B.A. in Computer Science & Systems

Why pursue a B.A. in Computer Science & Systems?

Computer Science & Systems (CSS) is the science of design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of both the hardware and software elements of computing systems.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science & Systems blends a solid foundation in computer science with a minor in another discipline.

To learn more about the program, please click here.

Top reasons to pursue a B.A. in CSS:

  1. This degree is good for students who know that they want to study computer science but are not sure on a career path in the field yet. The program allows graduates to pursue careers in the field of computing, while it offers them the ability to have a more specialized focus outside of computer science.
  2. It is for students who want more choice and flexibility with their coursework and are interested in obtaining computing skills to pursue careers in fields that use technology in a significant way such as in the health, science, medical or research fields.
  3. You have the option of combining your undergraduate education in computing with another disciplinary area, effectively customizing your degree as “CS + X”. Examples include Computer Science + Math, Computer Science + Communications, Computer Science + Data Analytics, Computer Science + Business.
  4. You have the opportunity to build a portfolio of your work to showcase your abilities to prospective employers when looking for internships and full time employment upon graduation.These skills will prepare you for internships and careers in the rapidly expanding tech industry while equipping you with communication and interpersonal skills that will stand out to employers.
  5. You will work one on one with a faculty mentor and a cohort of other BA students in your junior and senior years meeting weekly to build the portfolio, to tie the major with a minor, and prepare for the next step in your career.

Research and Internship Opportunities

Senior-level students can explore their areas of interest, complemented by the expertise of the faculty and industry, through research, directed reading, and internship opportunities.

  • Industry partner internships at software development design and implementation companies provide work experience, which complements the curriculum and can serve as an on-ramp to the high-tech workforce. 
  • Undergraduate research, under the supervision of a CSS faculty member, allows students to explore research in preparation for graduate school or to strengthen their educational experience for industry.

See the SET Find a Research Project and Internships and Careers pages for tips on finding opportunities to explore your interests and gain experience.

Employment Opportunities

Our alumni have graduated and gone on to pursue fulfilling careers in many different fields. Meet some of our alumni below:

  • Kailey Cozart SET ‘20 Math Minor: Hosting Technician at Light House Law Group
  • Demarco Best II SET ‘21 Economics Minor Contract associate Software Developer at Alaska Airlines
  • Jordan Holland SET ‘20 Technical communications Minor Contracting with Revature

 

Have questions? Schedule an appointment with on of our Academic Advisors! 

Schedule an advising appointment

Want a more in-depth CSS program?

Bachelor of Science in CSS

The B.S. in CSS degree emphasizes the theoretical foundation and practical experience necessary for a career in software specification, development, design, and implementation or for graduate studies.

What is the difference between the BA CSS degree and the BS CSS degree?

Both degrees are computer science degrees, both require the same prerequisites to apply for the major, and the core computer science concepts and skills you learn in each degree program are the same. What is different is the emphasis on how those fundamental concepts are used later in the program.

What do the BA and BS have in common?

The admission requirements (math, science, computer science) are the same.

Fundamental topics of study in the major:

  • Fundamentals of programming and software development principles (TCSS 305, 360)
  • Discrete mathematics foundation (TCSS 321)
  • Machine organization (TCSS 372)
  • Data structures (TCSS 342)
  • Computers, ethics, and society (TCSS 325)

Opportunities to take 400-level CSS electives, including internship (TCSS 497), directed readings (TCSS 498) and directed research (TCSS 499).

What do you do in the BA that you do not do in the BS degree?

You must minor in a field that is not computer science, which will encourage interdisciplinary thinking and problem solving.

You are required to build a portfolio of all your coursework related to computing. This serves two purposes: (1) to synthesize the computer science knowledge you learned with the knowledge you learned in your minor and (2) to provide a narrative of your skills that will not only help you identify what you know and how you can apply it, but also as a way to explain to a prospective employer who you are and what you can do.

