Computer Science + Philosophy, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Philosophy
The CS + Philosophy blended bachelor's degree is a partnership between the Department of Philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science in The Grainger College of Engineering. The CS + Philosophy major will prepare you to navigate and push the frontiers of computing where researchers and practitioners often face the same type of questions—from foundational to ethical—that philosophers have tackled for ages. Acquire skills in formal methods, philosophical analysis, and computer programming, all while learning from award-winning faculty invested in the relationship between computer science and philosophy.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Philosophy
Please see the computer science advisor as well as the philosophy advisor.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office by the beginning of the fifth semester (60-75 hours).
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 71-73 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 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 | |
| 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) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-20 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Computer Science Courses | ||
| CS 100 | Computer Science Orientation (recommended; CS 100 is an orientation course aimed at first-year students, so students who declare the major after the freshman year are not required to complete it.) | 1 |
| CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| CS 128 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 |
| CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 |
| CS 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 |
| Choose one of the following combinations | 8-11 | |
| Computer Architecture and System Programming | ||
| OR | ||
| Introduction to Computer Systems | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Statistical Analysis | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | ||
| CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 |
| Mathematics (may also fulfill the General Education Quantitative Reasoning I and II requirements) | ||
| MATH 220 | Calculus | 4-5 |
| or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2 or 3 |
| or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Required Philosophy coursework | ||
| PHIL 222 | Philosophical Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| PHIL 223 | Minds & Machines | 3 |
| PHIL 421 | Ethical Theories | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Metaphysics | ||
| Theory of Knowledge | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Philosophy of Mind | ||
| Philosophy of Language | ||
| Philosophy of Mathematics | ||
| Philosophy of Psychology | ||
| PHIL 454 | Advanced Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| PHIL 499 | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| In consultation with an advisor, choose at least 9 additional hours of coursework in philosophy, with at least 6 of those hours being at the 300- or 400-level. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 68-74 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Philosophy
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 fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| CS 100 - Computer Science Orientation | 1 |
| CS 124 - Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 |
| PHIL 222 - Philosophical Foundations of Computer Science | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 128 - Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 |
| CS 173 - Discrete Structures | 3 |
| PHIL 223 - Minds & Machines | 3 |
| MATH 220 - Calculus or MATH 221 - Calculus I | 5 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 222 - Software Design Lab | 1 |
| CS 225 - Data Structures | 4 |
| MATH 225 - Introductory Matrix Theory or MATH 257 - Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 2 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 233 - Computer Architecture or CS 340 - Introduction to Computer Systems | 4 |
| STAT 200 - Statistical Analysis, STAT 212 - Biostatistics, or CS 361 - Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3 |
| MATH 231 - Calculus II | 3 |
| Language Other than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 341 - System Programming (or CS 400-level course) | 4 |
| PHIL 426 - Metaphysics or PHIL 430 - Theory of Knowledge | 3 |
| PHIL 421 - Ethical Theories | 3 |
| PHIL Course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 374 - Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 400-level course or Free Elective course | 3 |
| PHIL 400-level course from list | 3 |
| PHIL 454 - Advanced Symbolic Logic | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| CS 421 - Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 |
| PHIL 300 - 400 level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 12 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| PHIL 499 - Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| PHIL 300-400 level course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 13 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Philosophy
- Students will become familiar with traditional topics, theories, and debates in epistemology and metaphysics, in ethics and value theory, and in logic; and familiar with current developments in professional philosophy.
- Students will gain an understanding of machine learning and the metaphysical and moral issues rising from artificial intelligence, and the various consequences for human dignity and living.
- Students will develop the ability to analyze persuasive and argumentative prose: identifying the main claims asserted, the reasons alleged to support those claims, and the logical relations between the claims and the reasons, including identifying any gaps in the arguments.
- In addition to formal methods, students will develop the ability to write clearly and with logical precision on a wide range of important issues, including (but not limited to): civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels; social and cultural issues related to race, indigeneity, gender, class, sexuality, language, and disability; and the ways that complex, interdependent global systems—natural, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political—affect and are affected by the local identities and ethical choices of individuals and institutions.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Philosophy
Department of Philosophy
Philosophy Advising
CS + Philosophy
Siebel School of Computing and Data Science
CS + X Degrees
Computer Science email: undergrad@cs.illinois.edu
The Grainger College of Engineering website
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
Please see the computer science advisor as well as the philosophy advisor.