Computer Science, Turing Scholars Honors (BSCompSci)
Turing Scholars in Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science offers a comprehensive honors degree program for highly motivated and talented students. The key features of the program are an intensive, accelerated freshman- and sophomore-year program; special Turing Scholars sections of many advanced computer science courses; a second-semester freshman-year course that introduces students to the research activities of the department; and at least two semesters of supervised research and writing. Upon completion of both a sequence of Turing Scholars courses, approved by the program director, and an approved thesis, students graduate as Turing Scholars in Computer Science. Students in the Turing Scholars program pursue the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCompSci)
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree program provides a strong technical background for students planning to begin careers upon graduation and for those interested in graduate study in computer science. This program allows students to take more coursework in computer science and related technical areas than does the bachelor of science and arts degree program.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science offers three programs: Computer Science; Computer Science Honors; and Turing Scholars Honors. Students who would like to pursue any of the degree programs must first be admitted.
Students may also apply to the Integrated BS/MS Program, which leads to simultaneous completion of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and the Master of Science in Computer Science, the Master of Science in Information Studies, or the Master of Science in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Course Reservations
Computer science courses with numbers ending in H are intended for students in the Turing Scholars program, and Honors Computer Science and Business, computer science honors. Students outside these programs may enroll in these courses by petition. The exceptions are those courses related to the undergraduate honors thesis, C S 374H and C S 379H, which are intended for all CS students but still require a petition for enrollment.
Enrollment in C S 312, C S 311 or C S 311H, and C S 314 or C S 314H is reserved for computer science entry-level majors. All other computer science courses that may be counted toward a degree in computer science are restricted to students who have been admitted to the computer science major or have the consent of the undergraduate faculty advisor.
An undergraduate may not enroll in any computer science course more than once without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. No student may enroll in any computer science course more than twice. No student may take more than three upper-division computer science courses in a semester without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. All transfer coursework must be approved by faculty before it can count towards a computer science degree, except where equivalency is specified by state regulation.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| C S 311H | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science: Honors | 3 |
| C S 314H | Data Structures: Honors | 3 |
| M 408C or M 408N |
Differential and Integral Calculus or Differential Calculus for Science |
4 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) approved by departmental advisor | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 429H | Computer Organization and Architecture: Honors | 4 |
| C S 118H | Introduction to Computer Science Research: Honors | 1 |
| M 408D or M 408S |
Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus or Integral Calculus for Science |
4 |
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| C S 439H | Principles of Computer Systems: Honors | 4 |
| SDS 321 or M 362K |
Introduction to Probability and Statistics or Probability I |
3 |
| GOV 310L | American and Texas Government | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (080) | 3 | |
| BIO 315H | Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 331H | Algorithms and Complexity: Honors | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| M 340L | Matrices and Matrix Calculations | 3 |
| GOV 312L | Issues and Policies in American Government | 3 |
| BIO 325H | Genetics: Honors | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S Honors | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language and Culture | 3 | |
| GEO 303 | Introduction to Geology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S Honors | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language and Culture | 3 | |
| C S 103F | Ethical Foundations of Computer Science | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S Honors | 3 | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division C S | 3 | |
| Math or Science course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| C S 379H | Computer Science Honors Thesis | 3 |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
Additional biology, chemistry, or physics sequence (see major requirements) | ||
| Introduction to Geology | ||
or GEO 301 | Physical Geology | |
| Hours chosen from: Upper-division computer science | 9 | |
| C S 118H | Introduction to Computer Science Research: Honors | 1 |
| C S 379H | Computer Science Honors Thesis | 3 |
| Hours chosen from: | 1 | |
| Contemporary Issues in Computer Science | ||
| Ethical Foundations of Computer Science | ||
| Approved course | ||
| Subtotal | 17 | |
| Major (see details below) | 49 | |
| Subtotal | 49 | |
| Degree (see details below) | 6 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 15 | |
| Subtotal | 21 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 33 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | 33 | |
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
The courses the student chooses to fulfill requirements above must be approved by the Turing Scholars program director. In addition to C S 429H, C S 118H, and C S 379H, at least five upper-division Computer Science courses must be honors courses. The honors thesis the student completes in C S 379H must be approved by the program director.
Students in the Turing Scholars program, must maintain a University grade point average of at least 3.25 and a grade point average in computer science of at least 3.25; in rare circumstances, this grade point average requirement will be waived for students whose honors thesis has been judged by the Department of Computer Science Undergraduate Thesis Committee to be truly outstanding. In addition to this grade point average requirement, students must know and abide by the academic and disciplinary policies given in this catalog and in the General Information Catalog. Those who fail to do so will be considered for academic dismissal from the Turing Scholars program. Under special circumstances and at the discretion of the director, a student will be allowed to continue in the program under academic review. A student who is academically dismissed from the program may enter another computer science program if he or she fulfills the scholastic standards for continuance in the University given in General Information. Students in scholastic difficulty should discuss their problems with a Turing Scholars program academic advisor and the director.
