Computer
Science
BA Degree

The Computer Science department offers two Computer Science degrees, the Interdisciplinary Major in Computer Science degree offered through the College of Arts & Sciences (BACS), and the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree offered through the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The main differences between the two degrees are:

1. The BACS degree is in the College of Arts & Sciences; the BSCS is in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. This means the degrees have different general requirements. The general requirements for the College of Arts & Sciences are the competency requirements (see the Undergraduate Record for details). They include two writing requirements, a foreign language, and area requirements in natural science and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and historical studies. The general requirements for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences include mathematics, chemistry, physics, technical electives, humanities electives, and science, technology, and society courses (see the curriculum for details). To enroll in the BACS major, students must be enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences. To enroll in the BSCS major, students must be enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
2. The BACS degree starts with the CS150-CS205 gateway sequence; the BSCS degree starts with the CS101-CS201 sequence. The CS150-CS205 sequence is a more conceptual introduction to computer science, that emphasizes the key intellectual ideas first in CS150, and includes connections between computer science and the arts and sciences. The CS101-CS201 sequence emphasizes first learning an industrial programming language, and is required for all students in the Engineering school. After completing the first two courses, students are prepared for the same courses, and both BACS and BSCS take the same course courses (CS202, CS216, CS333, and CS432).
3. The BSCS degree includes additional required CS courses that are not required for the BACS degree. The additional courses required for the BSCS degree are CS302, CS340, CS414, and the Computer Architecture elective. (The BACS degree includes four CS elective courses. For many students, these electives include several of the required BSCS courses.)
4. The BACS degree includes four integration electives, which are not part of the BSCS degree. The integration electives are courses in other departments that have strong connections with computing. See http://www.cs.virginia.edu/ba/integration.html for a list of integration electives.
5. The BSCS degree (like all Engineering School degrees) requires a fourth-year thesis. This involves taking STS 401 (in which students write a thesis proposal) and STS 402 (in which students complete a thesis report), and working with a technical advisor on a thesis project. BACS students are not required to complete a thesis, but may enter the distinguished majors program. To complete a distinguished major, a BACS student must complete a fourth year thesis project that is approved by two readers, one from Computer Science and one from an Arts & Sciences department.