Computer Science + Physics, BS
Physics focuses on quantitative descriptions for the behavior of physical systems. Computer science has a natural place in the study of physics. Computer science enables much more advanced computation than that available using pen and paper. These computational advances dramatically increase the complexity of physical systems that can be described quantitatively.
The Illinois CS+Physics program blends our physics and computer science degrees to give students the skills to both understand and carry out quantitative models of physical systems. This collaboration between Computer Science and Physics provides an innovative program for students who are interested in the intersection between computing and physics.
Students in the CS + Physics program will develop mastery in areas ranging from numerical methods and machine learning to algorithms for computational science and quantum computing. The program combines the domain expertise in Physics, including its computational aspects, with the broad-based expertise in computing from Computer Science. This unique approach allows students to bridge these two areas.
Students enrolled in CS+Physics have ample opportunity to explore both their interests in Physics and Computer Science through the selection of technical electives. In consultation with the academic advisor, each student will elect a set of technical courses broadening their knowledge of both Physics and Computer Science. Technical electives add a minimum of seventeen (17) hours to the core Physics and Computer Science combined curriculum.
The top-10 rated Physics and Computer Science programs provide students the unique opportunity to receive instruction from the top scientists in both subjects.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science plus Physics
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours
Minimum Technical GPA: 2.0.
TGPA is required for CS, Math, and Physics courses. See Technical GPA to clarify requirements.
Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
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 third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Major Requirements
Orientation and Professional Development
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 100 | Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 |
| PHYS 110 | Physics Careers | 0 |
| Highly recommended, optional 1 credit hour course, CS 100 Computer Science Orientation. Credit hour counts toward free electives. | ||
| Total Hours | 1 | |
Foundational Mathematics and Science
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 221 | Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.) | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| MATH 241 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | 3-4 |
| or MATH 416 | Abstract Linear Algebra | |
| MATH 285 | Intro Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | University Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | University Physics: Elec & Mag | 4 |
| PHYS 213 | Univ Physics: Thermal Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 214 | Univ Physics: Quantum Physics | 2 |
| CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3-4 |
| or STAT 400 | Statistics and Probability I | |
| Total Hours | 32-34 | |
Computer Science Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Choose one of the following options: | 8-9 | |
| Computer Architecture and System Programming | ||
| OR | ||
| Introduction to Computer Systems | ||
& Two CS 400-level courses | ||
| CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 |
| CS 357 | Numerical Methods I | 3 |
| or CS 450 | Numerical Analysis | |
| CS Technical Elective | Any 400-level CS course above CS 403, excluding CS 491, and distinct from any 400-level courses taken to satisfy other requirements. | 3 |
| Total Hours | 32-33 | |
Physics Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 225 | Relativity & Math Applications | 2 |
| PHYS 246 | Physics on the Silicon Prairie: An Introduction to Modern Computational Physics | 2 |
| PHYS 325 | Classical Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 435 | Electromagnetic Fields I | 3 |
| PHYS 486 | Quantum Physics I | 3-4 |
| or PHYS 485 | Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory | |
| PHYS 446 | Modern Computational Physics | 3 |
| PHYS technical elective: Choose from CS or PHYS 300- or 400- level courses | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 30-31 | |
Free Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Additional coursework, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. | 13 - 17 | |
| Total Minimum Hours of Curriculum to Graduate | 128 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science plus Physics
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. For more information see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
Free Electives: Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 221 (MATH 220 may be substituted) | 4 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| PHYS 110 | 0 | PHYS 211 | 4 |
| ENG 100 (External transfer students take ENG 300.) | 1 | CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 | CS 173 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) | 4-3 | General Education (Choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course) or Composition I | 3-4 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 241 | 4 | MATH 285 | 3 |
| PHYS 212 | 4 | PHYS 213 | 2 |
| PHYS 225 | 2 | PHYS 214 | 2 |
| CS 225 | 4 | PHYS 246 | 2 |
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 | CS 233 or 340 | 4-3 |
| CS 222 | 1 | ||
| General Education course (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 3 | ||
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MATH 257 (MATH 416 may be substituted.) | 3 | CS 357 (or CS 450) | 3 |
| PHYS 325 | 3 | PHYS 435 | 3 |
| CS 361 (STAT 400 may be substituted) | 3 | CS Technical Elective course | 3 |
| PHYS Technical Elective course | 3 | PHYS Technical Elective course | 3 |
| General Education (Advanced Composition) course | 3 | Language Other Than English (3rd level) course | 4 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| PHYS 485 (PHYS 486 may be substituted) | 3 | PHYS 446 | 3 |
| CS 374 | 4 | PHYS Technical Elective course | 4 |
| Free elective course | 3 | PHYS Technical Elective course | 4 |
| Free elective course | 3 | CS 341 (or CS Technical Elective course) | 4 |
| Free elective course | 3 | Free elective course | 2 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours 128 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science plus Physics
The Department of Physics Undergraduate Studies Office—together with guidance from the Physics Undergraduate Studies Committee—will work to collect, compile, evaluate, and report on the learning outcomes for its courses. This work will include, but not be limited to:
- Informal Early Feedback:
Students in each major-specific course will be invited to participate in a survey to help the department and instructors evaluate the students’ understanding of the course learning objectives, outcomes, and course goals. Summary reports will be made available to instructors and the department leadership. - Evaluation of Direct Student Learning and Other Summative Learning Assessments:
Final examinations (i.e., questions and student work) will be collected for evaluation of learning outcomes. This will include evaluation of the assessments’ usefulness in evaluation of learning outcomes, as well as the mastery of the outcomes by students. Anonymized student work will be used for the evaluation. Summary reports will be made available to instructors and the Department leadership.
Additionally, CS will follow its standard student outcomes assessment process for the core CS courses, in the same manner as it uses for continuous assessment of the CS BS program. - Indirect Evaluation of Student Learning:
Indirect measures of student learning will include current enrollment, including demographic information. - Degree completion rates, including information regarding:
- Semesters to completion
- Degree program requirements
- Semesters to complete specified intra-degree program requirements
- Choke-points in degree completion progression
- Course updates and revisions
- Desirable new courses
- Demographic trends
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science plus Physics
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