We offer software engineering oriented computer science degrees that emphasize how to think about, design, and create quality software-enabled systems that have real impact in organizations and the world. Our degrees provide the broad educational background valued by employers and by computing professionals seeking rewarding careers. Our aim is a transformative educational experience that not only provides fundamentals and technical skills, but also the perspective to understand how to be an effective, confident, and respected member of our profession.
The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Computing is a multidisciplinary degree that allows students to become experts in integrating computer technology across their minor elective field. In their CSS coursework, students concentrate on programming, software engineering, management, communications, and hardware and operating systems from an application perspective. These core classes create a solid foundation of knowledge in computer hardware, programming, and software development.
The Applied Computing major is competitive; having the minimum grade of a 2.0 in the prerequisite courses does not guarantee admission. Prerequisites must be completed prior to admission:
• B WRIT 134; or ENGL 111, 121, or 131 English Composition
• Second Composition, Research Writing, or Introduction to Technical Writing
• CSS 132 or 142; or CSE 142 Intro Programming I
• CSS 133 or 143; or CSE 143 Intro Programming II
• STMATH 124 Calculus I
• Statistics (recommended for admission; must be completed before graduation)
The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Computing (BAAC) combines courses in computer systems with elective classes in a subject or field of the students’ choosing. Graduates will be able to combine their acquired detailed knowledge of their chosen application with a practical understanding of modern computing.
Required Courses — Complete all of the following:
• CSS 301 Technical Writing for Computing Professionals
• CSS 340 Applied Algorithms or CSS 342 Data Structure and Algorithms I
• CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals
• CSS 360 Software Engineering
• CSS 421 Introduction to Hardware Architecture and Operating Systems
• CSS 496 Applied Computing Capstone
CSS Electives (25 credits)
A maximum of 10 credits are allowed at the 200 level, and a minimum of 10 credits must be at the 400 level. A maximum of 10 credits of combined CSS 290, 390, and 490 (Special Topics), and a maximum of 15 credits of combined CSS 397, 495, 498, and 499 are allowed towards the CSS Elective requirement.
Minor/Concentration Electives (25 credits); or any other non-computing related Major (or approved course of study)
This must be an approved minor, concentration, or major from another department or program. Students may also work with CSS faculty and program advisors to develop custom knowledge domain expertise – subject to departmental approval. If student has a baccalaureate degree in another area, this requirement may be waived. Students must submit a Minor Elective Contract for approval to the CSS advisor by the end of their 3rd quarter in the major.
Upper-Level Electives (10 credits)
Upper-level electives of any discipline. Must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Graduation Requirements
• Completion of 180 or more total credits including the above stated requirements, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Students must earn a grade of 2.0 in all required courses (please note that some courses may require a higher prerequisite GPA)
• Completion of the last 45 credits at UW Bothell
• Completion of all University of Washington Bothell graduation requirements
Students combine their CSS coursework with studies in a non-computing subject that is of interest to them. This subject area, called a Minor Elective, can take the form of either an established minor at the University of Washington or an approved concentration of courses that covers complex subject matter.
To integrate their CSS coursework with the courses in their minor elective, Applied Computing students take part in a final Applied Computing Capstone, where they gain a deeper understanding of the inherent relations between computer science, software development, and their concentration in another discipline.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering (CSSE) is a computer science degree that stresses computer programming and people-centered software development processes. Students will gain essential knowledge in object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithm analysis, software engineering, management principles, hardware architecture and operating systems. The CSSE elective courses provide the student the opportunity to develop a solid technical foundation of new and complex technologies.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) is a computer science degree that places a greater emphasis on software engineering and relevant business and management concepts than would be found in a more traditional computer science degree.
•CSS 301 Technical Writing for Computing Professionals
•CSS 342 Data Structures & Algorithms I
•CSS 343 Data Structures & Algorithms II
•CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals
•CSS 360 Software Engineering
•CSS 370 Analysis & Design
•CSS 422 Hardware & Computer Organization
•CSS 430 Operating Systems
•CSS Electives (25 credits)
CSS electives are 200-400 level courses, of which a minimum of 15 credits must be at the 400-level. A maximum of 10 credits of combined CSS 290, 390, and 490 (Special Topics), and a maximum of 10 credits of combined CSS 397, 498, and 499 are allowed towards the CSS Elective requirement.
General Electives (15 Credits)
Upper-level electives of any discipline. Must be at the 300 or 400 level.
CSSE Capstone
The scope and nature of each project will require students to integrate and apply their knowledge in a "real world" setting. Students complete 10 credits (400 hours) of Capstone in their final quarter(s). Project options consist of internships, research with faculty, individual projects, or group projects. Upon completion of the Capstone, students present at the CSS Colloquium.
•Completion of 180 or more total credits including the above stated requirements, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
•Students must earn a grade of 2.0 in all required courses (please note that some courses may require a higher prerequisite GPA)
•Completion of the last 45 credits at UW Bothell
•Completion of all University of Washington Bothell graduation requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) is a computer science degree that places a greater emphasis on software engineering and relevant business and management concepts than would be found in a more traditional computer science degree. The Information Assurance & Cybersecurity option allows students to focus their CSSE electives on information assurance policy, secure coding, or networking and systems security. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to create, deploy, use, and manage systems that preserve individual and organizational privacy and security.
