Computer Science + Economics, BSLAS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Computer Science + Economics
Few disciplines are more impacted by “big data” than economics—a field with demand for analysts who not only have the sophisticated skills necessary to examine large datasets but also have the ability to write their own algorithms and software tools to do so. The computer science + economics curriculum produces students who can develop both skill sets by providing them with the opportunity to learn a variety of economic analytical skills, both theoretical and empirical, as well as computational skills.
Students in this STEM-designated Bachelor of Science program will be exposed to the tools of both disciplines with the aim of acquiring valuable skills that are in demand by a variety of employers. Graduates will not only be able to work with large datasets, but they will be able to create, analyze, and interpret this information. This major will prepare students for a variety of careers such as banking, finance, insurance, policy centers, and government agencies. In addition, this joint degree is ideal for preparing students for a variety of graduate programs.
Undergraduate Degree Programs in Economics
For further information, please visit the Economics undergraduate program page.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Computer Science + Economics
Please visit the computer science advisor as well as the economics advising office.
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 66 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, or completion of the third semester in two different languages 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: | 3 | |
| Economic Statistics I | ||
| 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 Economics Coursework -- minimum 24 hours | ||
| ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ECON 203 | Economic Statistics II | 3 |
| ECON 302 | Inter Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| Four 400-level courses in Economics selected from an approval list of computation-focused courses | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 66-71 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Computer Science + Economics
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 | Second Semester | Hours |
| Free elective course | 1 | MATH 231 | 3 |
| CS 100 | 1 | CS 128 | 3 |
| MATH 220 or 221 | 4 | ECON 103 or 102 | 3 |
| ECON 102 or 103 | 3 | CS 173 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 225 | 4 | CS 222 | 1 |
| CS 233 or 340 | 4 | CS 341 (or CS 400-level course) | 4 |
| ECON 202 or STAT 200 or STAT 212 or CS 361 | 3 | ECON 203 | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 | Language Other Than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 | CS 400-level course or Free elective course | 3 |
| ECON 302 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| CS 374 | 4 | Free elective course | 3 |
| MATH 225 or 227 | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free elective course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| ECON 400-level course | 3 | ECON 400-level course | 3 |
| ECON 400-level course | 3 | ECON 400-level course | 3 |
| Free elective course | 2 | Free elective course | 2 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Computer Science + Economics
To accomplish the educational objectives and to fulfill accreditation criteria, all economics programs provide the knowledge, experience, and opportunities necessary for students to demonstrate their attainment of the following outcomes:
- Analytical Skills/Problem-Solving: ECON students will effectively visualize, conceptualize, articulate, and solve complex problems or address problems that do not have a clear answer, with available information, through experimentation and observation, using microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, as well as calculus and statistical tools.
- Critical Thinking: ECON students will apply economic analysis to everyday problems helping them to understand events, evaluate specific policy proposals, compare arguments with different conclusions to a specific issue or problem, and assess the role played by assumptions in arguments that reach different conclusions to a specific economic or policy problem.
- Quantitative Reasoning: ECON students will understand how to apply empirical evidence to economic arguments. Specifically, they may obtain and/or collect relevant data, develop empirical evidence using appropriate statistical techniques, and interpret the results of such analyses.
- Specialized Knowledge and Practical Application: ECON students will develop deeper analytical, critical, and quantitative skills in specialized areas by applying economic concepts to real world situations.
- Interdisciplinary Knowledge, Diverse Issues, and Global Consciousness: ECON students will broaden their global and disciplinary knowledge, enhancing their understanding of the world around them both within economics and beyond.
- Communication and Leadership: ECON students will build skills to work as part of a team and lead others, ensuring they are prepared to navigate diverse audiences and situations.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences Major in Computer Science + Economics
CS + X Degrees
CS + Economics
Economics department page
Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website
Grainger College of Engineering website
Economics email: econug@illinois.edu
Computer Science email: undergrad@cs.illinois.edu