• This worksheet accompanies the 2026-2027 Catalog
  • Last Updated: 6/3/2026
  • It is recommended that you utilize this worksheet in combination with your DegreeWorks worksheet.
  • Keep this worksheet up to date and bring it with you each time you meet with your advisor.  It will help your advisor give you better advice when you register for classes.
  • Substitute courses are sometimes allowed.  See your advisor for specific questions.  Your advisor must approve substitutions.  Do not assume that a substitution will be allowed.
  • You may not use pass/fail courses except in the unrestricted electives section (with the exception of Spring 2020 COVID-19 courses that were converted to pass).
  • All course grades must be at least a C- to count towards your degree. 
  • Refer to this typical semester-by-semester schedule of classes.
  • This is a complex form and may contain a few errors.  If you notice any, please notify Hunter Lloyd (hunter.lloyd@montana.edu) or Shane Blanchard (shaniah.blanchard@montana.edu).

Bachelor of Arts Options

  • The B.A. in Computer Science is intended for students who have interests in both computing and a non-STEM area in the arts, the humanities, or business.
  • Students opting into a Paired Minor or Paired Plan are required to complete the first year of a modern language (101 & 102 in ARAB, CHIN, FRCH, GRMN, JPNS or SPNS).  Important note: A paired minor is not the same as a regular minor and might have additional requirements.
  • Meet with your advisor to determine the most appropriate Broadening Course Option.

 

Broadening Course Options

Option 1:

Paired Major

Option 2:

Paired Minor

Option 3:

Paired Plans
  • Approval from paired major advisor required.
  • Complete the requirements for the paired major.
  • Approval from paired minor advisor required.
  • Complete the requirements for the paired minor.
  • Completion of a paired plan.
  • A custom plan is an option, please meet with your advisor for more information.

 

For a list of paired majors, minors and approved plans, please visit the MSU catalog.

Section 1.  Required Computer Science Courses

  • CSCI 107, Joy and Beauty of Computing, 3 credits
  • CSCI 127, Joy and Beauty of Data, 4 credits
  • CSCI 132, Basic Data Structures and Algorithms, 4 credits
  • CSCI 215CS, Social and Ethical Issues in CS, 3 credits
  • CSCI 232, Data Structures and Algorithms, 4 credits
  • ESOF 322, Software Engineering, 3 credits
  • ESOF 423, Software Engineering Applications, 3 credits
  • CSCI 481, Program Assessment, 0 credits

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 2.  Upper Division Computer Science Elective Courses

  • You must take 9 credits from the courses below.
  • There are some special courses, such as CSCI 491 or ESOF 491 that can also be used here.  
  • Seniors may petition to use CS graduate courses in this section.
  • Non-lecture courses such as CSCI 498, Internship, and CSCI 492, Independent Study, MAY NOT be used on this page.

Courses that can fulfill these requirements:

  • CSCI 331, Web Development, 3 credits
  • CSCI 347, Data Mining, 3 credits
  • CSCI 351, Systems Administration, 3 credits
  • EIND 422, Simulation, 3 credits
  • ESOF 422, Advanced Software Engineering, 3 credits
  • CSCI 431, Hypermedia Systems, 3 credits
  • CSCI 432, Advanced Algorithm Topics, 3 credits
  • CSCI 440, Database Systems, 3 credits
  • CSCI 442, Robot Vision, 3 credits
  • CSCI 443, User Interface Design, 3 credits
  • CSCI 444, Data Visualization, 3 credits
  • CSCI 445, Human Computer Interaction, 3 credits
  • CSCI 446, Artificial Intelligence, 3 credits
  • CSCI 447, Machine Learning, 3 credits
  • CSCI 451, Computational Biology, 3 credits
  • CSCI 455, Robotics, 3 credits
  • CSCI 460, Operating Systems, 3 credits
  • CSCI 466, Networks, 3 credits
  • CSCI 468, Compilers, 4 credits
  • CSCI 476, Computer Security, 3 credits
  • CSCI 487, Data Science in Practice, 3 credits
  • CSCI 495, Field Work / Practicum, 1 credit

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 3.  More Computer Science Elective Courses

  • You need 7 credits from this section
  • Any computer science course listed in the first two sections of this sheet, but not used in those sections may be counted here.
  • Any computer science course not listed in the first two sections of this sheet, such a MART 145RA may be used here. 

