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 goal of our undergraduate program is to continue this tradition, educating our students in the theory and application of computer technology as well as any college or university in the world.

We believe that when our students graduate, they should possess:

• A thorough understanding of computer technology
• A high level of practical skill in the use of that technology
• The ability to conceive, design, and implement software systems, using appropriate existing technologies where available, and producing creative solutions when necessary
• The ability to work in teams, with other computer scientists as well as non-computer scientists; to communicate, orally and in writing, with specialists and non-specialists, about computer technology
• Integrity in their professional dealings, and sensitivity to ethical issues that arise in society's use of computers
• Detailed knowledge of at least one advanced area of Computer Science
• For students who contemplate a career in research, experience working in a research group, and knowledge of the mores and ethics of the research community

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.