, and literature courses taken at an international university;
C. A two-month or longer technical internship experience in the same country as the international educational experience.
More information about the requirements for the concentration is available in the Bren ICS Student Affairs Office.
Concentration: Game Culture and Technology
The concentration in Game Culture and Technology is available to currently enrolled students majoring in Computer Science, Informatics, Information and Computer Science, and Studio Art. It exposes advanced students to an influential and expanding sector of media culture and contemporary art and technology practice, facilitates students' media literacy in relation to an increasingly prevalent art and entertainment form, and enables students to be more critical consumers and producers of new media art and culture.
Selection Process. Students may apply for admission no earlier than the end of their freshman year, and no later than the end of their junior year. Students will be selected by a competitive review process which occurs at the end of spring quarter. Each applicant must submit the following materials to the Program Director, c/o their School's Student Affairs Office: (1) a written statement of purpose; (2) portfolio or project samples that demonstrate an interest in the area; and (3) transcripts of UCI and other college course work. Applicants will be notified of the selection process outcome by the beginning of the fall quarter. A maximum of 12 students will be admitted per year in an effort to ensure access to Game Culture and Technology Laboratory research and development facilities in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Calit2, and the Institute for Software Research (ISR), all of which may be used to support student projects.
Requirements. Students must complete a total of eight courses (32 units) from within the two schools, which may also be used to satisfy existing requirements.
A. Three courses (12 units): Studio Art 135 (Gaming Studies), 166 (Advanced Collaborative Projects), and Computer Science 113/Informatics 125 (Computer Game Development).
B. Three courses (12 units) chosen from Studio Art 106 (Interactive Digital Media), 110 (Interdisciplinary Digital Arts), 138 (World Building), 175 (Digital Art Aesthetics), Informatics 43 (Informatics Core Course III) or ICS 52 (Introduction to Software Engineering), Informatics 121 (Software Design I), 131 (Human-Computer Interaction), 132 (Project in Human-Computer Interaction and User Interfaces), Computer Science 112 (Computer Graphics), 171 (Introduction to Artificial Intelligence), 175 (Project in Artificial Intelligence).
C. Two courses (8 units) chosen from Studio Art 197 (Internship), 199 (Independent Study), Computer Science H198 (Honors Research), 199 (Individual Study), Informatics H198 (Honors Research), and 199 (Individual Study).
Undergraduate Major in Business Information Management (BIM)
This program is administered jointly by the Bren School of ICS and The Paul Merage School of Business. For information, see the Interdisciplinary Studies section of the Catalogue, page 370.
Undergraduate Major in Information and Computer Science
The Information and Computer Science (ICS) major provides students with a broad introduction to topics ranging from computer system design and networking to software design and computer-supported cooperative work. Through the completion of four elective courses, students may choose to specialize in one or more of six areas (see below under Major Requirements). ICS majors may also choose to complete the Game Culture and Technology concentration, an interdisciplinary course of study requiring a total of eight courses (32 units) from the Bren School of ICS and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (Department of Studio Art); selection criteria and course requirements are described on this page, to the left.
ADMISSIONS
Freshman Applicants: See pages 34–38.
Transfer Applicants:
Junior-level applicants who satisfactorily complete the following course requirements will be given preference for admission. Applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
1. One year of discrete mathematics, if available; if not, first-year calculus.
2. Completion of one year of UC-transferable computer science courses, including at least one course involving the concepts of object-oriented programming (e.g., in Java) or functional programming (e.g., in Scheme). Additional courses beyond the two courses required for admission are strongly recommended, particularly courses that focus on topics such as data structures, algorithms, software design, software engineering, human-computer interaction, and programming language concepts, if such courses are available. It is strongly recommended that transfer students enter UCI with knowledge of Java since it is used in many of the required courses.
The lower-division requirements consist of five quarters of ICS courses and six quarters of math courses which must be taken in a certain order and which are prerequisites for upper-division courses. Students who transfer to UCI in need of completing any part of this sequence may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degree.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
University Requirements: See pages 56–62.
Major Requirements
Lower-division (some or all of these are prerequisites for required upper-division ICS courses):
A. Mathematics 2A-B, ICS 6B/Mathematics 6B, ICS 6D/Mathematics 6D, Mathematics 6G or 3A, Statistics 67/Mathematics 67.
B. ICS 21, 22, 23, 51, 52.
Upper-division:
A. ICS Core requirements: CSE121/Informatics 111, Informatics 161, CS 141/CSE141/Informatics 101, CS 142A/CSE142, CS 143A/CSE104, CS 151, CS 152, CS 161/CSE161, CS 171.
B. Two intermediate courses, each from a different group: CS 115; CS 116; Informatics 102; Informatics 113; Informatics 115, 123, or 131; Informatics 162 or 171; CS 131, 144, 146, or Engineering EECS113; CS 132, CS 145A, or Engineering EECS115/CSE151; CS 134, 162, 163, 164, 167, or 168; CS 174, 177, 178, Engineering EECS101; CS 111, 112, or Engineering EECS104; CS 122A/Engineering EECS116.
