Computer Science Degrees Offered at the University of California – Irvine
University of California – Irvine appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
The University of California – Irvine offers a large selection of computer science programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. The computer science department at UCI is known for its innovative interdisciplinary research and education. Undergraduate students can choose to major or minor in computer science, with the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science options being the most popular four-year degrees. Interdisciplinary research fields include biomedical informatics, ubiquitous computing, data mining, and cybersecurity.
Several masters of science programs are available, with various degree specializations available for each program. The Master of Computer Science is a lecture-based master’s program for business and technology professionals looking for career enhancement. The Master of Science in Computer Science is a research-based program for engineers interested in the complex technicalities of computer programming. The Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science is the terminal-level program for students with great intellectual passion and excellent academic records. The Graduate Program in Networked Systems is a specialized program for network and systems administrators of large installations. The Graduate Program in Mathematical, Computational and Systems Biology is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in a wide range of computational and biological subjects.
Online courses are available to all students for every semester, but they must be combined with in-person courses for degree completion. Computer science majors can take introductory courses in computer science, statistics and mathematics online. Undergraduate students can take many first- and second-year core courses online.
The top-rated undergraduate-level computer science program at UCI is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It’s a highly valued degree that can lead to high-paying engineering positions at major firms, including Silicon Valley technology companies. The most popular graduate-level computer science program at UCI is the Master of Computer Science, which is a fully lecture-based program intended for technology professionals seeking career advancement. Computer science students at UCI can specialize in any of a number of related subjects, including information technology, Web design, and network administration. Student advisors in the computer science department are always ready to answer questions and help students select a degree plan.
About the University of California – Irvine
UCI was created in 1964 with funding from the California Master Plan for Higher Education. It was founded seven years before the city of Irvine, California, existed. UCI is named after James Irvine, the owner of Irvine Ranch, a 94,000-acre tract of land in Orange County, California. The Irvine Company donated 1,000 acres of land to UCI, and the main campus was built over the course of several years beginning in 1960. President Lyndon B. Johnson dedicated the newly constructed university in 1964, and UCI began educating students in 1965. The first graduating class consisted of 1,589 students and 119 faculty members. In 1966, the first commencement ceremony was held for fourteen graduating students. The degrees awarded included 10 bachelors of arts, three masters of arts and one doctor of philosophy.
In 1964, 510 additional acres of Irvine Ranch were purchased by UCI for the construction of student housing, restaurants, and retail outlets. Over the last decades of the 20th century, UCI grew to become one of the top public research universities in the country. In 1976, the university purchased the Orange County Medical Center and renamed it to the UC Irvine Medical Center.
Today, UCI is renowned for its School of Biological Sciences, School of Social Sciences and School of Engineering, which includes the Department of Computer Science. Many courses are offered online, but fully online degree programs are still in the early stages of development. Freshmen and transfer students can combine physical and online classes to create a flexible, efficient schedule with all of the advantages of Web- and campus-based learning.
UCI educates around 27,317 undergraduate students each year, with 98 percent qualifying for full-time enrollment status. Notable alumni of UCI include comedian Jon Lovitz and writers Michael Chabon and David Benioff. The graduation rate at UCI is 89 percent, and the median annual income of graduates of UCI is $58,400, almost $20,000 per year more than the national median.
University of California – Irvine Accreditation Details
UCI is institutionally accredited by California’s regional accrediting agency, the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Regional accreditation is the most trusted type of university accreditation, so credits awarded by UCI can easily be transferred to other schools and organizations. Many specialized programs at UCI are programmatically accredited by dedicated commissions. Nursing education programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Public health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The School of Medicine is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, and the School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association. Predoctoral internship programs for psychology students are accredited by the American Psychology Association.
University of California – Irvine Application Requirements
UCI is a selective public school, and 41 percent of applications are accepted. The graduation rate for full-time undergraduate students at UCI is 86 percent. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 490 to 520 for the reading section and 570 to 710 for the math section. The average ACT composite score is 24 to 30.
Applications are reviewed multiple times by senior members of the faculty and administration. Applicants are usually notified within 30 days about their status, and some applicants may be placed on a waiting list. The application process is the same for undergraduate, graduate and online students. Applications must be accompanied by official transcripts that indicate GPA information, class ranking, and course schedules. Graduate school applications must be accompanied by written recommendations from previous professors.
Tuition and Financial Aid
California residents typically pay $13,360 per year for tuition at UCI, and out-of-state residents can pay up to $40,042 per year. The cost of books and living expenses can increase the total cost by around $20,000 per year. After financial aid has been included, most students end up paying around $13,712 per year for tuition, books and living expenses. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid website offers opportunities for low-cost loans and federal grants to students with financial need. Students can fill out the FAFSA form online at the time of enrollment. The University of California – Irvine offers work-study programs, private loans, and scholarships to all students.
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