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Computer Science

Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering

The Computer Science major is appropriate for students who are primarily interested in the design of software systems and applications, or who want to earn a double major with another College of Arts and Sciences program.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Topic(s): Computing

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

The primary pathway to Computer Science is through direct admission as a freshman. If you want to major in computer science, be sure to list it as your first-choice major on the freshman application.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

This major is capacity-constrained. Completion of prerequisites does not guarantee admission.
  • Admission is for autumn and spring quarter only. Transfer applicants are considered based on their University transfer application and supplemental material provided to the Allen School.
  • Applicants must identify Computer Science as their intended major, and indicate they will begin the major immediately upon transferring.
  • Applicants interested in transferring from an institution that does not offer equivalent coursework should reach out to the Allen School advising team before applying.
  • Entering transfer applicants must meet requirements by the Allen School supplemental application deadline.

 

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

  • CSE 123 NSc RSN – Introduction to Computer Programming III or CSE 143 NSc RSN – Computer Programming II
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II
  • MATH 126 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry III
  • At least 5 credits of natural science from the list of approved natural science courses on the Allen School website
  • 5 credits of English Composition C

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 1731
Total from Washington community colleges: 128

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 88
3.50 – 3.74: 17
3.25 – 3.49: 10
3.00 – 3.24: <5
2.75 – 2.99: 9
2.50 – 2.74: <5
2.49 and below: <5

Career outcomes

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See list of all majors