Computer Science + Anthropology, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Anthropology
How do culture and biology shape technology and how does technology impact human biology and culture? Does technology bridge inequalities or make them even wider? Anthropologists use computational tools and algorithms to analyze substantial amounts of data, gathered from field sites, online social communities and social networks, genetic data, and individual and family histories to consider these questions. In computer science + anthropology, students will gain the knowledge necessary to use computer, social, and behavioral sciences within larger cultural questions of globalization, community, security, the ethics of privacy, social transformation, and social justice.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Anthropology
Please see the computer science advisor as well as the anthropology 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). Please see the computer science advisor as well as the anthropology advisor.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 66 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level Anthropology courses 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 1 | 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, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required) | 0-20 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation and Professional Development | ||
| LAS 101 | Design Your First Year Experience | 1 |
OR | ||
| LAS 100 & LAS 101 | Success in LAS for International Students and Design Your First Year Experience | 3 |
OR | ||
| LAS 102 | Transfer Advantage | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 or 3 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core Requirements and Electives | ||
| Required Computer Science Coursework | ||
| 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 first 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 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 |
| CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 |
| 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 Requirements | ||
| MATH 221 | Calculus I | 4-5 |
| or MATH 220 | Calculus | |
| MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2 or 3 |
| or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Required Anthropology Coursework | 24-26 | |
| Anthropology Core Courses. Choose three (3) of the following courses. May select no more than one 100-level course from the list below. | 9 | |
| Introduction to Archaeology | ||
or ANTH 105 | World Archaeology | |
| Sociocultural Anthropology | ||
or ANTH 103 | Anthro in a Changing World | |
| Biological Anthropology | ||
or ANTH 102 | Human Origins and Culture | |
| Language in Culture | ||
or ANTH 104 | Talking Culture | |
| Electives. Select five (5) courses from the following list. Four (4) of these courses need to be at the 300- and 400-level. (Substitutions with permission of advisor) | 15-17 | |
| Humanizing Science | ||
| Human Biological Variation | ||
| Forensic Science | ||
| Images of the Other | ||
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Human Osteology | ||
| 'America' in the World | ||
| Topics in Lang & Culture | ||
| Anth of Science and Technology | ||
| The Culture of Nature | ||
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Research Methods in Socio-Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Writing Ethnography | ||
| Social Organization | ||
| Economic Anthropology | ||
| The Neandertal Debate | ||
| Human Paleontology | ||
| Human Genetics | ||
| Archaeology of Time | ||
| Advanced Skeletal Biology | ||
| Zooarchaeology | ||
| Landscape Archaeology | ||
| Primate Microbial Seminar | ||
| Ethnography through Language | ||
| Pottery Analysis | ||
| Modern Europe | ||
| Senior Capstone Seminar | ||
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Anthropology
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.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| LAS 101 | 1 |
| CS 100 | 1 |
| CS 124 | 3 |
| MATH 221 or 220 | 4 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 | |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 173 | 3 |
| MATH 231 | 3 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 225 | 4 |
| CS 222 | 1 |
| MATH 257 or 225 | 3 |
| ANTH Core course | 3 |
| ANTH Core course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 233 or 340 | 4 |
| STAT 200, 212, or CS 361 | 3 |
| ANTH Core course | 3 |
| ANTH Elective | 3 |
| 13 | |
| Total Hours 13 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 341 (or CS 400-level course) | 4 |
| ANTH Elective (300-400 level) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 | |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 374 | 4 |
| ANTH Elective (300-400 level) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 13 | |
| Total Hours 13 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 |
| ANTH Elective (300-400 level) | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| 14 | |
| Total Hours 14 | |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ANTH Elective (300-400 level) | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course or CS 400-level course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 | |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Anthropology
- A broad knowledge of cultural, social, linguistic and biological facets of the human condition and the methods anthropologists use to study them.
- Ability to conduct independent research through data collection, critical analysis, synthesis, and written presentation of findings.
- An understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of anthropological research and their impacts on society.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences in Computer Science + Anthropology
Department of Anthropology
CS + Anthropology
anthro@illinois.edu
Siebel School of Computing and Data Science
CS + X Degrees
undergrad@cs.illinois.edu
The Grainger College of Engineering website
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Overview of Liberal Arts & Sciences admissions & requirements