2026-2027 Course Catalog
Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/eng_media/computer-science-advertising-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
COMPUTER SCIENCE + ADVERTISING is sponsored jointly by the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science and the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising. This is a program for students who have an interest in careers in the advertising field with a technology focus. Cloud computing, the availability and ubiquity of data, and the rapid and pervasive adoption of mobile technology have created a paradigm shift in the advertising industry. Projected areas of growth in advertising and communications are in Search Engine Optimization, web analytics, computational advertising, and other emerging areas of technology and media.
The degree will prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level as well as immediate entry into the workforce at advertising agencies, businesses with in-house advertising and marketing divisions, and technology companies.
View all College of Media undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
Please see a computer science advisor in 1210 Siebel Center, as well as an advertising advisor in the College of Media Student Services Center in 18 Gregory Hall.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 124 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ECON 102, and ANTH 103 or PSYC 100 or SOC 100 | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | fulfilled by CS 124; and CS 128; and CS 225; and MATH 220 or MATH 221; and MATH 231 | | | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |
Major Requirements
Course List
| Code | Title | Hours |
| --- | --- | --- | | Computer Science Core | | | | CS 124 | Introduction to Computer Science I | 3 | | CS 128 | Introduction to Computer Science II | 3 | | CS 173 | Discrete Structures | 3 | | CS 222 | Software Design Lab | 1 | | CS 225 | Data Structures | 4 | | CS 340 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 3 | | CS 374 | Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation | 4 | | CS 421 | Programming Languages & Compilers | 3 or 4 | | Computer Science Technical Electives: Two 400-level courses chosen in consultation with an advisor. These two courses must be above CS 403, not CS 491, and distinct from all other courses used to fulfill program requirements or options. | | 6 | | Mathematical Foundations (also fulfills QR I and II gen eds.) | | | | MATH 220 | Calculus | 5 | | or MATH 221 | Calculus I | | | MATH 231 | Calculus II | 3 | | MATH 225 | Introductory Matrix Theory | 2 or 3 | | or MATH 257 | Linear Algebra with Computational Applications | | | CS 361 | Probability & Statistics for Computer Science | 3 | | College of Media Foundations | | | | Select one from: | | 3-4 | | ANTH 103 | Anthro in a Changing World | | | PSYC 100 | Intro Psych | | | SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | | | ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | 3 | | ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 | | or ECON 302 | Inter Microeconomic Theory | | | BADM 320 | Principles of Marketing | 3 | | Advertising Core | | | | ADV 250 | Advertising and Brand Strategy | 3 | | ADV 281 | Advertising Research Methods | 3 | | ADV 284 | Consumer Insight | 3 | | ADV 360 | Innovations in Advertising | 3 | | or ADV 483 | Audience Analysis | | | ADV 390 | Content Creation | 3 | | ADV 461 | Computational Advertising | 3 | | ADV 492 | Tech and Advertising Campaigns | 3 | | Advertising Electives: Any ADV courses not already required for the major. | | 6 | | Total Hours | | 124 |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
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.
Electives are additional courses to help students achieve 124 hours required for the degree. These can often be any level, but students should check with their advisor for specific guidance.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| Advertising Elective | 3 |
| CS 124 | 3 |
| MATH 220 or 221 | 5 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| First Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 250 | 3 |
| CS 128 | 3 |
| CS 173 | 3 |
| MATH 231 | 3 |
| General Education course or Composition I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 18 | |
| Total Hours 18 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| ADV 281 | 3 |
| CS 222 | 1 |
| CS 225 | 4 |
| MATH 257 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| 18 | |
| Total Hours 18 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 284 | 3 |
| CS 340 | 3 |
| CS 361 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| ADV 390 | 3 |
| CS 374 | 4 |
| BADM 320 | 3 |
| ECON 102 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 16 | |
| Total Hours 16 |
| Third Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 360 or 483 | 3 |
| ADV 492 | 3 |
| ECON 103 | 3 |
| ANTH 103, PSYC 100, or SOC 100 | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours |
| CS 421 | 3 |
| Advertising Elective | 3 |
| CS Tech Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| 15 | |
| Total Hours 15 |
| Fourth Year | |
|---|---|
| Second Semester | Hours |
| ADV 461 | 3 |
| CS Tech Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| 12 | |
| Total Hours 12 |
Total Hours: 124
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
- Evaluate the historical, ethical, economic, legal, and social aspects of modern advertising.
- Conduct research, visualize data, and apply inference and machine learning methods to extract knowledge.
- Critically evaluate and select audiences for effective and ethical advertising delivery.
- Create strategic and evidence-driven brand communications.
- Develop and implement efficient algorithms to solve problems.
- Develop, analyze, and test software in the advertising context.
- Collaborate with diverse teams to develop strategic recommendations for clients.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Advertising
Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising
Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising website\ CS+Advertising website\ addept@illinois.edu\ (217)333-1602
College of Media
College of Media Catalog page\ College of Media website
Siebel School of Computing and Data Science
Siebel School of Computing and Data Science website\ undergrad@cs.illinois.edu