Courses that fulfill these requirements:

  • Course 1:
  • Course 2:
  • Course 3:
  • Course 4:
  • Etc.

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 4.  Math and Science Required Courses

Substitution Notes:

  •  M 171 or M 181 can substitute for M 165.

  • M 166 or M 172 or M 182 can substitute for STAT 337.

Requirements:

  • STAT 216Q, Intro to Statistics, 3 credits
  • STAT 337, Intermediate Statistics with Computing, 3 credits
  • M 165, Calculus for Tech 1, 3 credits
  • CSCI 246, Discrete Structures, 3 credits

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 5.  Remaining Core 2.0 and Writing

Courses that fulfill these requirements:

  • US Core, 3 credits:
  • WRIT 101W, College Writing I, 3 credits:
  • WRIT 221, Intermediate Technical Writing, 3 credits:
  • IN or RN Core, 3 credits:
  • IA or RA Core, 3 credits:
  • IH or RH Core, 3 credits:
  • IS or RS Core, 3 credits:
  • D Core, 3 credits:

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 6.  Unrestricted Electives

  • You might need to take additional credits of elective courses to bring your credit total to 120.  Add up the credit totals in the other sections and subtract from 120 to determine exactly how many unrestricted elective credits you need.
  • Any university course may be used in this section if it has not been used in another section on this worksheet.
  • You must accumulate at least 42 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.  If you have taken courses at this level that are not listed in any other section on this worksheet, and if you need to count these courses in order to meet the 42 credit requirement, list them here.

Courses that fulfill these requirements:

  • Course 1:
  • Course 2:
  • Course 3:
  • Course 4:
  • Etc.

 

Total Credits:

300+ Level Credits:

Section 7.  Checklist for Graduation

Total number of credits (must be at least 120):

Total number of 300+ level credits (must be at least 42):

 All course grades are at least a C- (yes or no):

Section 8.  Graduation Application Instruction

Congratulations – you are almost finished!  Graduation Applications must be submitted by the following dates:

  • October 1st  for Spring Graduation.
  • March 1st for Summer or Fall Graduation.

 Instructions:

  1. Create your Final Semester Plan in DegreeWorks.
  2. Make an appointment to meet with your assigned faculty advisor.
  3. If the requirements of the major are met through your Final Semester Plan, your advisor will lock the plan and enter the note "Final Semester Primary Degree Advisor Approves of DegreeWorks Worksheet" into DegreeWorks.
  4. After this note appears, you must e-mail the following information to soc-info@montana.edu with the subject Graduation SEMESTER LASTNAME (e.g. Graduation SP26 Rooney):
    1. First & Last Name
    2. Last four digits of GID
    3. Preferred Email Address
    4. Advisor
    5. Major/Minor
  5. The GSOC office will record this information and notify our certifying officer.
  6. Once your major is certified, another note will be added to DegreeWorks "Final Semester Primary Degree Certified". Once that happens, you will be able to complete your graduation application in DegreeWorks.
  7. Hunter Lloyd will send an email letting the you know your final semester plan is certified by the department, or informing them of any information they may need. 
  8. After receiving Hunter Lloyd's email, navigate to: via MyMSU > Registration &
    Records > Apply to Graduate Card > Application for Graduation

Minor and/or Second Major Graduation Application Instructions

  1. If you are graduating with a minor or a second major, please go to the minor or second major department for instructions as each department's process may be different.
  2. Each minor or second major department must also certify your final semester graduation plan. The minor and second major. You will complete one application in MyMSU with all majors/minors in one form. 

 

Further details can be found at: https://www.montana.edu/registrar/graduation.html