Nov 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Computer Science (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science degree program is designed to teach students basic computer science techniques and how to apply them to another subject area, such as business, biology, psychology, graphic design, etc. The curriculum for this degree is less mathematically rigorous than the Bachelor of Science program but still teaches the essential tools and algorithms used in computer science. Students are required to complete 15 credits from an application area outside of computer science.

Please see the UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, Department of  Computer Science web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze problems and identify the computing and/or mathematical techniques appropriate for their solution.
  2. Apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems.
  3. Use current tools or techniques to implement and evaluate programs or computer-based systems.
  4. Apply computer science techniques and tools to solve problems in a chosen application area.

Career Opportunities

Computer Science graduates are in high demand and are prepared for a wide variety of well-paid professional careers. Our graduates may pursue opportunities in many areas including:

  • Database Administration
  • Software Engineering
  • Web Development
  • Network Administration
  • Systems Administration
  • Information Assurance and Security

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Student Advising Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see Graduation Policies  for complete information.

Computer Science (BA) Degree Requirements - Total Credits: 120

General Education Requirements - Credits: 36-40

First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3

The preferred First Year Seminar for Computer Science (BA) is EGG 101  in combination with EGG 202 .

English Composition - Credits: 6

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3

Constitutions - Credits: 3-6

Mathematics - Credits: 4

Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18

  Please see Distribution Requirements  for more information.

  • Humanities and Fine Arts: 9 credits
  • Social Science: 9 credits 
    • One course each from three different fields
  • Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking:
    • Automatically satisfied by Major requirements

Multicultural and International

Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements.  A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. Visit the Provost webpage for the list of approved Multicultural and International courses​.

Major Requirements - BA in Computer Science - Credits: 61

All courses satisfying Computer Science BA requirements must be completed with a C or better.

Mathematics Courses - Credits: 10

Philosophy Course - Credits: 3

Computer Science Core Courses - Credits: 9

Upper-Division CS Courses - Credits: 9

Choose from CS courses numbered 300 or higher. 

Three 300+ level CS courses (students may also choose from MATH 466    and/or MATH 467  .

Application Area Courses - Credits: 18

Choose courses numbered 300 or higher from an area other than CS (must be approved by advisor).

Computer Science General - Credits:12

General Electives - Credits: 23

 Free electives to ensure that minimum total credits are 120.

Areas of Concentration

Students who wish to specialize in a particular segment of the computer science industry can declare a concentration to focus their studies in that field. Concentration courses replace the Computer Science General courses in the Computer Science BA Major and must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Data Science Concentration - Credits:12

The Data Science Concentration of the Computer Science (BA) offers specific requirements and technical skills needed to enter into this career pathway. The program has the following three objectives:

  1. The program will produce graduates who can strongly contribute to the growth of the data science efforts field in this region.
  2. The program will produce graduates who can perform basic technical tasks required by those in entry-level data science positions.

Student Learning Outcome (SLO)

  1. Evaluate the computer network and information security needs of an organization.
  2. Work with data sets and adequately understand data science.
  3. Possess a broad mastery of in-depth knowledge of data science. 

Notes

  1. CS 302  is a Milestone Experience course for Computer Science B.A.
  2. CS 472  is a Culminating Experience course for Computer Science B.A.