Dual Degree Program in Computer Science and Engineering
Students with a computer science major who also are interested in engineering are able to receive both a Bachelor of Science degree (computer science major) from UW-La Crosse and a Bachelor of Science degree (engineering major) from UW-Madison. At UW-La Crosse, students must complete a minimum of 82 credits, including the Core General Education Requirements and specific math and science courses in preparation for the engineering program. Students are recommended to include the following courses in their work at UW-La Crosse:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 103 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CS 120 | Software Design I | 4 |
| CS 220 | Software Design II | 4 |
| CS 224 | Introduction to Programming Language | 1-3 |
| CS 225 | Discrete Computational Structures 1 | 4 |
| CS 270 | Introduction to Assembler Programming, C Programming and Computer Organization | 3 |
| CS 340 | Software Design III: Abstract Data Types | 4 |
| CS 370 | Computer Architecture | 3 |
| CS 421 | Programming Language Concepts | 3 |
| CS 440 | Software Design IV: Software Engineering | 3 |
| CS 441 | Operating System Concepts | 3 |
| CS 442 | Structures of Compilers | 3 |
| ECO 110 | Microeconomics and Public Policy | 3 |
| ECO 120 | Global Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECO 336 | Women in the U.S. Economy | 3 |
| MTH 207 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 208 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MTH 308 | Linear Algebra with Differential Equations | 4 |
| MTH 371 | Scientific Computing and Numerical Methods | 4 |
| PHY 203 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 204 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHY 306 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| STAT 245 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Students should consult with the computer science department chair for specific course and sequence advising for this agreement.
Students who express interest in the dual degree program will be selected for entrance into the UW-Madison portion of the program based on their GPA in all course work; their GPA in the chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics course work required by the program; and the positive recommendation of the UW-La Crosse computer science department chair (or designee). The dual degree engineering agreement with UW-Madison has additional requirements for eligibility, including Wisconsin resident status and that students must have enrolled in UW-La Crosse from high school (rather than transferring to UWL). Admission to UW-Madison is not guaranteed.
In order to receive the B.S. degree from UW-La Crosse, students must also complete credits (to total a minimum of 120 credits) in engineering at UW-Madison and transfer these credits to UW-La Crosse. For the typical student, the remaining credits must include at least eight credits at the 300 level or above. This transfer of credits and awarding of the B.S. degree by UWL can take place as soon as the student earns the necessary credits.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements.
College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Science core requirements
B.S. students graduating from the College of Science & Health are required to take:
- Two MTH/STAT courses or one MTH/STAT course and one CS course
Course List Code Title Credits Introduction to Computing 1 Introduction to Python Programming 1 Software Design I 1 Introduction to Computational Thinking 1 Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers I 1 Mathematics for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers II 1 Mathematics for Decision Making 1 College Algebra 1 Precalculus 1 Mathematics for Business 1 Applied Calculus 1 Calculus I 1 Calculus II 1 Mathematics for Middle School Teachers I 1 Mathematics for Middle School Teachers II 1 Mathematical Models in Biology 1 Elementary Statistics 1
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Course may also satisfy a Core General Education Requirement.
- Two laboratory science courses, one of the two courses must be from a department outside of the student's major department:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Biological Anthropology 1 | ||
| Biology for the Informed Citizen 1 | ||
| General Biology 1 | ||
| Organismal Biology | ||
| Animal Biology | ||
| Plant Biology | ||
| General Chemistry I 1 | ||
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Sport Science I | ||
| Earth Environments 1 | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Earth Surface Processes and Landforms | ||
| Microbes and Society 1 | ||
| Fundamental Physics I 1 | ||
| Fundamental Physics II | ||
| Physical Science for Educators 1 | ||
| Solar System Astronomy 1 | ||
| Stars, Galaxies and the Universe 1 | ||
| General Physics I 1 | ||
| General Physics II |
Notes: Mathematics courses can be pairs, i.e. MTH 150 and MTH 151.
- In addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, students from non-exempted programs2 must complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with students’ academic advisor.
- Complete a second major; or
- Complete a minor outside the major; or
- Complete two certificates outside the major with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or
- Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits
- At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department.
- The remaining six credits should come from
- 100 level or higher courses outside the major (all courses used to meet these requirements must be in addition to the minimum credits required in the Core General Education Requirements); or
- 300/400 level courses inside major not being used to fulfill major requirements.
- Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.
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The list of exempted CSH programs is on the CSH catalog page.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
Core General Education Program
The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CS 120 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 | CS 220 | 4 |
| MTH 207 (CSH Core) | 4 | CS 2251 | 4 |
| ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy) | 3 | CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy) | 3 |
| UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success) | 2 | MTH 208 | 4 |
| CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us | 3 | ECO 110 (CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies) | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CS 270 | 3 | CS 370 | 3 |
| CS 340 | 4 | PHY 204 | 4 |
| MTH 308 | 4 | CS 224 | 3 |
| PHY 203 (CSH Core - Lab Science) | 4 | STAT 245 | 4 |
| HPR 105 (CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet) | 3 | CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World | 3 |
| 18 | 17 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CS 440 | 3 | CS 442 | 3 |
| CS 441 | 3 | CS 421 | 3 |
| ECO 336 (CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States) | 3 | MTH 371 (or CS elective) | 4 |
| CHM 103 (CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science) | 5 | ECO 120 | 3 |
| CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell | 3 | PHY 306 | 3 |
| CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 1 | CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 2 |
| Complete CS major field test2 | |||
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | ||
| Transfer to Engineering Program to complete requirements. | |||
| 0 | |||
| Total Credits: 105 | |||