Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) educates students to become leaders in the design and implementation of the computing systems that touch every aspect of modern society. Our courses cover everything from the mathematical foundations of what computers can and cannot do; to hands-on experiences building software and hardware artifacts with a range of programming languages and tools; to advanced courses in software engineering, human-computer interaction, computer graphics and animation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, large-scale data management, natural language processing, computer networking, computational biology, robotics, computer security and privacy, and much more. Computer scientists and computer engineers combine creative problem-solving, rigorous design, and the creation of algorithms, software, and hardware systems to build solutions that change the world.
CSE offers two undergraduate degrees: Computer Science (through the College of Arts and Sciences) and Computer Engineering (through the College of Engineering). Students working toward either degree have the same broad opportunities to take the wide array of courses that CSE offers. The Computer Science major may be more appropriate for students who are primarily interested in the design of software systems and applications, or who want to earn a double major with another College of Arts and Sciences program.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science: Data Science
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered in three groups - Entering Freshmen, Currently Enrolled UW Students, and Entering Transfers. Admission is capacity constrained. Completion of minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Entering Freshmen: The largest pathway for admission to Computer Science is directly out of high school, prior to completion of university-level prerequisites. Freshman applicants listing Computer Science as their intended major are automatically considered. Competitive applicants have usually taken the equivalent of four years of high school mathematics and at least one year of high school laboratory science upon entering the University. Admission is for autumn only.
Currently Enrolled UW Students: A portion of each year's class is admitted after matriculating to UW.
Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: July 1 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter.
Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CSE 123 or CSE 143; 5 credits from the list of approved natural science courses for Computer Science on the Allen School website; five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the application deadline.
Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by application deadline
Entering Transfers: A portion of each year's class is admitted from students transferring from another college or university.
Admission is for autumn or spring quarter. Application deadlines: April 5 for autumn quarter and January 15 for spring quarter.
Minimum course requirements for application: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126; CSE 123 or CSE 143; 5 credits from the list of approved natural science courses for Computer Science on the Allen School website; five credits of English composition; all courses completed prior to the Allen School supplemental application deadline.
Minimum 30 graded college credits completed by the Allen School supplemental application deadline.
Continuation Policy
All students must make satisfactory academic progress in the major. Failure to do so results in probation, which can lead to dismissal from the major. For the complete continuation policy, contact the departmental adviser or refer to the department website.
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science
Credential Overview
CSE offers two undergraduate degrees: Computer Science (through the College of Arts and Sciences) and Computer Engineering (through the College of Engineering). Students working toward either degree have the same broad opportunities to take the wide array of courses that CSE offers. The Computer Science major may be more appropriate for students who are primarily interested in the design of software systems and applications, or who want to earn a double major with another College of Arts and Sciences program.
Completion Requirements
77-81 Credits
Science (5 credits): 5 credits from the list of approved natural science courses for Computer Science on the Allen School website.
Mathematics (15-18 credits) complete one of the following:
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 208
MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
Fundamental Courses (24-25 credits): CSE 123 or CSE 143, CSE 311, CSE 312, CSE 331, CSE 332, CSE 351. Minimum 2.0 grade in each course.
Core and Electives: 33 additional 300-level and 400-level credits as follows:
Six courses from the CSE Core Courses list on the Allen School website of which at least four courses must be 400-level CSE courses.
Either one additional course from the CSE Core Courses list or one course from the CSE Capstone list on the Allen School website.
Additional courses from the CSE Electives list (which includes the CSE Core Courses list) on the Allen School website to bring the total for core and electives to 33 credits.
Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Computer Science: Data Science
Credential Overview
Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) offers two undergraduate degrees: Computer Science (through the College of Arts & Sciences) and Computer Engineering (through the College of Engineering). Students working toward either degree have the same broad opportunities to take the wide array of courses that CSE offers. The Computer Science major may be more appropriate for students who are primarily interested in the design of software systems and applications, or who want to earn a double major with another College of Arts & Sciences program. Students in Computer Science may also decide to pursue a data science option.
Completion Requirements
77-81 Credits
Science (5 credits): 5 credits from the list of approved natural science courses for Computer Science on the Allen School website.
Mathematics (15-18 credits) complete one of the following:
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 208
MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
Fundamental Courses (24-25 credits): CSE 123 or CSE 143, CSE 311, CSE 312, CSE 331, CSE 332, CSE 351. Minimum 2.0 grade in each course.
Core and Electives: 33 additional 300-level and 400-level credits as follows:
Six courses from the CSE Core Courses list on the Allen School website of which at least four courses must be 400-level CSE courses.
Either one additional course from the CSE Core Courses list or one course from the CSE Capstone list on the Allen School website.
Additional courses from the CSE Electives list (which includes the CSE Core Courses list) on the Allen School website to bring the total for core and electives to 33 credits.
Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all CSE courses.
Additional Completion Requirements
Additional credits required for the Data Science Option increase total major requirements to 80-86 credits. Requirements #1 and #3 below also apply toward the Core and Electives major requirement #4 shown above.
CSE 421, CSE 442, CSE 444, CSE 446 (15 credits)
SOC 225 (3/5 credits)
One additional course from the data science elective list (see the Allen School website for list) (3-4 credits)
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: The computer science field has a broad base of private- and public-sector jobs suitable for the Bachelor of Science graduate: systems analyst, systems programmer, applications programmer, technical sales and marketing, and hardware or software engineering specialist. In addition, there are jobs for which graduate education may be appropriate: producers and developers of computer systems, and teachers and researchers. The field is also highly valued for practicing entrepreneurship.
Instructional and Research Facilities: Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering includes more than 20,000 square feet of laboratories, nearly 1,000 computer systems, and more than 50 terabytes of storage. Gigabit connectivity is provided to every desktop by more than 60 miles of data cabling, and wireless access is available throughout the building.
The Allen School general-purpose laboratories support the diverse set of hardware and software platforms required for a cutting-edge education in the field. The special-purpose laboratories provide tailored support for activities such as mobile robotics, computer graphics, digital design, motion capture, embedded systems, laser scanning, educational technology, networking, and artificial intelligence.
The Allen Center and Gates Center are two of the finest computer science and computer engineering facilities in the nation. All Allen School students have access to these resources.
Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). See adviser for requirements.
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Internships and co-op opportunities are available for computer science undergraduates. Refer to department website for more information.
Departmental Scholarships: The Allen School has a limited number of scholarships available to current Allen School majors. Refer to department website for more information.
Student Organizations/Associations: A student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) operates within the Allen School.