Computer Science + Education: Learning Sciences, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Education, Learning Sciences concentration


The Computer Science + Education, BS is sponsored jointly by the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. The major in Computer Science and Education is a flexible program for undergraduate students who plan to pursue careers in either field and offers two foci of concentration.

The Learning Sciences concentration explores how technology can be intentionally designed to enhance and expand educational experiences. Innovations such as social media, virtual and augmented reality, data analytics, and mobile or wearable devices are transforming how people teach and learn in both formal and informal settings. This program equips students for success in a wide range of career paths—whether pursuing graduate study or entering the workforce in software development, educational publishing, school districts, game design, research organizations, and other education-focused industries.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Education, Learning Sciences concentration


To graduate from the Computer Science and Education curriculum, a student must complete all courses with a traditional letter grade.

Orientation Seminar
EDUC 101Education Orientation Seminar1

The following degree requirements also meet general education course requirements and must be selected from the campus General Education course list. 

General Education Requirements
Composition
Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3-4
Quantitative Reasoning
See Computer Science Core and Mathematical Foundations for specific requirement.
Natural Sciences and Technology
From approved campus list6
Humanities and the Arts
From approved campus list6
Social and Behavioral Sciences
From approved campus list6
Cultural Studies
Western Culture(s) from approved campus list3
U.S. Minority Culture(s) from approved campus list3
Non-Western Culture(s) from approved campus list 3
Language other than English
Three years of one language other than English in high school or competion of the third semester of college-level language0-12
Computer Science Core Requirements (fulfills Quantitative Reasoning)
CS 124Introduction to Computer Science I3
CS 128Introduction to Computer Science II3
CS 173Discrete Structures3
CS 222Software Design Lab1
CS 225Data Structures4
CS 374Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation4
Choose 1 from:8-9
Computer Architecture
and System Programming
OR
Introduction to Computer Systems
& Two CS 4XX
Any two (2) 400-level CS courses
Choose 1 from:3
Numerical Methods I
Programming Languages & Compilers
Mathematical Foundations (fulfills Quantitative Reasoning)
CS 361Probability & Statistics for Computer Science3
MATH 220Calculus4-5
or MATH 221 Calculus I
MATH 231Calculus II3
Choose 1 from:2-3
Introductory Matrix Theory
Linear Algebra for Data Science
Linear Algebra with Computational Applications
Concentration
Students must complete 36-39 credit hours within one of the following areas of concentration: 1) Learning Science or 2) Secondary Education.36-39
Electives
Electives 0-8
Total Hours120
 
College of Education Foundations
EPOL 201Foundations of Education3-4
or EPOL 202 Foundations of Education-ACP
Choose 3 from:9-10
Language Varieties, Cultures and Learning
Race and Cultural Diversity
Educational Psychology
Child Development in Education
Psychology of Learning in Education
The Culture of Disability
Learning Sciences Core
CI 210Introduction to Digital Learning Environments3
CI 489Educational Technology Capstone Course3
Choose 1 from:3
Introduction to the Brain and Cognitive Science
EPSY 408
Cognitive Psych
Learning and Memory
Brain, Learning, and Memory
Choose 2 from:6
Child Development & Technology
Social Learning and Multimedia
Personality and Soc Dev
Adult Learning and Development
Developments in Educational Psychology (Learning in Everyday Contexts)
Choose 3 from:9
Educational Game Design
Computer Programming and the Classroom
CI 439
Issues and Development in Education (Attention, Learning, and New Technology)
Issues and Development in Education (Designing Learning Spaces)
Total Hours36-38

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Education, Learning Sciences concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence. EPOL 202 will satisfy a College of Education Foundations requirement and the Campus General Education Advanced Composition requirement.  If EPOL 202 is not selected, a separate Advanced Composition course must be taken.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHours
EDUC 1011
CS 1243
MATH 220 or 2214
Composition I or General Education course4
Language Other Than English (3rd level) 4
 16
Total Hours 16
First Year
Second SemesterHours
CI 2103
Composition I or General Education course4
CS 1283
CS 1733
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
CS 2221
CS 2254
MATH 2313
General Education course3
College of Education Foundations course3
 14
Total Hours 14
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
CS 233 or 3404
MATH 257, 227, or 2253
EPOL 201 or 2023
General Education course3
College of Education Foundations course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Third Year
First SemesterHours
CS 341 (or CS 400-level course)4
CS 3613
Learning Sciences Core course3
General Education course3
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
CS 3744
Learning Sciences Core course3
Learning Sciences Core course3
Elective course or CS 400-level course3
 13
Total Hours 13
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
CS 357 or 4213
Learning Sciences Core course3
College of Education Foundations course3
General Education course3
Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
CI 4893
Learning Sciences Core course3
Learning Sciences Core course3
Elective course3
Elective course2
 14
Total Hours 14

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Education, Learning Sciences concentration


  1. Students will acquire deep knowledge of computer science as it relates to the field of Education
  2. Students will display the expectations of professionalism related to success in the field of education and beyond (Fairness, commitment to collaboration, community, reflective practice, and attention to 21st century skills and practices).

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Education, Learning Sciences concentration


College of Education

Education Building
1310 S. Sixth Street, Champaign, IL 61820
College of Education website

Department of Curriculum & Instruction

306 Education Building 
Department of Curriculum & Instruction email: ci@education.illinois.edu
217-244-8286
Department of Curriculum & Instruction website
Department of Curriculum & Instruction faculty

Office of Undergraduate Programs

110 Education Building 
Student Academic Affairs email: saao@education.illinois.edu
217-333-2800
Admissions & Academics website
Student Academic Affairs website

Siebel School of Computing and Data Science

Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science
201 N Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
Department of Computer Science website
Department of Computer Science faculty
Computer Science + Education website