Major-Computer Science (BSCompSci)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a sequence below: | 8 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Differential and Integral Calculus | ||
| Sequences, Series, and Multivariable Calculus | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Differential Calculus for Science | ||
| Integral Calculus for Science | ||
| Multivariable Calculus | ||
| M 340L | Matrices and Matrix Calculations | 3 |
| or M 341 | Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory | |
| M 362K | Probability I | 3 |
| or SDS 321 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics | |
| Choose a sequence below: | 6 | |
| Sequence 1: | ||
| Introductory Biology I | ||
| Introductory Biology II | ||
| Sequence 2: | ||
| Advanced Introduction to Genetics: Honors | ||
| Genetics: Honors | ||
| Sequence 3: | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
or CH 301C | Foundations of Chemistry I | |
| Principles of Chemistry II | ||
or CH 302C | Foundations of Chemistry II | |
| Sequence 4: Choose from of the following PART A and B | ||
| PART A | ||
Sequence 1: | ||
| Engineering Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
Sequence 2: | ||
| Mechanics | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 301 | ||
Sequence 3: | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302K, 303K, and 317K | ||
| AND PART B | ||
Sequence 1: | ||
| Engineering Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
Sequence 2: | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Laboratory for Physics 316 | ||
Sequence 3: | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Laboratory For Physics 302L, 303L, and 317L | ||
| C S 311 | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science (minimum grade of C- within two attempts) | 3 |
| or C S 311H | Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science: Honors | |
| C S 331 | Algorithms and Complexity (minimum grade of C- within two attempts) | 3 |
| or C S 331H | Algorithms and Complexity: Honors | |
| C S 314 | Data Structures (minimum grade of C- within one attempt) | 3 |
| or C S 314H | Data Structures: Honors | |
| C S 429 | Computer Organization and Architecture (minimum grade of C- within two attempts) | 4 |
| or C S 429H | Computer Organization and Architecture: Honors | |
| C S 439 | Principles of Computer Systems (minimum grade of C- within two attempts) | 4 |
| or C S 439H | Principles of Computer Systems: Honors | |
| Hours chosen from: Additional upper-division C S | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 49 | |
Degree-Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCompSci)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: foreign language/culture choices (Students in Computer Science Honors, and Honors Computer Science and Business are exempt from this requirement) | 6 | |
First course in a foreign language and a three-semester-hour course in the culture of the same language area | ||
Two three-semester-hour courses in one foreign culture area. The courses must be chosen from an approved list available in the dean’s office and the college advising centers. https://cns.utexas.edu/students/degrees-majors-advising/university-core-curriculum/foreign-culture-requirement | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Additional Requirements and Policies
Students must also earn a grade of at least C- in each mathematics and science course required for the degree, and a grade point average in these courses of at least 2.00. More information about grades and the grade point average is given in the General Information Catalog.The student must consult the faculty advisor each semester regarding order and choice of work.
At least 21 semester hours of upper-division coursework in computer science must be completed in residence at the University.
An undergraduate may not enroll in any computer science course more than once without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. No student may enroll in any computer science course more than twice. No student may take more than three upper-division computer science courses in a semester without written consent of an undergraduate advisor in computer science. All transfer coursework must be approved by faculty before it can count towards a computer science degree, except where equivalency is specified by state regulation.
Turing Scholars in Computer Science
Application to the Turing Scholars program is separate from, and in addition to, application to the University. Application materials and information about deadlines are available in the Department of Computer Science and on the Turing Scholars website. Students may enter the program either as freshmen or after they have enrolled at the University. Factors in the admission decision are the student’s high school grades and class rank, the rigor of the courses the student has taken, the quality of the required application essays, and the student’s interest and aptitude in math, science, and computing as demonstrated by extracurricular activities.
Admission-to-Major: Computer Science
To apply for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science the student must have earned a grade of C- or better in entry-level courses C S 312 and C S 311/C S 311H within two attempts and earned a C- or better in entry-level course C S 314/C S 314H within only one attempt. Upon enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin, all remaining entry-level courses must be taken in residence.
It is recommended that students complete all of the entry-level courses in residence at the University. However, students may request that transfer courses taken prior to enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin be approved as substitutes for the entry-level courses. The letter grades for approved transfer courses will be used in combination with entry-level courses taken in residence to calculate the grade point average required for admission to the major. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 2.00 in all courses taken in residence, and a C- or better in Computer Science 312, 311/311H, and 314/314H.
A student who is not admitted to the major may submit an appeal to the department through their advisor.
Students should consult advisors in the College of Natural Sciences Department of Computer Science for information about admission to the major.