Welcome to the Department of Computer Sciences!
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is renowned for its reputation, both as a research institution and for its collaborative environment. Students also choose Wisconsin for its award-winning faculty, and they know that graduating from a world-class university will help ensure a successful career.
The computer science department is a computing powerhouse, whose faculty annually win prestigious awards and are engaged in both teaching and research on a high level of success.
Some of your first interactions with the department will be with Computer Sciences advisors. Our advisors are committed to helping our students find success and provide the following statement for prospective students.
As your advisors, we want to be clear with our students that we are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for our campus community. We value our students’ identities and recognize the racist and oppressive systems in higher education that create challenges and pain that conflict with our commitment to our students. As advisors, we stand in solidarity with our students as we all tackle racist systems that create barriers to accessing a quality and safe educational environment.
We remain committed to evaluating ourselves, our privilege, and our advising practices to improve the student experience in the Computer Sciences Department and at UW-Madison. As part of our actions to dismantle oppressive systems, we are committed to providing our students a space to share their experiences, to be heard, and to be helped to the best of our ability. Our advising goes beyond just answering academic questions. We want you to know: We support you. You belong. You matter.
– Shelby Arkin, Madeline Juillard, Michael Radloff, and Mollie Stolbov
UW-Madison women attend the Grace Hopper Conference every year.
UW-Madison Computer Sciences teams have made it to the world finals of the International Collegiate Programming Contest for the last 19 years.
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Prospective Information Sessions
The CS Department offers informational sessions to prospective families approximately every other Friday from 9-10. Students and families can sign up for sessions on the Visit Bucky site.
Computer Sciences Major Requirements
See the Guide for CS major and certificate requirements.
There is no application process for declaring the CS major; however, once a student meets the requirements listed in the Guide, they can declare the major online.
Advising
The CS Undergraduate Advisors provide advising resources for students once they have declared the CS major. We are also able to meet with undeclared students during selected times of the year.
If you are a prospective student who is interested in learning more about the Computer Sciences Department, we encourage you to access information through our excellent online resources (ie. this website or The Guide) or to email us at advising@cs.wisc.edu. We also offer informational sessions throughout the year. You can register for those at Visit Bucky.
We look forward to supporting you through your time in the Computer Sciences Department!
General UW and Madison information
For information about UW-Madison and the city of Madison, check out our general prospective students page here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I’m not a current UW student, but I plan to enroll/transfer soon. Can I still be advised by CS advisors?
Computer Science Undergraduate Advisors provide extensive advising resources to current UW-Madison students and transfer students.
If you are in the early stages of considering transferring to UW-Madison or have not yet started your first year on campus (a.k.a., freshman year), we encourage you to access advising through our excellent online resources (i.e., this website) and to email us at advising@cs.wisc.edu. Please also consider signing up for a Computer Science Informational Session through the UW Admissions Office.
You will have plenty of time to talk with us once you arrive on campus as a first year student. We look forward to supporting you in learning about and thinking through all your options!
How can I visit campus?
UW-Madison provides prospective students with a number of opportunities to visit campus and learn more. Choose the visit that matches your academic interests!
Where can I find information about applying to UW?
For specific applications and deadlines visit the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
What happens once I’m admitted?
Your UW Day is a full-day program designed to give admitted first year students all the information and campus perspective that you will want in order to make a final college selection. In addition, CS advisors will be at the Majors Fair to talk with you about any questions that you have.
SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) will be your first step as a UW-Madison student.
The Computer Sciences Job Fair is held every fall.
A student explains her poster at the CS Student Research Symposium organized by SACM.