CS + X Degree Programs
"The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is updating and reinvigorating a number of 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
Always at the forefront of computer science education, the University of Illinois has designed a new degree option, called CS + X, that allows students to pursue a flexible program of study incorporating a strong 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.
In fact, according to the National Science Foundation, "[K]nowledge of computer science and computer programming is becoming a necessary skill... in marketing, advertising, journalism, and the creative arts."
After earning their CS + X degree, our graduates are poised to launch their career or pursue graduate studies in a wide variety of fields.
Current CS + X degree programs:
- Computer Science + Anthropology
- Computer Science + Astronomy
- Computer Science + Chemistry
- Computer Science + Crop Sciences
- Computer Science + Linguistics
- Computer Science + Music
Please note that students interested in the Mathematics or Statistics programs with Computer Science should enroll in the Mathematics & Computer Science, or the Statistics & Computer Science degrees.
CS + X FAQ
Is CS + X right for you? How is CS + X different from our Engineering-based bachelor's degree? Read the short CS + X FAQ!
CS + X General Degree Requirements
See also: Prerequisite Flowchart and Course Planning Forms
| 29-30 | Computer Science Courses |
| 1 | CS 100 - Freshman Orientation (recommended) |
| 4 | CS 125 - Introduction to Computer Science |
| 3 | CS 126 - Software Design Studio (Students entering prior to fall 2016 take CS 242.) |
| 3 | CS 173 - Discrete Structures |
| 4 | CS 225 - Data Structures |
| 4 | CS 233 - Computer Architecture (Students who have completed CS 231 and CS 232 need not take this course.) |
| 4 | CS 241 - Systems Programming |
| 4 | CS 374 - Algorithms and Models of Computation (Students who have completed CS 373 and CS 473 need not take this course.) |
| 3 | CS 421 - Programming Languages & Compilers |
| 12-13 | Mathematics (may also fulfill the General Education Quantitative Reasoning I and II requirements) |
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4-5
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MATH 220 - Calculus or MATH 221 - Calculus I |
| 2 | MATH 225 - Introductory Matrix Theory |
| 3 | MATH 231 - Calculus II |
| 3 |
Select one of: STAT 200 - Statistical Analysis STAT 210 - Biostatistics CS 361 - Probability & Statistics for Computer Science (recommended) (Students who completed STAT 100 prior to fall 2016 need not take any of these courses, though CS 361 is still recommended) |
| Minimum of 24 hours | LAS Discipline coursework |
| An additional 24 hours of coursework in one of the following Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines: Anthropology, Astronomy, Chemistry, or Linguistics. Coursework must be chosen in consultation with an advisor and approved by the LAS department. Must include at least 12 hours at the 300- or 400-level. | |
| Total of 65 hours minimum | |
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Hours
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Requirements
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Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
All LAS foreign language requirements must be satisfied.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office by the beginning of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see the computer science advisor as well as the advisor in your LAS discipline.
Prerequisite Flowchart and Course Planning Forms
NOTE: Students following the CS + Astronomy and CS + Chemistry requirements should take MATH 241 Calculus III after MATH 231 Calculus II. We will post a different flowchart for these programs soon.
Course planning form provide a checklist of all requirements for the major and a framework for creating four-year plan on the back of the form. These forms vary, depending on when you entered the major.