2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/eng_las/computer-science-anthropology-bslas/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Computer Science + Anthropology
How does culture shape technology and technology shape culture? Does technology bridge inequalities or make them even wider? Anthropologists use computational tools and algorithms to analyze substantial amounts of data, gathered from a field site or by studying online social communities and social networks, to consider these questions.
With a Bachelor of Science in CS + Anthropology, which combines expertise from the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, students will gain the knowledge necessary to use computer, social, and behavioral sciences within larger cultural questions of globalization, community, security, the ethics of privacy, social transformation, and social justice.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Computer Science + Anthropology
Please see the computer science advisor as well as the anthropology advisor.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office by the beginning of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see the computer science advisor as well as the anthropology advisor.
General education: Students must complete the Campus General Education requirements including the campus general education language requirement.
Minimum required major and supporting course work: Normally equates to 66 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level Anthropology courses must be taken on this campus.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Required Computer Science Coursework | | | | CS 100 | Computer Science Orientation (recommended; CS 100 is an orientation course aimed at first-year students, so students who declare the major after the first year are not required to complete it.) | 1 | | CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 | | CS 128 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 | | CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 | | CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 | | CS 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 | | Choose one of the following combinations | | 8-11 | | CS 233 & CS 341 | Computer Architecture and System Programming | | | OR | | | | CS 340 | Introduction to Computer Systems | | | & two CS courses at the 400 level above CS 403, excluding CS 421 and CS 491 | | | | Choose one of the following: | | | | STAT 200 | Statistical Analysis | | | STAT 212 | Biostatistics | | | CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | | | CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 | | CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 | | Mathematics (may also fulfill the General Education Quantitative Reasoning I and II requirements) | | | | MATH 221 | Calculus I | 4-5 | | or MATH 220 | Calculus | | | MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2 or 3 | | or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | | | MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 | | Required Anthropology Coursework - Minimum of 24 hours | | | | Required Foundation Courses. Select at least 4 courses from the following. Students may make one course substitution for one of the required foundation courses, choosing from the option listed. | | 12-18 | | ANTH 101 | Introduction to Anthropology | | | ANTH 110 | Humanizing Science | | | ANTH 220 | Introduction to Archaeology | | | or ANTH 105 | World Archaeology | | | ANTH 230 | Sociocultural Anthropology | | | or ANTH 103 | Anthro in a Changing World | | | ANTH 240 | Biological Anthropology | | | or ANTH 102 | Human Origins and Culture | | | ANTH 270 | Language in Culture | | | or ANTH 104 | Talking Culture | | | ANTH 374 | Anth of Science and Technology | | | or ANTH 372 | Topics in Lang & Culture | | | Electives (Substitutions with permission of advisor) | | 6-9 | | ANTH 241 | Human Biological Variation | | | ANTH 268 | Images of the Other | | | ANTH 368 | 'America' in the World | | | ANTH 375 | The Culture of Nature | | | ANTH 399 | Special Topics (check with advisor for appropriate topics) | | | ANTH 411 | Research Methods in Socio-Cultural Anthropology | | | ANTH 423 | Economic Anthropology | | | ANTH 453 | Landscape Archaeology | | | ANTH 499 | Topics in Anthropology (check with advisor for appropriate topics) | | | Optional Senior Capstone Project (See advisor for details) | | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Computer Science + Anthropology
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| Free Elective course | 1 |
| CS 100 | 1 |
| ANTH Foundation course | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 173 | 3 |
| ANTH Foundation course | 3 |
| MATH 220 or 221 | 4 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 222 | 1 |
| CS 225 | 4 |
| MATH 225 or 257 | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 233 or 340 | 4 |
| STAT 200, 212, or CS 361 | 3 |
| MATH 231 | 3 |
| Language Other than English (4th level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours 17 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 341 (or CS 400-level course) | 4 |
| ANTH Foundation course | 3 |
| ANTH Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| CS 374 | 4 |
| CS 400-level course or Free elective course | 3 |
| ANTH Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| ANTH 421 | 3 |
| ANTH Foundation course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| 13 | |
| Total Hours 13 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ANTH Foundation course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| 12 | |
| Total Hours 12 |
Total Hours: 120
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Computer Science + Anthropology
- A broad knowledge of cultural, social, linguistic and biological facets of the human condition and the methods anthropologists use to study them.
- Ability to conduct independent research through data collection, critical analysis, synthesis, and written presentation of findings.
- An understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of anthropological research and their impacts on society.
for the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Computer Science + Anthropology
CS + X Degrees\ CS + Anthropology\ Anthropology department page\ anthro@illinois.edu\ Computer Science email:undergrad@cs.illinois.edu
Overview of Liberal Arts & Sciences admissions & requirements\ College of Liberal Arts & Sciences website
The Grainger College of Engineering website
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