•CSS 301 Technical Writing for Computing Professionals
•CSS 342 Data Structures & Algorithms I
•CSS 343 Data Structures & Algorithms II
•CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals
•CSS 360 Software Engineering
•CSS 370 Analysis & Design
•CSS 422 Hardware & Computer Organization
•CSS 430 Operating Systems
•CSS 310
Option Electives (15 credits)
CSS 337 Secure Systems
CSS 415 Emerging Topics in IAC
CSS 432 Network Design
CSS 411 Computing, Technology, and Public Policy
•Additional CSS electives (5 credits)
•General Electives (15 Credits)
Upper-level electives of any discipline. Must be at the 300 or 400 level.
•Completion of 180 or more total credits including the above stated requirements, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
•Students must earn a grade of 2.0 in all required courses (please note that some courses may require a higher prerequisite GPA)
•Completion of the last 45 credits at UW Bothell
•Completion of all University of Washington Bothell graduation requirements
The CSSE minor provides students with the necessary programming and software management skills to work within a software development environment within their major discipline.
The CSSE minor provides students with the necessary programming and software management skills to work within a software development environment within their major discipline. Courses for the CSSE minor are programming intensive and require a strong foundational knowledge of programming skills to be successful.
• CSS 132 or 142; or CSE 142 Intro Programming I (2.7 minimum)
• CSS 133 or 143; or CSE 143 Intro Programming II (2.5 minimum)
• CSS 342 Data Structures & Algorithms I
• CSS 360 Software Engineering
• Two additional CSS courses above the 200 level, with a minimum of at least 5 credits at the 300- or 400-level
A minimum of 30 credits with at least a 2.0 in each course. Minimum of 15 credits must be completed in residence at UW Bothell campus
Cybersecurity is a multi-disciplinary field that is in high demand regionally, nationally, and internationally. Career opportunities are not limited to those with a technical background. Individuals with a variety of backgrounds are required to address the significant need for more people to protect organizations from a variety of threats, both technical and non-technical. The minor in Cybersecurity prepares students for such careers by providing foundational knowledge that will allow them to contribute to an organization’s needs by combining the knowledge they acquired from their major with the foundational knowledge from this minor.
30 Credits Total (17-20 required + 10-13 electives)
Required (17-20 credits)
Electives (10-13 credits at the 300-400 level)
See website for list of approved courses.
Other Requirements
Learning Outcomes
The Data Science Minor gives students background in data analysis and visualization in the natural sciences and engineering, including exposure to algorithms and lower-level programming tools.
Prerequisite Courses: Prior to declaring the Minor, students must complete a course or course option in the following categories:
The Data Science Minor gives students background in data analysis and visualization in the natural sciences and engineering, including exposure to algorithms and lower-level programming tools.
The Data Science Minor requires a minimum of 25 credits, consisting of courses from four required categories and 10 credits from the list of approved elective courses. The list of approved elective courses is published online by the School of STEM. The required courses consist of one course or course option in each of the following four categories:
No more than 10 credits a student counts towards the Minor may count towards the student’s major. Students must earn a minimum of a 2.0 grade in all prerequisite, required, and elective courses for the Minor. Students must complete at least 15 credits of the required or elective courses for the Minor at UW Bothell.
The IT minor focuses on bridging the technology and information management and gives students a background in software design methodologies, computer programming, database systems and strategies for automating industrial and organizational processes.
• CSS 132 or 142 Intro Programming I
• CSS 133, 143, or 173 Intro Programming II
• CSS 360 Software Engineering
• CSS 475 Database Systems
• One additional 5-credit CSS course, at the 200-level or above
A minimum of 25 credits with at least a 2.0 in each course
The Graduate Certificate in Software Design & Development (GCSDD) is designed for those who lack formal education in computer science, but desire to enter into the field of software development and/or pursue a Master of Science degree.
Admission to the GCSDD requires two quarters of object-oriented programming (CSS 142 and 143 or equivalent) and one college level calculus course (BMATH 124 or equivalent), as well as a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA In the last 90 quarter or 60 semester credits. Admission to the Graduate Certificate is currently for Fall Quarter only, and is competitive.
18 credits
The Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering (MSCSSE) partners advanced studies in computer science with detailed analysis of software engineering methodologies. By coupling theoretical computing concepts with real-world problems, students develop the breadth of expertise necessary to succeed in today’s competitive software profession, and are prepared for rewarding positions and advanced career opportunities in sectors such as software development, biotech, medicine, aerospace, entertainment, and finance. The Master of Science in Computer Science & Software Engineering requires completion of 46-49 credits of graduate level coursework, dependent upon a student’s results in the Writing Assessment. Part-time students should plan on enrolling in approximately 5 credits per quarter; full-time students should plan on taking approximately 10 credits per quarter.
Please see this program's Graduate Admissions page for current requirements.
46-49 credits
Additional information:
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering at UW Bothell prepares students to protect today’s and tomorrow’s cyber systems with the necessary technical and leadership skills. Supported by a collaborative and personal learning environment, students gain expertise and confidence in building more secure systems. Students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by conducting research with faculty in a myriad of areas such as penetration testing, emerging technologies, vulnerability analysis, network security, human computer interaction, wireless security, and cryptography. The Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering requires 46-49 credits, dependent upon a student’s results in the Writing Assessment.
Please see this program's Graduate Admissions page for current requirements.
46-49 credits
Additional information: