CS + X Degree Programs
The University of Illinois has designed an innovative blended degree option called CS + X that allows students to pursue a flexible program of study incorporating a solid grounding in computer science with technical or professional training in the arts and sciences.
Computing is ubiquitous, with application areas in virtually any field imaginable – from developing gene-sequencing algorithms to designing methods for high-frequency trading, creating computer-generated graphics and special effects, analyzing social data from internet communications, and creating embedded real-time systems for medical devices.
X represents the major blended with the core computer science curriculum. Several colleges across campus offer majors – you apply to and graduate from the college that provides the X major. Illinois graduates with a CS + X degree are uniquely positioned to launch careers or pursue graduate studies in many fields.
CS + X
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences
Computer Science + Animal Sciences
Computer Science + Crop Sciences
College of Education
The Grainger College of Engineering
Computer Science + Bioengineering
Computer Science + Physics
College of Fine and Applied Arts
All computer science programs prefer students to be on a calculus track, having either precalculus or calculus by their senior year in high school.
Applicants applying to the Computer Science program in The Grainger College of Engineering should demonstrate teamwork and interpersonal communication skills and an interest in improving society through engineering.
Applicants applying to any of the CS + X programs should demonstrate a genuine interest in the X aspect of the major. You can find more details about the major-specific review criteria and the holistic review process for first-year applicants.
Is a CS undergraduate degree right for you?
How do the undergraduate CS and blended degree programs differ?
Explore frequently asked questions & answers
Guaranteed Admission to the Online MCS or MCS-DS
When you complete, in the last two years of your undergraduate degree, any Illinois CS, CS + X, or CS minor with a GPA of 3.0 or better and a GPA of 3.2 or better in CS courses, you are guaranteed admission to our Online MCS or MCS in Data Science (MCS-DS) programs.
Recent UIUC graduates may qualify for an application fee waiver.
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is updating and reinvigorating several traditional majors by combining them with computer science. The reasoning is that liberal arts, arts, and agricultural fields increasingly encompass data analysis that requires computer-science skills.
―The Chronicle of Higher Education
Like many colleges nationwide, the University of Illinois is ramping up its efforts to equip students with the ideal combination of strong technology acumen and solid creative and interpersonal skills – a combo many employers say they want in their new hires.
―U.S. News & World Report
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