Computer Science + Advertising, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
COMPUTER SCIENCE + ADVERTISING is sponsored jointly by the Departments of Computer Science and Advertising. This is a program for students who have an interest in careers in the advertising field with a technology focus. Cloud computing, the availability and ubiquity of data, and the rapid and pervasive adoption of mobile technology have created a paradigm shift in the advertising industry. Projected areas of growth in advertising and communications are in Search Engine Optimization, web analytics, computational advertising, and other emerging areas of technology/media. The degree will prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level as well as immediate entry into the workforce at advertising agencies, businesses with in-house advertising and marketing divisions, and technology companies.
Programs in Advertising
Undergraduate Programs:
major: Advertising, BS
major: Computer Science & Advertising, BS
minors: Media | Public Relations
Graduate Programs:
major: Advertising, MS
major: Strategic Brand Communication, MS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
Please see a computer science advisor in 1210 Siebel Center, as well as an advertising advisor in the College of Media Student Services Center in 18 Gregory Hall.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the Department of Computer Science Office of Undergraduate Affairs by the beginning of the fifth semester (60-75 hours).
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
All campus general education and foreign language requirements must be met. Minimum hours for graduation are 124, to include a minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework at the 300- and 400-level from all elements of the degree. Additional hours needed to reach the minimum of 40 are chosen in consultation with advisor. At least 21 hours of 300- and 400-level course work must be taken on this campus.
To graduate from the Computer Science & Advertising curriculum, a student must complete the following courses, all of which must be taken for a traditional letter grade.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Core | ||
| 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 340 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 3 |
| CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 or 4 |
| Computer Science Technical Electives: Two 400-level courses chosen in consultation with an advisor. These two courses must be above CS 403, not CS 491, and distinct from all other courses used to fulfill program requirements or options. | 6 | |
| Mathematical Foundations (also fulfills QR I and II gen eds.) | ||
| MATH 220 | Calculus | 5 |
| or MATH 221 | Calculus I | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2 or 3 |
| or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | |
| CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3 |
| College of Media Foundations | ||
| Select one from: | 3-4 | |
| Anthro in a Changing World | ||
| Intro Psych | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| or ECON 302 | Inter Microeconomic Theory | |
| BADM 320 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| Advertising Core | ||
| ADV 250 | Advertising and Brand Strategy | 3 |
| ADV 281 | Advertising Research Methods | 3 |
| ADV 284 | Consumer Insight | 3 |
| ADV 360 | Innovations in Advertising | 3 |
| or ADV 483 | Audience Analysis | |
| ADV 390 | Content Creation | 3 |
| ADV 461 | Computational Advertising | 3 |
| ADV 492 | Tech and Advertising Campaigns | 3 |
| Advertising Electives: Any ADV courses not already required for the major. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
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.
Electives are additional courses to help students achieve 124 hours required for the degree. These can often be any level, but students should check with their advisor for specific guidance.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Advertising Elective | 3 | ADV 250 | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 | CS 128 | 3 |
| MATH 220 or 221 | 5-4 | CS 173 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4-3 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3-4 | ||
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 281 | 3 | ADV 284 | 3 |
| CS 222 | 1 | CS 340 | 3 |
| CS 225 | 4 | CS 361 | 3 |
| MATH 257 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective or Language Other Than English (3rd Level) | 4 | ||
| 18 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 390 | 3 | ADV 360 or 483 | 3 |
| CS 374 | 4 | ADV 492 | 3 |
| BADM 320 | 3 | ECON 103 | 3 |
| ECON 102 | 3 | ANTH 103, PSYC 100, or SOC 100 | 3-4 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 | ADV 461 | 3 |
| Advertising elective course | 3 | CS Tech elective course | 3 |
| CS Tech elective course | 3 | Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Elective course | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours 124 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
1. Evaluate the historical, ethical, economic, legal, and social aspects of modern advertising.
2. Conduct research, visualize data, and apply inference and machine learning methods to extract knowledge.
3. Critically evaluate and select audiences for effective and ethical advertising delivery.
4. Create strategic and evidence-driven brand communications.
5. Develop and implement efficient algorithms to solve problems.
6. Develop, analyze, and test software in the advertising context.
7. Collaborate with diverse teams to develop strategic recommendations for clients.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
computer science degree information
cs+advertising website
advertising email: media-ssc@illinois.edu
computer science email: undergrad@cs.illinois.edu
overview of college admissions & requirements
college of media website
grainger college of engineering website