Computer Science + Crop Sciences, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences
Computer Science + Crop Sciences (CS+CPSC) is a first-of-its-kind partnership between The Grainger College of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science and the Department of Crop Sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
Our growing population and changing climate demand out-of-the-box, multidisciplinary thinkers who can handle increasingly rich data sets. CS+CPSC students fill this crucial gap in the agriculture sector, combining a strong technical background with crop sciences expertise powerful enough to change the world.
Students will be among the first to analyze robotics-enabled soil and field measurements, predict weather and climate impacts on food supplies, and accelerate plant improvement through the simultaneous analysis of genetics, environment, and management.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences
Please see the Computer Science advisor in 1210 Siebel Center, as well as the Crop Sciences advisor in AE-116 Turner Hall.
To graduate from the Computer Science and Crop Sciences curriculum, a student must complete the following courses, all of which must be taken for a traditional letter grade.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
fulfilled by CPSC 112 and any other course approved as Natural Sciences & Technology | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-8 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department Foundation | ||
| Communication Option: | 3 or 6 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | ||
| Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | ||
| ACES 101 | Contemporary Issues in ACES | 2 |
| Crop Sciences Core | ||
| CPSC 102 | Foundational Skills in Crop Sciences | 2 |
| CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 4 |
| CPSC 212 | Introduction to Plant Protection | 4 |
| CPSC 393 | Crop Sciences Internship | 3 |
| or CPSC 395 | Undergrad Research or Thesis | |
| CPSC 498 | Crop Sci Professional Develpmt | 1 |
| Computer Science Core | ||
| CS 100 | Computer Science Orientation (recommended) | 1 |
| CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| CS 128 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 |
| CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 |
| CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 |
| Computer Science Technical Track | ||
| Choose from the following options: | ||
| Computer Architecture and System Programming | ||
| OR | ||
| CS 340 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 3 |
& Any two (2) 400-level CS courses except CS 491 | ||
| Mathematical Foundations | ||
| MATH 220 | Calculus | 4 or 5 |
| or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2-4 |
| or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | |
| or MATH 415 | Applied Linear Algebra | |
| or MATH 416 | Abstract Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3 |
| Foundational Data Analytics | ||
| CPSC 440 | Applied Statistical Methods I | 4 |
| CPSC 444 | Introduction to Spatial Analytics | 4 |
| Crop Sciences Electives | ||
| At least one 3-hour 400-level CPSC/HORT/PLPA course | 3 | |
| Any CPSC/HORT/PLPA course except CPSC 241 | 3 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 126 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences
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.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. CPSC 112 will count as one of the natural sciences and technology general education requirements. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 100 | 1 | CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 | CS 173 | 3 |
| MATH 220 or 221 | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| CPSC 102 | 2 | CPSC 112 | 4 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 3 | Communication Option or Composition I | 4 |
| ACES 101 | 2 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 222 | 1 | CPSC 212 | 4 |
| CS 225 | 4 | CS 233 or 340 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 2 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 225, 257, 415, or 416 | 2 | CS 374 | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | CS 361 | 3 |
| CS 341 (or CS 4XX course except CS 491) | 4 | CS 4XX | 3 |
| CPSC 393 or 395 | 3 | Free Elective Course or CS 4XX course except CS 491 | |
| CPSC 440 | 4 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| CPSC 498 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| CPSC 444 | 4 | Any CPSC/HORT/PLPA course (except CPSC 241) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| CPSC, PLPA or HORT 4XX Elective Course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 126 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences
Computer Science component:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.
Crop Sciences component:
- Demonstrate knowledge in the key subject matter areas of applied plant biology; crop growth and development; crop management and protection; and soil science.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify a problem and develop solutions using quantitative reasoning skills for analysis of biological data.
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills necessary to listen and make effective arguments, to share applied scientific concepts with the public, and to make use of a broad variety of media.
- Demonstrate an ability to lead and function in multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform self-guided discovery in agricultural sciences, practicing skills of engagement to enhance intellectual curiosity.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Computer Science + Crop Sciences
Crop Sciences
Crop Sciences website
AW-101 Turner Hall
MC-046
1102 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3420
cropsciences@illinois.edu
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website
ACES Office of Academic Programs
128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Advising
Advising Website
(217) 333-3570
Undergraduate Advising Email: ugrad@cropsciences.illinois.edu
Graduate Advising Email: grad@cropsciences.illinois.edu
Admissions
ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Admissions
(217) 333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu