Undergraduate Programs

BS in Computer Science

General Education Requirements

English Composition (3 cr.)

This part of the writing requirement may be fulfilled in any one of the following ways:

  1. Exemption without credit. Students scoring 670 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading test, or 32 or above on the ACT English Composition section, or 4 to 5 on the Advanced Placement English Composition section, are exempt from English composition.
  2. Exemption with credit. A student will be granted 2 credit hours of ENG-W 143 if the student has:
    • a score of 670 or above on the SAT Critical Reading test, or 32 or above on the ACT English Composition section, or 4 to 5 on the Advanced Placement English Composition section, plus
    • a score of 660 or higher on the SAT Writing Test, and if the student applies to the Department of English in Ballantine Hall 442. Students should also see “Special Note” under “Credit by Examination” in this Bulletin.
  3. Completion of any of the following options with a grade of C or higher:
    • ENG-W 131 (3 cr.)
    • ENG-W 170 (3 cr.)
    • ENG-L 141 and L 142 (4/4 cr.)
    • AAAD-A 141 and A 142 (4/4 cr.)
    • Two semesters of ENG-W 143 (1 cr.), combined with two introductory courses, CMLT-C 145, C 146 (3/3 cr.)
    • A combination of any two course options from (c), (d), and (e) above.

Note: Courses taken under these options, except for ENG-W 131, W 143, and W 170, may, if they are so designated, be applied toward distribution requirements.

Intensive Writing (3 cr.)

This part of the writing requirement may be fulfilled by completing one intensive writing course at or above the 200 level after completing the English composition requirement. Intensive writing courses are defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. Students must check the listings for courses in the online Schedule of Classes each semester to make certain the course section they have chosen fulfills the requirement.

International Dimension (6-11 cr.)

The international dimension may be fulfilled in any of the following three ways:

Note: Courses taken to fulfill this International Dimension may not be counted as Arts & Humanities and Social & Historical

  • Two courses from an approved list that involve either the study of a culture other than the student’s own or the study of the global context of informatics; See Appendix II or the Computer Science advisor for a list of approved International Dimension courses.
  • Three semesters in the same language, or equivalent proficiency;
  • An approved international experience.

Language Placement Tests
Students who wish to continue at Indiana University a foreign language begun in high school or at another university must take a foreign language placement test. Contact the Evaluation Services and Testing office at (812) 855-1595 or foreign language departments for more information.

Special Credit as a Result of Placement Tests
Students placing at the second semester may be eligible for special credit for the first semester. Students placing at the third semester may be eligible for special credit for both the first and second semesters. Students who are eligible for such credit in French, German, Hebrew, Italian, or Spanish will automatically receive credit if the placement test is taken at Indiana University or if the student’s CEEB test score is sent to Indiana University. For special credit in other foreign languages and for special credit above the first-year level, students should check directly with the foreign language departments.

International Students
Students whose native language is not English may demonstrate required proficiency in their language. They may not, however, earn credit for any courses at the first- or second-year level in their native language.

Arts & Humanities and Social & Historical (15 cr.)

Students are required to take five courses in arts and humanities and social and historical studies, as defined by the College of Arts and Sciences. At least two courses must be taken in each area.

Natural Science (12 cr.)

Twelve credit hours chosen from PSY-P 106, PSY-P 211, COGS-Q 270 and/or any natural and mathematical science course from: AST, BIOL, CHEM, GEOL, and PHYS.

Major Course Requirements (effective Fall 2009)

Students must complete the following:

  1. Core courses: C 211, C 212, C 241 and C 343. Honors versions (labeled H) of each core course are available in selected semesters.
  2. One approved specialization (see 5 approved specializations below)
  3. 45 hours including (1) and (2) with the remaining courses drawn from the following list – at least 26 of the 45 hours must be at the 300 level or above.
    • CSCI C, P, H and B courses numbered 200 and above
    • CSCI-Y 390, 391, 399 and 499 (at most 6 hours)
    • CSCI-H 498 (at most 1 hour)
    • MATH-M 471 and 472
    • INFO-I 101 (if completed before or concurrently with CSCI-C 212)
    • INFO-Y 395
    • INFO-I 494 and 495
  4. MATH-M 211 (or equivalent proficiency) and at least two of the following courses: MATH-M 212, MATH-M 213, MATH-M 301, MATH-M 303, MATH-M 311, MATH-M 312, MATH-M 343, MATH-M 348, MATH-M 384, MATH-M 365, MATH-M 371, MATH-M 391, MATH-M 405, MATH-M 409, or PHIL-P 251, PHIL-P 350, or PHIL-P 352. Mathematics courses cross listed with CS and taken to satisfy (1), (2) or (3) above are excluded.                       
Major Course Requirements 2008

Students must complete the following:

  1. The six core courses of the computer science undergraduate curriculum (labeled C) provide a solid general foundation in computer science. These are C 211, C 212, C 241, C 311, C 335, and C 343. Honors versions (labeled H) of each core course are available in selected semesters.
  2. MATH-M 211 (or equivalent proficiency) and at least two of the following courses: MATH-M 212, MATH-M 213, MATH-M 301, MATH-M 303, MATH-M 311, MATH-M 312, MATH-M 343, MATH-M 348, MATH-M 384, MATH-M 365, MATH-M 371, MATH-M 391, MATH-M 405, MATH-M 409, or PHIL-P 251, PHIL-P 350, or PHIL-P 352.
  3. Seven advanced computer science courses, including at least 12 hours taken on the Bloomington campus, to include the following:
    • One of the advanced courses must be CSCI-B 401, B 403, or P 415.
    • Two advanced courses must be labeled “P”.
Computer science courses numbered 300 level or higher and of at least 3 credit hours, excluding Y398 and A courses, are considered "advanced computer science courses." Mathematics M471-M472 may be applied to the computer science major as 400-level courses.

Academic Bulletins

PDF Version

Click here for the PDF version.