About Undergraduate Education

Strength Through Fundamentals

The educational programs in Computer Science at the University of Illinois have historically educated some of the leaders and visionaries in the computer field, including such innovators as Ray Ozzie (Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corp., 1979 BS), Marc Andreessen (co-founder of Netscape Communications, 1993 BS), Max Levchin (co-founder, PayPal, 1997 BS), Tom Siebel (founder, Siebel Systems, 1985 MS), and Andy Yao (Professor, Stanford Univ., 2000 ACM Turing Award winner, 1975 PhD).

The goals of our undergraduate program are to continue this tradition, to provide an education that is second to none in the theory and application of computer technology. Our constituents include employers nationwide, who need well-trained Computer Scientists;the people of Illinois, who need a strong IT workforce; Graduate schools, at which our students may pursue further studies; and our own students, for whom we seek to provide an excellent CS education and opportunities for professional growth.

Our Program Educational Objectives are to prepare graduates who are highly sought after by employers and accepted at top graduate schools, who obtain positions in industry, government, and academia, and who distinguish themselves in leadership positions in their profession.

By the time of graduation, our students will have:

 (a) An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
(b) An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
(c) An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component, or program to meet desired needs
(d) An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal
(e) An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities
(f) An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
(g) An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society
(h) A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
(i) An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice
(j) An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices
(k) An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity 

Above all, our students must possess the intellectual tools that will enable them to keep pace with the ever-changing world of Computer Science.

Our mission is to provide to each student the opportunity to succeed and thrive in our department, so that they may graduate with the knowledge and abilities listed above.