What do you do in the BS that you do not do in the BA degree?

Additional core courses:

  • Computer architecture and operating systems (TCSS 372, 422)
  • Algorithm design and analysis (TCSS 343)
  • Programming language concepts (TCSS 380)

Required to take at least one 400-level project course.

Required to take many 400-level electives to broaden your knowledge in computer science.

Learn about the B.S. in CSS program

Application Overview

The CSS B.A. application process is different from the CSS B.S. program. Please apply to one or the other, if you are interested in the CSS major, not both. 

Beginning Autumn 2024, the CSS B.A. program admits in Autumn quarters only. 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the CSS major is competitive. Please review the following prerequisites and application process carefully.

Prerequisites

To qualify for admission, you must first be admitted to UWT and have completed the following prerequisites: 

  • Calculus I (TMATH 124 or equivalent)
  • Statistics (TMATH 110 or equivalent)
  • TCSS 101 or TCSS 141 (or other introductory CS/programming course) 
  • Introduction to Programming (Java) (TCSS 142 or equivalent)
  • Object-Oriented Programming (Java) (CSS 143 or equivalent) 

*All pre-requisite courses must be completed in the last seven years

GPA requirements

  • Required cumulative prerequisite GPA of at least 2.5, with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each individual prerequisite course.
  • Required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college coursework. 

Ready to Apply?

Before starting the application, make sure you're ready to apply:

  • You've been admitted to UW Tacoma and met the requirements to apply to the major (previous tab).

  • You have completed at least 45 college-level credits.

  • You completed the prerequisite courses listed in the Admission Requirements tab.

  • You've earned a minimum grade of 2.0 in each prerequisite course and maintain a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5.

CSS Application - B.A.

Transfer Admission

Notes for transfer students:

  • You may need one additional approved lab-based science course (Chemistry I -TCHEM 142 or Biology I - TBIOL 120) to meet the total number of lab science credits required (18 minimum) for graduation. 
  • UW Seattle and UW Bothell students seeking to transfer to UW Tacoma also need to have a transfer application on file to be considered for admission.
  • If you are not admitted to UWT, you cannot be admitted to a SET major, but you may hold off on accepting your offer of admission to UWT until you have your program admissions decision. 
  • Transfer students at Washington State community colleges are encouraged to pursue the Associate in Science - Transfer Track 2 to meet the admission requirements. Use the UW Course Equivalency Guide to determine the equivalent prerequisites at your school. 

Curriculum

Courses

Foundation Courses

Core Courses

All prerequisites must be completed before you can advance to the next academic level; advanced concentration courses build upon knowledge gained in the core courses.

All courses within the major must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 (including TCSS 142 and 143). If you don't earn a 2.0 or higher, you can repeat a course once. Please refer to our Undergraduate Resources page for more information. 

Please note, the B.A. in CSS requires the completion of a minor in another discipline (students with a previous bachelor's degree can use this in place of the minor requirement).

Schedule Planning - Prior to Autumn 2022

The B.A. in CSS schedule planning grid shows a sample pathway to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science & Systems degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.

DOWNLOAD THE B.A. IN CSS PLANNING GRID (PDF)

 

Schedule Planning - Starting Autumn 2022

The B.A. in CSS schedule planning grid shows a sample pathway to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science & Systems degree. Work with your advisor to make sure you are completing required courses for the program and electives for your area of interest.

Download the B.A. in CSS Planning Grid (starting Autumn 2022)

 

Electives

  • CSS Electives: complete 20 additional credits of 300-level or 400-level courses chosen from the Computer Science & Systems program (excluding TCSS 390); see extended course descriptions for more information on individual CSS Elective courses.

  • Required Minor: Meet the requirements of your selected minor. 

  • Electives: Complete 15 credits of general electives of your choice.

All courses within the major must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 (including TCSS 142 and 143). If you don't earn a 2.0 or higher, you can repeat a course once. Please refer to our Undergraduate Resources page for more information.