The B.A. degree requires a concentration in addition to the CSC major courses and the area studies courses. A student working towards a B.A. must take four courses in an area outside Computer Science. Popular choices include MCIS, psychology and math, although any are possible. In a way, the concentration is a built-in minor.

The CS Department publishes a list of courses for each academic area that fulfill the 4-course requirement. This list ensures that a B.A. major takes the necessary introductory courses as well as some intermediate courses and an upper-level one in order to get perspective on the entire scope of the academic discipline.

Moreover, the two area studies courses in the area of the concentration must be in the same discipline as the concentration, or a closely related discipline. Again, the CS Department has determined what these courses must be and has included them in the list.

Here's an example. Suppose that you want to do your concentration in accounting. Then the two area studies courses are

     ECO 101 -- Principles of Macroeconomics
     ECO 102 -- Principles of Microeconomics

Then you must take the following four accounting courses:

     
     ACC 211 -- Principles of Accounting I
     ACC 212 -- Principles of Accounting II
     ACC 301 -- Intermediate Accounting I
     ACC 302 -- Intermediate Accounting II

The four accounting courses actually make up the concentration, but the two economics courses serve as necessary background. Note that these two courses still count as your Area II credit.

There are many areas in Area II: psychology, anthropology, sociology, communication studies, political science, women's studies. Unfortunately, you must forego those areas if you decide to do your concentration in accounting, because you must take ECO 101 and ECO 102. So plan wisely, and see your advisor if you have any questions! (By the way, just because you use ECO 101 and 102 for your Area II courses, you can still take classes in Area II and count them as free electives or extra courses.)

Honors students who are working towards a B.A. in Computer Science do not have to take the two area studies courses, but must still complete the four course sequence in the published list. If either of the two area studies courses are pre-requisites for the concentration courses, then the student is urged to complete them as well. See a departmental advisor or the chair for more details.

Here's a complete list of the approved concentrations for CS Majors who are pursuing a B.A. degree.

If you have a minor, that can count as a concentration. This must be a complete minor that has been approved and published in the College Catalog. In most cases, a minor has more courses than a concentration so it more than fulfils the intent of the B. A. concentration.

Two examples are:

• Business Minor -- see page 102 of the catalog, 7 courses
• Cognitive Science Minor -- see page 144 of the catalog, 6 courses