BS Computer Science at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

The Department of Computer Science offers students in the College of Engineering a Bachelor of Science degree. As a student in the program, you’ll have access to foundational courses and a comprehensive set of electives. You’ll learn about core concepts and cutting-edge topics in computer science.

Faculty: College of Engineering | Department: Department of Computer Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: CMPSC 16, CMPSC 24, CMPSC 32, CMPSC 64, MATH 3A, MATH 3B, MATH 4A, MATH 4B, MATH 6A, PSTAT 120A; Upper Division Major: CMPSC 130A, CMPSC 130B, ENGR 101, CNCSP 110, CMPSC 111, CMPSC 138, CMPSC 140, CMPSC 148, CMPSC 153A, ECE 153A, CMPSC 154, CMPSC 156, CMPSC 160, CMPSC 162; Science Courses: Science Electives - List A (8 units), Science Electives - List B (12 units). To satisfy major requirements, courses taken inside or outside the department of Computer Science, must be taken for a letter grade.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Information technology (cloud computing, database, networking systems); Software development; Computing in non-IT sectors: financial, health care, manufacturing, etc.; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Computer Systems; Security and Privacy. Top employers include Google, Meta, Amazon, Uber, Lyft, Microsoft, Oracle, Snap.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

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