Why Study Computer Science or Computer and Information Technology?
What’s required to earn a degree?
It's all summarized in our minor maps for Computer Science or Computer Information Technology.
Computer Science Minor Curriculum Path Overview
General Information
The minor in computer and information science introduces the theories and techniques of computer science and develops programming skills that are applicable to the student's major. It is a strong complement to a major in any of the sciences and in related fields such as multimedia arts. Students from all majors have found their career opportunities enhanced through the CS minor.
Declaring a Minor
Before enrolling in CIS 313 or other upper-division courses, you must officially declare the minor with the CS department. Students are encouraged to consult with a Tykeson Hall Academic Advisor on the Scientific Discovery and Sustainability (SDS) team prior to declaring the minor.
32 Credits
Lower-Division Courses (20 credits)
Complete the following sequences concurrently. Courses must be taken graded.
- CIS 210-212 Introduction to Computer Science I-II-III
- MATH 231-232 Elements of Discrete Mathematics I-II
Required Upper-Division Course (4 credits)
Complete the following course. It must be taken graded.
- CIS 313 Introduction to Data Structures
Upper-Division Electives (8 credits)
Complete at least two upper-division CS courses. All courses must be taken graded. Courses numbered 399-409 will be counted only if permission is obtained before registering for the course.
Satisfactory Progress in the CS Minor Lower Division
Computer Science supports student preparedness for upper-division courses, as indicated by grades earned in lower-division courses. Strong preparation in lower-division courses provides the foundation for success in major upper-division courses and continuous progress toward major and UO degree requirements. Students must earn grades of B- or higher in CIS 210, 211, 212 and Math 231, 232 to automatically advance to upper-division CS courses.
When a student receives a grade lower than a B- in one of these courses, Computer Science strongly recommends that students repeat the course to earn the required B- or higher grade prior to attempting subsequent courses. Students repeating a course should plan to take advantage of supplemental instruction opportunities such as Class Encore weekly small group meetings.
If there were extenuating circumstances, students with at most one C grade (any level) in the lower-division required courses may petition for a prerequisite override to register for upper-division computer science courses. Students should be aware that such petitions are not automatically approved.
Students are required to meet with a Tykeson Hall Academic Advisor on the Scientific Discovery and Sustainability (SDS) team before submitting a petition for a prerequisite override to register for upper-division courses. You may speak with the advisor about any issues that may have prevented you from making satisfactory progress in the lower-division major course. Your advisor will assist you in determining next steps and with submitting a petition, if this is determined to be appropriate.
In addition to your statement, CS UEC will review your experience and grades in all of the lower-division foundational core courses to determine your preparedness for upper-division courses in the major.
Satisfactory Progress in the CS Minor Upper Division
All upper-division coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better. All courses must be taken graded.
Students who receive two grades below C- in upper-division core courses, or three grades below C- in upper division elective CS classes, will be removed from the minor.
General Information
The minor in computer information technology prepares students to work with evolving technologies for work environments that require development and management of business databases, computer networks and information security, web applications, and software systems.
Beyond the specific technical skills, the CIT Minor successfully promotes a student’s ability to work with the complexities of our digital world, and fosters continual growth in confidence and self-belief. The majority of the CIT Minor students are not engaged in what might be considered CIS-focused undergraduate programs, so the growth in technical knowledge and skills is a highly transformative experience.
The CIT Minor is open all students, as technical knowledge and skills are a compliment to any major. Over twenty majors are represented each year. CS Majors and CS Minors cannot be a CIT minor except by petition.
Declaring a Minor
Before enrolling in CIT 381, you must officially declare the CIT Minor with the CIS department, but it is highly recommended that you declare the minor as early as possible. Students are encouraged to consult with a Tykeson Hall Academic Advisor on the Scientific Discovery and Sustainability (SDS) team prior to declaring the minor.
Grading Policies
All courses must be taken graded. Lower-division courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better. Upper-division courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
24 credits total
Lower-Division Courses (12 credits)
Complete the following sequence of courses. All courses must be taken graded. All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better.
- CIS 110 Fluency with Information Technology
- CIS 111 Introduction to Web Programming
- CIT 281 Web Applications Development I
Upper-Division Courses (12 credits)
Complete the following sequence. All courses must be taken graded. All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better. This sequence is offered only once per year beginning in the Fall.
- CIT 381 Database Systems
- CIT 382 Web Applications Development II
- CIT 383 Networking Fundamentals
CIT Minor and Lane Community College Transfer Students
LCC students who are interested in the Computer Information Technology (CIT) minor at the UO should be aware that the following courses may be able to substitute for UO minor requirements by petition to the Computer Science Undergraduate Education Committee.
- LCC CIS 195 Web Authoring for CIS 110 Fluency with Information Technology
- LCC 133 Beginning Programming (JavaScript) for CIS 111 Introduction to Web Programming
- LCC 233 Intermediate Programming (JavaScript) for CIT 281 Web Applications Development I
All courses must have been completed with grades of B or better.
A student who has completed the appropriate lower division courses at LCC will be able to complete the CIT minor in one year at the UO:
- CIT 381 Database Systems* (Fall)
- CIT 382 Web Applications Development II (Winter)
- CIT 383 Networking Fundamentals (Spring)
*Students who have taken CS 275 Database Systems and Modeling and CS 276 Database SQL Programming and received grades of B+ or better should talk to a UO Computer Science advisor about possibly substituting another upper division Computer Science class for CIT 381.