# 2025-2026 General Catalog

**Source**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/computer-science-engineering/computer-science-minor/
**Parent**: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext

[Office & Contact Information](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/computer-science-engineering/)

## The Major Program

The Department of Computer Science administers two majors: Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Computer Science (CS). It also administers two minors: Computer Science and Computational Biology. For information on the Computer Science & Engineering curriculum and the minor in Computational Biology, see [Computer Science Engineering](https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/computer-science-engineering/computer-science-engineering-bs/).

The primary differences between the CSE and CS majors are the extent of hardware coverage and curricular flexibility. The CSE major develops a solid understanding of the entire machine, including hands-on experience with its hardware components. The CS major teaches some hardware, at the digital-design level, on simulators. The CSE major has fewer free electives. The CS major's more generous electives make it easier to complete a minor or double major.

Students in the CS major receive a solid grounding in the fundamentals of computer languages, operating systems, computer architecture, and the mathematical abstractions underpinning computer science. Students are prepared for both industry and postgraduate study.

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