Computer Science (BS)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Computer Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Computer Science majors from Advising:
- Your ability to graduate with this major in four traditional years may be impacted by your math placement. If you start in MATH 100, you will either need to take summer courses at Loyola, or you may need to extend your path to graduation beyond four years.
- Please take the math placement assessment if you do not have ACT, SAT, AP scores, or a final high school transcript that will place you in MATH 118 or higher at the time of your registration.
- If you receive a math placement of 161, that means you are eligible to take either MATH 131: Applied Calculus (3 credits) or MATH 161: Calculus (4 credits), two different Calculus tracks. You can learn more information about the differences between Math 161 and Math 131 here. For your major, MATH 131 is the department recommendation as it will be tailored to the math that you will need and will leave more room in your schedule for other coursework.
- Remember to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- This is a large major in terms of credits and academic requirements. It may not be practical to consider a double major, but pursuing a minor or studying abroad may be possible with careful planning.
- Please keep in mind that many COMP classes (particularly intro COMP classes) are only offered online. If you are an international student, please make sure you are enrolled in no more than one online class for the semester to comply with your F1 visa.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Computer Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- COMP 141 (3 credits)
- One of the following math courses based on your math placement:
- MATH 100, MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 131 (3 credits) or MATH 161 (4 credits)
- One of the following depending on previous programming experience (3 credits):
- COMP 150 (recommended for students with no Computer Science experience)
- COMP 163 (if at MATH 118 placement or higher)
- COMP 170 (if at MATH 131 or higher)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Two of the following Core classes (6 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100C, UCLR 100E, or UCLR 100M
- Foundational Scientific Knowledge: ENVS 101
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Ethics Knowledge: PHIL 181, PHIL 182, THEO 185, or THEO 186
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16-17 credits.
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Computer Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- COMP 141 (3 credits)
- One of the following math courses based on your math placement:
- MATH 100, MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 131 (3 credits) or MATH 161 (4 credits)
- One of the following depending on previous programming experience (3 credits):
- COMP 150 (recommended for students with no Computer Science experience)
- COMP 163 (if at MATH 118 placement or higher)
- COMP 170 (if at MATH 131 or higher)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16-17 credits.
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Computer Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.