Six UC Davis Degrees for Computer Science Careers
The University of California–Davis appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Founded in 1962, the College of Engineering led by Dr. Jennifer Sinclair Curtis offers a 180-unit Computer Science BS for over 1,100 University of California–Davis Aggies with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory internships, Hyperloop Pod Team competitions, and Argentina or Australia trips. Chaired by Dr. Saif Islam, the Computer Engineering BS builds a 180-unit, ABET-accredited curriculum where undergrads can pursue the Integrated BS/MS, secure Silvaco co-ops, join the IEEE Chapter, and pledge Tau Beta Pi. Placed 30th by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, the Computer Science MS follows a 36-unit, two-year path outlined by Dr. Matthew Farrens that blends 200-level courses like Operating Systems with thesis research in the Computer Architecture Lab.
At Kemper Hall, the Computer Engineering MS overseen by Dr. Erkin Seker admits Fall cohorts into six 36-unit, project-based Davis emphases for Information Systems, Electronic Circuits, Photonics, Physical Electronics, Computational Science, or Micro & Millimeter Waves with the optional 29-week Cyber Security Immersion Academy. Directed by Dr. Dipak Ghosal, the Computer Science Ph.D. has a 45-unit, post-master’s plan where scholars with an average 3.67 GPA conduct dissertation research in the Visualization & Interface Design Center and secure Silicon Valley fellowships. Ranked #1 by the ASEE, the 45-unit Computer Engineering Ph.D. also provides opportunities to declare the Emphasis in Biotechnology, conduct Broadband Technologies Lab research, and mentor Robotics Club.
About the University of California–Davis
The University of California–Davis was opened in October 1908 as the University Farm with an inaugural all-male class of 115 taking non-degree agricultural courses for $250 each year. In 1914, the first female students arrived at West Hall from Berkeley. In 1916, the University Farm was victorious at the Chicago International Livestock Show. In 1922, it was renamed the Northern Branch of the College of Agriculture. In 1938, President Knowles Ryerson began calling it the College of Agriculture at Davis. From 1943-45, education was halted for U.S. Army Signal Corps training during World War II. Broadened for arts and sciences in 1951, it became the seventh University of California System member in 1959. By 2000, UC Davis was among Diverse Issues in Higher Education’s top engineering Ph.D. schools for minorities.
Endowed for $1.1 billion, the University of California–Davis now employs 2,133 faculty teaching 29,285 undergrad and 7,561 post-grad Aggies from 105 nations online or on the 5,300-acre Sacramento Valley campus with 800+ organizations like Computer Science Club for 93 percent retention. In 2019, UC Davis had the Facebook Probability and Programming Research Award recipient. In 2018, UCD’s Team Gunrock won the Amazon Alexa Prize of $500,000. The University of California–Davis accepted a 2019 Insight Into Diversity Inspiring Programs in STEM Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis 37th for computer science and 31st for engineering. On Niche, UCD boasts America’s 94th best computer science degrees, 109th most diversity, and 113th best professors. Forbes named the University of California–Davis 88th overall with the 49th most impactful research.
University of California–Davis Accreditation Details
On June 29, 2018, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission took action to extend the Level VI accreditation status at University of California–Davis through the next Spring 2024 evaluation under the seventh chancellor, Dr. Gary May, who earned the ECEDHA Robert Janowiak Outstanding Leadership Award. Located 73 miles southwest via Interstate 680 in Alameda, this prized eight-territory Pacific Coast Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review UCD’s 102 bachelor’s and 101 graduate programs. Particularly, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) has approved the Computer Engineering BS and Computer Science BS since October 1, 1995.
University of California–Davis Application Requirements
Admission to the University of California–Davis is classified “very selective” by Peterson’s since just 31,564 of the 76,647 Fall 2018 applicants were okayed for 41 percent acceptance. First-year Aggies pursuing the Computer Science BS must complete the A-G high school course requirements with GPAs above 3.0. Out-of-state residents must exceed the 3.4 GPA minimum. The Class of 2022 achieved an average 3.99 GPA. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 630-790 for math and 610-710 for reading. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 28-34. Incoming transfers need at least 60 semester or 90 quarter units with GPAs above 2.8. The College of Engineering strongly prefers transfers with 3.10 or better GPAs. International enrollment requires a minimum 7.0 IELTS or 80 TOEFL iBT score. Successful graduate students generally have 3.5 or higher GPAs during accredited bachelor’s preparation. On average, post-grads report GRE scores of 166 quantitative, 155 verbal, and 4.0 analytical. Prerequisite courses like Calculus and Computer Programming are strongly suggested.
The University of California–Davis only accepts prospective freshmen from November 1st to November 30th. Computer Science BS transfers must file before January 31st. The BS/MS Integrated Program has a March 31st deadline. Computer Science MS or Ph.D. cohorts are welcome until January 15th. The Electrical & Computer Engineering Graduate Program runs space-available admission through June 1st. Accordingly, complete the UC Davis Application online for $70 ($105 if graduate). Forward sealed transcripts to One Shields Avenue in Davis, CA 95616. Submit official tests using ACT code 0454 or SAT/GRE code 4834. Fulfill checklist items, such as the resume, three recommendations, personal statement, conference papers, fellowship form, and passport. Contact (530) 752-0583 or ecegradinfo@ucdavis.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, the University of California–Davis is billing in-state Computer Science BS majors $14,490 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition and fees are $44,244 each year. Unless waived, student health insurance costs $2,628 yearly. Residing at the Sacramento Valley campus’ dorms like Gilmore Hall adds $15,863 for room and board. UCD budgets $1,159 for books, $1,399 for personal expenses, and $487 for travel. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $36,026 in-state and $65,780 out-of-state. The College of Engineering charges post-grad Californians $13,597 and non-residents $28,699 each year full-time. Part-time master’s tuition is $1,907 to $4,424 quarterly. Note there’s an international student administrative fee of $258 yearly.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Dutton Hall Room 1100 connects 66 percent of full-time UCD Aggies to tuition assistance averaging $17,917 apiece for $356.21 million combined. College of Engineering funds include the Robert Murdoch Memorial Scholarship, Arthur & Julia Suran Endowed Scholarship, Eugene Martin Memorial Scholarship, Fred Fuchslin Memorial Scholarship, Khadar Shaik Ph.D. Scholarship, Boyd Family Scholarship, Diane Bryant Diversity Scholarship, Jane Elliott Memorial Scholarship, and Malcolm Stacey Memorial Scholarship. The Blue & Gold Opportunity Plan covers full in-state tuition for undergrads with a family income of $80,000 or less. The $7,500 Regents Scholarship has a November 30th deadline for freshman and juniors keeping minimum 3.25 GPAs. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or Work-Study Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001313. Locals could also claim the Cal Grant A or B, Chafee Grant, Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant, Dream Act Grant, and more.
Continue learning about the University of California–Davis at the Department of Computer Science website.
Related Resources:
