We offer a state-of-the-art undergraduate curriculum that is continually updated by the faculty research experience. Students fulfilling the degree requirements may earn a BA, a BS, or a certificate in Computer Sciences. The department offers project-oriented courses in artificial intelligence, computational biology, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer networks, computer security, computer systems, databases, human-computer interaction, operating systems, programming languages and compilers, software engineering and wireless systems. These systems courses are complemented by undergraduate analysis courses in algorithms and complexity, systems performance modeling and analysis, numerical analysis and optimization.
To declare the Computer Sciences major, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- Completion of COMP SCI 300 and (MATH 222 or 276)
- Grade of BC or higher in an introductory programming course (COMP SCI 300, 354, or 400) taken at UW-Madison
- 2.250 GPA or higher in the first attempt of the following courses: COMP SCI 300 and (MATH 222 or 276)
- If students need additional coursework to meet the 2.250 GPA requirement, COMP SCI 240, 354, or 400 may also be used
- Note that the GPA is calculated with UW-Madison courses only, and does not include repeated coursework
See a sample four-year planning guide, which offers several views of what an undergraduate path could look like.
Declare a major in Computer Sciences
Students can use COVID pass/fail (SD) grades for declaration for this semester. In addition to successfully completing CS 300 and Math 222, students must have a 2.0 major GPA (students without an established major GPA will be allowed to declare). Students can find their major GPA by running a Computer Sciences what-if DARS and opening the section labeled “Computer Sciences major – Residence & Quality of Work.” Students with further questions should contact CS Advising (advising@cs.wisc.edu).