Information and Computer Science
28 courses · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
I&C SCI 3 Computing Technologies and Their Social Impact
- Units
- 4
Examines current computing technologies and social implications at the individual, group, and societal level. Issues include privacy, trust, identity, reputation, governance, and malicious behavior, ethics, social justice, and culture and community.
I&C SCI 4 Designing Computing Technology for People
- Units
- 4
Introduces students to basic principles of human-centered computing and theories of human behavior that are relevant for the design of technology for people. Specific topics include usability, prototyping, heuristic evaluation, visual design, theory of perception, accessibility.
I&C SCI 5 Global Disruption and Information Technology
- Units
- 4
Explores how new forms of information technology may support transition to a sustainable civilization. Topics include design and implementation of IT systems, science of global change, online community building, and “green IT”. Activities involve reading, writing, discussion, and final project.
I&C SCI 6B Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- High school mathematics through trigonometry
Relations and their properties; Boolean algebras, formal languages; finite automata.
I&C SCI 6D Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Recommended: I&C SCI 6B
Covers essential tools from discrete mathematics used in computer science with an emphasis on the process of abstracting computational problems and analyzing them mathematically. Topics include mathematical induction, combinatorics, and recurrence relations.
I&C SCI 6N Computational Linear Algebra
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (I&C SCI 31 or I&C SCI H32 or AP Computer Science A with a minimum score of 3) and (MATH 2B or MATH 5B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4)
Matrices and linear transformations, systems of linear equations, determinants, linear vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonal matrices, diagonalization, and least squares. Topics taught primarily from an algorithmic perspective, including computational solutions, applications, and numerical error analysis.
I&C SCI 9 Introduction to Computation for Scientists and Engineers
- Units
- 6
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2A (may be taken concurrently) or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB Subscore with a minimum score of 3
Introduces principles, techniques, and computational tools for quantitative approach to basic problem solving in physics and engineering. Project-based course that actively explores how programming techniques are used for solving STEM real-world problems.
I&C SCI 10 How Computers Work
- Units
- 4
Introduction to digital computer and communication systems. Capabilities and limitations of information technology. Representing information in digital form. Overview of computer organization, internet, operating systems, software. Human-computer interaction and social impact.
I&C SCI 11 The Internet and Public Policy
- Units
- 4
How the Internet works. Current public policy issues concerning the Internet. Introductory economics. Communications law. Interactions between information technology, economics, and law. Case studies about Internet and communications policy.
I&C SCI 12 Artificial Intelligence and Society
- Units
- 4
Investigates AI technologies and their impacts at individual, group, and societal levels. Topics include digital inclusion, bias, employment, governance, ethics, privacy, and cultural implications, emphasizing equitable opportunities and responsible AI development.
I&C SCI 20 Invitation to Computing
- Units
- 4
Foundational principles of computer science for students with no computing background that are interested in a related career. Big ideas of computing explored, including programming through use of sequential, conditional, iterative logic. Good computational practices, problem solving, and organization discussed.
I&C SCI 31 Introduction to Programming
- Units
- 4
Introduction to fundamental concepts and techniques for writing software in a high-level programming language. Covers the syntax and semantics of data types, expressions, exceptions, control structures, input/output, methods, classes, and pragmatics of programming.
I&C SCI 32 Programming with Software Libraries
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 31 with a minimum grade of C
Construction of programs for problems and computing environments more varied than in I&C SCI 31. Using library modules for applications such as graphics, sound, GUI, database, Web, and network programming. Language features beyond those in I&C SCI 31 are introduced as needed.
I&C SCI H32 Python Programming and Libraries (Accelerated)
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- AP Computer Science A with a minimum score of 3. Placement via a transfer course in computer programming or equivalent experience may also be accepted upon review
Introduces Python syntax and semantics for fundamental programming concepts. Constructing programs for varied problems and environments. Using library modules for applications such as graphics, sound, GUI, database, Web, and network programming. Accelerated course for students with previous programming background.
I&C SCI 33 Intermediate Programming
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 32 with a minimum grade of C or I&C SCI H32 with a minimum grade of C
Intermediate-level language features and programming concepts for larger, more complex, higher-quality software. Functional programming, name spaces, modules, class protocols, inheritance, iterators, generators, operator overloading, reflection. Analysis of time and space efficiency.
I&C SCI 45C Programming in C/C++ as a Second Language
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 33 with a minimum grade of C or EECS 40 with a minimum grade of C
An introduction to the lexical, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic characteristics of the C/C++ languages for experienced programmers. Emphasis on object-oriented programming, using standard libraries, and programming with manual garbage collection.
I&C SCI 45J Programming in Java as a Second Language
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 33 with a minimum grade of C
An introduction to the lexical, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic characteristics of the Java language for experienced programmers. Emphasis on object-oriented programming, using standard libraries, and programming with automatic garbage collection.
I&C SCI 46 Data Structure Implementation and Analysis
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 33 with a minimum grade of C and I&C SCI 45C with a minimum grade of C
Focuses on implementation and mathematical analysis of fundamental data structures and algorithms. Covers storage allocation and memory management techniques.
I&C SCI 51 Introductory Computer Organization
- Units
- 6
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 33 and I&C SCI 6B
Multilevel view, design, and operation of computer system components. Machine-level data and instruction representation. Instruction sets and addressing modes. Memory organization. Laboratory work using low-level programming languages.
I&C SCI 53 Principles in System Design
- Units
- 6
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 46 with a minimum grade of C and I&C SCI 51 with a minimum grade of C
Introduces basic principles of system software: operating systems, compilers, and networking. Exposure to the following topics through theoretical and practical programming experiences: linking and loading, process and memory management, concurrency and synchronization, network communication, programming for performance, etc.
I&C SCI 60 Games and Society
- Units
- 4
The study and critical analysis of computer games as art objects, cultural artifacts, gateways to virtual worlds, educational aids, and tools for persuasion and social change. Emphasis on understanding games in their historical and cultural context.
I&C SCI 80 Special Topics in Information and Computer Science
- Units
- 2-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of information and computer sciences. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
I&C SCI 90 New Students Seminar
- Units
- 1
Introduces students to the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. Focuses on advising students making the transition to UCI, community building, and mostly surveying the technical areas within departments in ICS, via talks by faculty on their research.
I&C SCI 139W Critical Writing on Information Technology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Study and practice of critical writing and oral communication as it applies to information technology. Each student writes assignments of varying lengths, totaling at least 4,000 words.
I&C SCI 167 Multiplayer Game Systems
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- I&C SCI 51 or GDIM 31
Foundations and technologies that enable multiuser, networked, and persistent virtual environments. Emphasis on database design and management, network protocols, and concurrency control to accommodate large numbers of simultaneous users.
I&C SCI 192 Industrial or Public Sector Field Study
- Units
- 2-4
Students participate in an off-campus, supervised internship for a minimum of 60 hours. Students apply classroom knowledge through internship projects in the private sector or nonprofit agencies.
I&C SCI H197 Honors Seminar
- Units
- 1-2
An overview of computer science and selected recent trends in research. Students attend talks on current faculty research, with opportunities for discussion.
I&C SCI 398A Teaching Assistant Training Seminar
- Units
- 2
Theories, methods, and resources for teaching computer science at the university level, particularly by teaching assistants. Classroom presentations, working with individuals, grading, motivating students. Participants will give and critique presentations and may be videotaped while teaching.