BS in Computer Science and Economics

In order to be considered for admission to the BS in Computer Science and Economics, students must have at least one C and one B in MATH 180 and CS 111/CS 112/CS 113/MCS 160, with an average math/science/engineering GPA of 2.50/4.00, and at least a B in ECON 120. Prior to completing these requirements, students may declare Pre-Computer Science and Economics only. Transfer students who are admitted to UIC with all academic requirements complete should speak with their academic advisor at orientation about next steps. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserves the right to restrict the enrollment of students into its academic programs based on space availability. 

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Economics degree from UIC, students need to complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The degree requirements for the BS in Computer Science and Economics are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

Summary of Requirements
Requirements for the Curriculum120
Total Hours120

Requirements for the Curriculum

Required Courses
ENGL 160Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts3
ENGL 161Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research3
Foreign Language (the equivalent of two years of a single language at the college level)0-16
Exploring World Cultures course a3
Understanding the Creative Arts course a3
Understanding the Past course a3
Two Analyzing the Natural World courses (classes with labs only) a8-10
MATH 180Calculus I b,c4
MATH 181Calculus II c4
STAT 381Applied Statistical Methods I3
Select one of the following:3-4
Program Design I
Program Design I in the Context of Biological Problems
Program Design I in the Context of Law and Public Policy
Introduction to Computer Science
CS 141Program Design II3
CS 151Mathematical Foundations of Computing3
CS 211Programming Practicum3
CS 251Data Structures4
CS 407Economics and Computation3
Four courses, selected from the following:12
Software Design
Advanced Data Structure Practicum
Systems Programming
Ethical Issues in Computing
Algorithms in Practice
Artificial Intelligence I
Introduction to Machine Learning
Introduction to Data Science
Natural Language Processing
Visualization and Visual Analytics
Introduction to Parallel and Distributed Processing
Object-Oriented Languages and Environments
Database Systems
ECON 120Principles of Microeconomics d3-4
ECON 121Principles of Macroeconomics d3-4
ECON 220Microeconomics: Theory and Applications3
ECON 221Macroeconomics in the World Economy: Theory and Applications3
Select one of the following:3
Econometrics
Honors Econometrics
ECON 395Research and Writing in Economics e1
Two ECON courses numbered above 320 e,f6
One ECON course numbered above 400 f3
Electives g9-30
Total Hours120
a

Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog for a list of approved courses. 

b

This course fulfills the LAS Quantitative Reasoning requirement. 

c

This course  is approved for the Analyzing the Natural World (without lab) General Education category. 

d

ECON 120 and ECON 121 are required Economics courses for the program and fulfill the Understanding the Individual and Society and Understanding U.S. Society general education requirements.

e

ECON 395 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. Concurrent registration in a designated 300-level economics course is required. 

f

ECON 400 may not count as an elective toward these requirements. 

g

Students are encouraged to take PHIL 113 as one of their electives.

Recommended Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
ENGL 160 Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts 3
MATH 180 Calculus I a 4
ECON 120 Principles of Microeconomics b 4
General Education Core course 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
ENGL 161 Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research 3
MATH 181 Calculus II 4
CS 111 Program Design I 3
General Education Core course 3
General Education Core course (with lab) 4
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
Foreign Language I 4
CS 141 Program Design II 3
ECON 121 Principles of Macroeconomics 4
ECON 220 Microeconomics: Theory and Applications 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Foreign Language II 4
CS 151 Mathematical Foundations of Computing 3
STAT 381 Applied Statistical Methods I 3
ECON 221 Macroeconomics in the World Economy: Theory and Applications 3
General Education Core course 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
Foreign Language III 4
CS 211 Programming Practicum 3
CS 251 Data Structures 4
ECON 300 Econometrics 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Foreign Language IV 4
CS 407 Economics and Computation 3
CS Elective 3
ECON 300-Level Elective 4
ECON 395 1
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CS Elective 3
CS Elective 3
ECON Elective 3
General Education Core course 3
Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CS Elective 3
ECON Elective 3
General Education Core course (with lab) 4
Electives 5
 Hours15
 Total Hours120