The University of California Irvine, commonly called UCI, is a public research institution of higher learning residing in Irvine, California. It is among the ten campuses in the University of California system. It features very high research activity. The mission of UCI is to accelerate the community and improve lives through comprehensive education, innovative research, and dedicated public service. The University of California Irvine offers 92 undergraduate degrees and 98 graduate and professional degrees through 14 schools of education: Claire Trevor School of the Arts, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, Paul Merage School of Business, School of Education, Samueli School of Engineering, School of Humanities, Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, School of Law, School of Medicine, Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, School of Social Ecology, and School of Social Sciences. The University of California Irvine was founded in 1965 due the need of more campuses of the University of California to provide education to World War II veterans. It was named after James Irvine, a landowner who owned a 94,000-acre ranch and sold 1,000 of those acres to the university for one dollar. The university started with 1,589 students and various buildings. Today, the University of California Irvine is home to more than 33,000 students. The U.S. News and World Report ranks UCI number nine in its Top Public Schools publication and number 39 in National Universities publication. It is also ranked number 29 for Best Grad Schools in Computer Science.

University of California Irvine Accreditation Details

The Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges regionally accredits the University of California Irvine to grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET accredits the computer science and engineering programs.

University of California Irvine Application Requirements

Undergraduate

• Complete and submit the online UC Application

• Pay the nonrefundable $70 application fee for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants

• Submit official high school transcript

• Submit official scores for SAT or ACT exams

• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously enrolled

Graduate

• Complete the Online Application for Graduate Admissions

• Pay the nonrefundable graduate application of $105 for domestic applicants and $125 for international applicants

• Submit official scores from the GRE test and/or other related graduate level standardized exams

• Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended

• Submit three letters of recommendation

• Submit supplemental materials for certain programs

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Undergraduate

• California resident full-time student: $15,082 per year

• Non-resident full-time student: $41,764 per year

Graduate

• California resident full-time student: $11,220 per year

• Non-resident full-time student: $32,086 per year

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Department at the University of California Irvine offers a variety of options to help students pay for their college education. Scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study are available options for students.

Scholarships

• The Regents’ Scholarships

• UCI Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship

• UCI Opportunity Fund Scholarship

• Malcolm Stacy Memorial Scholarship

• Osher Foundation Scholarship

• American Association of University Women Scholarship

• Mabel Wilson Richards Scholarship

• Dean’s Award for Community Engagement

• Middle Class Scholarship

Grants

• Federal Pell Grant

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

• Cal Grant

• UC Irvine Grant

• UC Discovery Grant

Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• Federal Direct PLUS Loan

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

• Federal Perkins Loan

• Hawk Loan

• University Loan

• DREAM Loan

Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study program provides money that students earn by working part-time jobs either on or off campus. This program also enables students to gain work experience. Students are typically paid on a bi-weekly basis. Exact pay varies on employer, position, qualifications, and work tasks.

Computer Science at the University of California Irvine

The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers computer science programs through its Department of Computer Science. The undergraduate programs include a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering, which is offered jointly with The Henry Samueli School of Engineering. The graduate programs include a Master of Science in Computer Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science. The bachelor’s degree in computer science focuses on the principles of computing that motivate today’s modern world. Students learn about low-level architecture and systems, middle-level infrastructure, algorithms, and mathematical foundations. The program also enables students to study a wide range of topics in modern computing. Students must complete the requirements for one of the nine specializations: algorithms, bioinformatics, networked systems, visual computing, information, architecture and embedded systems, general computer science, intelligent systems, and systems and software. The core courses for all specializations include introduction to programming, intermediate programming, data structure implementation and analysis, introduction to software engineering, introductory computer organization, and design and analysis of algorithms. Students must complete two project courses. The bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about both hardware and software of computers and the application of computers to real-world issues. The program includes methods of organizing and manipulating information and the design of computers and their components. The core courses include computer networks, principles of operating systems, introduction to digital systems, introduction to programming, network analysis, systems engineering and technical communications, organization of digital computers, and concepts in programming languages. The master’s degree in computer sciences enables students to concentrate in informatics or embedded systems. Students must complete either a thesis component or a comprehensive examination. Examples of courses in the embedded systems concentration include introduction to embedded and ubiquitous systems, computer systems architecture, computer and communication networks, network and distributed systems security, parallel computing, modern microprocessors, software engineering, and real-time computer systems. Examples of courses in the informatics concentration include social analysis of computing, user interface design and evaluation, research in human-centered computing, seminar in informatics, research methodology for informatics, qualitative research methods in information systems, and quantitative research methods in information systems. The doctoral degree in computer science requires the completion of courses in seven areas: data structures and algorithms, architecture/embedded systems, system software, artificial intelligence, networks/multimedia, database systems, and scientific and visual computing. Students must also complete a research project, advancement to candidacy examination, doctoral dissertation, and final examination. The computer science programs at the University of California Irvine prepare students for a variety of careers in the computer science field.

Related resource:

50 Most Advanced University Computer Science Departments 2016