Degrees in Computer Science from University of California – Los Angeles
UCLA appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Master’s in Computer Science Degree Programs.
Students interested in studying computer science at the University of California – Los Angeles can choose from two undergraduate programs that include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Students may also earn a Master of Science in Computer Science or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Computer Science. Students who want to apply to one of the undergraduate programs will choose the computer science and engineering path if they have an interest in the physical hardware of computer systems or the computer science option for all other interests.
Some of the courses a student may take while enrolled in one of the undergraduate programs in computer science include Introduction to Computer Science, Introduction to Computer Organization, Software Construction Laboratory, and Operating System Principles. Students who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to earn a Master of Science in Computer Science will choose from two degree plans that require completion of a thesis or a comprehensive examination. Students will take a total of nine courses for both graduate degree options. The thesis plan option allows students to take three elective classes of four units each, and the comprehensive examination plan allows students to take four electives of four units each.
Students who want to enroll in the Ph.D. program may choose several fields or sub-disciplines on which to focus that include artificial intelligence, computer networks, computational systems biology, or computer system architecture. Also available for focus are the topics of data management, software systems, computer science theory, and graphics & vision. While seeking a Ph.D., students must gain teaching experience of at least one quarter as a teaching assistant, as well as pass oral and written qualifying examinations before advancing to candidacy. Students are expected to pass their written exam within six quarters or within two years of entering the program and pass their oral exam within three years. Total time to completion for the Ph.D. program is six years.
Related study options in computer science are available in certificate form through the UCLA Extension program. Available certificates include those in Data Science, Cybersecurity, Applications Programming, Database Management, Operating System Administration, Systems Analysis, and Linux/Unix. Students who want to attend classes online will do so through the UCLA Extension system, which offers open enrollment for several classes in areas like machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, and database security. Some courses in the computer science programs at UCLA are available online, and others feature a hybrid approach with online learning and on-campus visits.
About University of California – Los Angeles
The University of California – Los Angeles was established in 1919 and routinely ranks as one of the most lauded public universities in the United States. More than 45,000 students attend college at the university, which also has an academic staff of more than 4,000. The university’s programs are offered within six undergraduate colleges, four professional health science schools, and seven professional schools. UCLA has employed several Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, and Turing Award winners as faculty, as well as several members of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Sciences. The school’s popular sports teams are nicknamed the Bruins, and athletes who attend the university play in NCAA Division I games within the Pac-12 Conference. The university’s official colors are blue and gold.
University of California – Los Angeles Accreditation Details
Regional accreditation for UCLA comes from the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which accredits universities in California, Hawaii, and around the Pacific. Other agencies to grant accreditation to programs at the university include the American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar and the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Association. Also granting accreditation are the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation and the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Accreditation Commission. Several of the school’s nursing, medical, and health care programs have received accreditation from agencies that include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Education for Public Health, and the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.
University of California – Los Angeles Application Requirements
Prospective freshmen applicants to UCLA must submit their application for fall entry between November 1 and November 30. Applications are received through the University of California online application system. Students will self-report the information from their transcripts and will only submit official transcripts if they’re admitted as students or the university requests further information. Auditions are required for students interested in majoring in theater, music, dance, and ethnomusicology. The application includes personal insight questions that ask the student to tell a personal story that will help the admissions staff understand the applicant outside of the static materials like grades and class rank. Graduate applicants will complete the graduate admission application online and can only apply to one program at a time.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees for undergraduates attending the University of California – Los Angeles is $13,225 for California residents. Out-of-state students will pay an additional $29.754 in nonresident supplemental tuition. Other costs include an estimated $15,900 for room and meals, $1,464 for books and supplies, and somewhere between $441 and $1,512 for transportation. Students who don’t have health insurance must pay $2,225 and can expect to incur around $1,506 to $1,647 in personal costs during the year. Most graduate programs at the University of California – Los Angeles will cost $16,847 for the year for California residents and $31,949 for non-California residents. Some professional degrees require fees or have alternative tuition rates.
Students will submit a FASFA form if they require financial aid to attend the university and may qualify for scholarships, loans, and grants. First-time college students may need to include the income of their parents on their applications unless they’re above a certain age. Students can access walk-in counseling services for financial aid in the campus office from 9 AM to 4 PM each week, Monday to Friday. Students who want to qualify for institutional scholarships must submit the UCLA Scholarship Application form online, possess a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, and submit a FAFSA form by the March 2nd deadline. Students in computer science programs at the University of California – Los Angeles may want to seek out scholarships directly from the Samueli School of Engineering.
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