The BA Computer Science program allows students flexibility in designing their course of study. Although there are fewer required courses, the BA Computer Science program provides a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, programming methodology and skills, computer organization, theory and design of algorithms, hardware, and software. Students can gain additional breadth and/or depth in computer science and engineering by an appropriate selection of technical electives. By requiring fewer technical electives, the BA Computer Science program serves those students desiring more time for undergraduate studies outside their major subject.

All major requirements (see below) and technical electives, except CSE 197, 198 or 199, must be taken for a letter grade. To graduate, a grade point average of 2.0 is required in the upper division major requirements including the technical electives.

Requirements
The BA Computer Science program requires completion of a total of 112 units. The following sections on lower division, upper division and technical elective courses complete the requirements.

Four-Year Academic Plan
The CSE Department has established a Four-Year plan for students to follow. Each student must meet with their CSE Academic Advisor in their first quarter to put together a four-year plan.

Lower Division
Students are expected to complete the following courses by the end of their sophomore year:

• Computer Science and Engineering: CSE 8B* or CSE11, CSE 12, CSE 15L CSE 20 or Math 15A, CSE 21 or Math 15B, CSE 30, CSE 70, and CSE 91; 28 units.
  *CSE 8A and CSE 8AL should be taken before CSE 8B.
• Mathematics: Math 20A, 20B, 21C, 21D , and 20F; 20 units.
• Physics: Physics 2A, 2B, 2C; 12 units. Math 20A is a prerequisite for Physics 2A. Students whose performance on the Department of Mathematics placement test permits them to start with Math 20B or a higher course may take Physics 2A in the fall quarter of the freshman year; all others will take Physics 2A in the winter quarter of the freshman year. Students who received high grades in both calculus and physics in high school may substitute the major's sequence, Physics 4A, 4B, 4C, for Physics 2A, 2B, 2C.

Upper Division
All BA Computer Science students are required to take CSE 100 or Math 176, CSE 101 or Math 188, CSE 105 or Math 166, CSE 120, CSE 130, CSE 131, CSE 140, CSE 140L, CSE 141, and CSE 141L; 36 units.

Students are expected to complete almost all of these courses by the end of their junior year. If students want to accelerate their program, they should consider taking CSE 100 or Math 176, CSE 105 or Math 166, and/or CSE 140 and CSE 140L in the sophomore year.

Technical Electives Requirements
BA Computer Science students are required to take four technical elective for a total of 16 units. Of the four electives, two must be CSE upper division. You can also use a CSE graduate course for technical elective credit with approval. Once a CSE graduate course is used for an undergraduate degree that course may not be reused for a graduate degree. In addition, only 4 units of either a CSE 197, 198, or 199 may be used toward technical elective credit.

The remaining two technical electives may be CSE upper division or CSE graduate courses, they can also be chosen from the wider set of courses that includes other electives as listed under the section titled Electives. This section also lists other restrictions in the selection of technical electives. If you want to deviate from this list of approved electives, you must petition with a CSE Academic Advisor.