Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2016-2017 Previous Edition

Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, B.A.


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Program Description


Within the College of Computing and Informatics, the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Computer Science are fulfilled by completing specific concentrations designed to best prepare students to match the diverse requirements of employers.  They also prepare students to pursue graduate studies in related areas.  The program is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in one of the following concentrations: 

The B.A. program requires a compact set of a computer science core (15 credit hours).  In addition to one of three primary computer science concentrations, the program also requires 15 credit hours of a second concentration in a non-computer science discipline, satisfied by a second major, a minor, or a set of coordinated courses developed through consultation with an advisor.  Graduates of the B.A. program are thus expected to have knowledge and skill in computer science, plus a complementary discipline to which computing applies. The emphasis in this program is less theoretical/mathematical, and more on the applied side of computing.

Under this program, the requirements for the B.A. degree may be fulfilled by completing any of the three concentrations.  The Concentration in Information Technology emphasizes usability, security, and reliability of IT infrastructures, as well as writing and communications skills.  The Concentration in Human-Computer Interaction emphasizes the design, development, and implementation of interactive systems from a human-centric perspective.  These two concentrations prepare students for a wide variety of jobs or graduate studies.  The Concentration in Financial Services Informatics is designed to meet the needs of the financial services sector with a unique combination of finance and information technology courses, industry internships, and sponsored capstone projects.

A common feature of this degree program is that students in all concentrations must complete a course in critical thinking (PHIL 1106 ) and a course in ethics that addresses issues of information technology.  ITIS 2211  satisfies the requirement of LBST 2211  and fulfills both departmental and General Education requirements for a course in ethical issues and cultural critique.

Degree Requirements


General Education Courses (40 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education program .  Students majoring in Computer Science should plan on taking the following courses that meet general education and major requirements:

Inquiry into the Sciences (10 credit hours)


  • XXXX XXXX - Natural Science with Lab (4)
  • XXXX XXXX - Natural Science (3)
  • XXXX XXXX - Social Science (3)

Liberal Education for Private and Public Life (12 credit hours)


  • LBST 110X - Arts and Society (3)

Major Requirements (39 credit hours)


Critical Thinking Course (3 credit hours)


Advanced Statistics Course (3 credit hours)


Restricted Elective Related Courses (15 credit hours)


Select 15 elective credit hours in related courses. This requirement may also be satisfied by a second major or a minor.  Students should select courses in consultation with the department and/or their advisor.

Additional Degree Requirements


Concentration Courses (39 credit hours)


Concentration Writing Courses (6 credit hours)


Select 6 credit hours of writing intensive (W) courses .

Concentration Technical Elective Courses (9 credit hours)


Select three elective courses from 3000- or 4000-level courses offered by the College of Computing and Informatics, excluding the courses listed above.

Unrestricted Elective Courses (2 credit hours)


As needed.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


By participating in the Cooperative Education program, students in a Computer Science degree program may pursue their education along with alternating semesters of full-time work experiences so that they may be better prepared to enter their chosen professional career. Interested students should contact the University Career Center for more information.

Experiential Learning and Service Opportunities


Students are encouraged to participate in professional work experiences in support of their academic and career development through the cooperative education, 49ership, internship, and service programs offered to them. The College of Computing and Informatics works with the University Career Center to expand experiential learning offerings to enable more students to graduate with career-related experience.  For more information about experiential learning opportunities, please see the University Career Center section  in this Catalog.

Grade Requirements


The GPA requirement for all Computer Science undergraduate degree programs is 2.0 or above in each of the following three categories:  (1) all courses applied to the degree, (2) all courses in the major, and (3) all upper-division courses in the major. 

Honors Program


For details about the College of Computing and Informatics Honors Program, visit the program page .

Suggested Curriculum


For the suggested course sequence toward completing the major, please see the Academic Plan of Study available online at academics.uncc.edu.  Consultation with an advisor is required.

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