C. Three project courses selected from Informatics 117, Informatics 118A-B, Informatics 119, Informatics 121, Informatics 122, Informatics 132, Informatics 163, CS 113/Informatics 125, CS 114, CS 117, CS 122B, CS 133, CS 142B, CS 143B, CS 153, CS 154, CS 165, CS 175. NOTE: Informatics 119 may not be used to satisfy any part of the project course requirement in conjunction with Informatics 118A-B.
D. Two additional courses chosen from this list that have not been used to satisfy another ICS major requirement: Mathematics 105A-B, 114A-B, 118A-B, 120A-B, 121A-B, 130B-C, 132B-C, 140A-B, 141, 150, 151, 152, 161, 162A-B, 171A-B-C, 173A-B, 180; CS 162, 163, 164, 167, 168, 169, 177; Statistics 120B-C, 121, or Mathematics 131B-C; Philosophy 105A-B-C.
Specializations: Students may elect to complete one or more specializations within the major in Information and Computer Science. Courses taken for a specialization must be taken for a letter grade and may be used to satisfy upper-division requirements for the major. Courses may also be used to satisfy requirements of more than one specialization, subject to the following limitation: separate specializations may share at most one course.
One individual study course (CS H198 or CS 199) in the area of specialization may be substituted for one designated course (indicated by *) in the specialization requirements, upon prior approval of the Bren School Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Artificial Intelligence: four courses* selected from CS 116; CS 163 or 165; CS 172-179.
Computer Systems: four courses selected from Informatics 123, CS 112, CS 115, CS 131-134, CS 142B, CS 143B, CS 144, CS 145A, CS 146, CS 153-154.
Implementation and Analysis of Algorithms: two courses selected from CS 163, CS 164, CS 165; two courses* selected from Informatics 117, CS 133, CS 142B, CS 143B, CS 175, CS 177, CS 178.
Information Systems: three courses selected from Informatics 113, Informatics 117, Informatics 132, Informatics 162, Informatics 163, Informatics 171; one course* selected from Informatics 123, Informatics 131, Informatics 153, CS 122A, CS 132, CS 176.
Networks and Distributed Systems: four courses selected from Informatics 123, CS 131, CS 132, CS 133*, CS 134, CS 143B*.
Optimization: four courses selected from CS 144, CS 163, CS 168, CS 169, Statistics 121, Mathematics 105A, 105B, 171A, 171B.
Software Systems: two courses selected from Informatics 113, Informatics 115, Informatics 123, Informatics 131, Informatics 132; two software project courses, either Informatics 117 and Informatics 119* or Informatics 118A-B.
Major and minor restrictions: See above.
Sample Program of Study — Information and Computer Science
| FALL | WINTER | SPRING |
| Freshman | ||
| ICS 21 | ICS 22 | ICS 23 |
| Math 2A | Math 2B | ICS 6B/Math 6B |
| UC Entry Level Writing | Gen. Ed. (I) | Gen. Ed. (I) |
| Sophomore | ||
| ICS 51 | ICS 52 | ICS UD Core |
| ICS 6D/Math 6D | Math 6G or 3A | ICS UD Core |
| Gen. Ed. (II/IV) | Gen. Ed. (II/IV) | Stats/Math 67 |
| Gen. Ed. (III/VII/VIII) | Gen. Ed. (III/VII/VIII) | Gen. Ed. (II/IV) |
| Junior | ||
| ICS UD Core | ICS UD Core | ICS UD Core |
| ICS UD Core | ICS UD Core | ICS UD Core |
| UD Math | UD Math | UD Writing |
| Gen. Ed. (III/VII/VIII) | Gen. Ed. (III/VII/VIII) | Gen. Ed. (VI) |
| Senior | ||
| ICS Project | ICS Project | ICS Project |
| ICS Intermediate | ICS Intermediate | ICS UD Core |
| Gen. Ed. (II/IV) | Gen. Ed. (II/IV) | Gen. Ed. (II/IV) |
| Gen. Ed. (III/VII/VIII) | Gen. Ed. (IX) |
Minor in Information and Computer Science
Students outside the School may also pursue a minor in Information and Computer Science. The minor provides a focused study of Information and Computer Science to supplement a student's major program of study and prepares students for a profession, career, or academic pursuit in which computer science is an integral part but is not the primary focus. The ICS minor contributes to students' competence in computing technology and proficiency in programming as well as exposing them to the fundamentals of computer science. The minor allows students sufficient flexibility to pursue courses that complement their major field or address specific interests.
Requirements for the Minor: ICS 21, 22, 23; ICS 6D or Mathematics 6D; ICS 51 or 52; two upper-division courses from CS 111-144, CS 151-177, Informatics 101, Informatics 111-119, Informatics 123, Informatics 125, Informatics 131, Informatics 132, Informatics 141, Informatics 153, Informatics 161-163, and Informatics 171. CS 190-199 and Informatics 190-199 may not be applied to the minor.