Apr 04, 2025  
2025-2026 College Catalog 
  
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Admission and Registration
  Tuition
  Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance
  Workforce Development
  Veterans and Servicemembers


  Areas of Interest
  Academic Programs
  Courses
  Academic Departments


  Academic Information and Policies
  Student Services
  Community Services
  Directories and Maps
  My Portfolio
HELP
2025-2026 College Catalog

Computer Science, A.S.

Program Code: T.CSC.AS.TEC

Graduation requirement: 60 credit hours

Baccalaureate degree programs in Information Technology have traditionally grown from a number of different disciplines, including Mathematics, Business, and Engineering. Computer Science (CS) degrees usually have a general theoretical emphasis. Computer Engineering degrees have a hardware emphasis.

At the two-year level, the CS degree provides a good foundation for further study in most fields of Computer Science. Engineering degrees are most specific to future engineering study.

To transfer into a baccalaureate degree program in Computer Science as a junior, students need to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits. Students are strongly encouraged to complete an A.S. degree prior to transfer. Since admission is competitive, completion of the recommended courses does not guarantee admission.

Students should plan their transfer programs with a faculty advisor and the catalog of the four-year college or university they plan to attend.

Program Notes

  • PHY 141  is required for students planning to transfer to UIUC and others.
  • IAI CS 922, Computer Organization, is not offered at Parkland. Check with your transfer institution to see if it is required in their program.
  • Computer Information Systems transfers to UIUC School of Business, Management Information Systems.
  • General Education Core Curriculum requirements for the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree do not fully satisfy the IAI General Education Core Curriculum (GECC)  requirements. Additional courses to complete the GECC may be taken at Parkland or after transferring. Contact Academic Advising for guidance on completing the GECC.
  • Recommended courses are designed to facilitate completion of the A.S. degree and transfer into a four-year college or university with junior standing.

Recommended General Education Courses

The following courses are recommended to fulfill General Education requirements for this degree:

Recommended Elective Courses

The following courses are recommended as options to fulfill general electives for this degree:

Graduation Requirements for the Associate in Science Degree

General Education Core Courses: 32 credit hours

Note: One course taken in Humanities, Fine Arts, or Social/Behavioral Sciences must be a Non-Western culture course.

Communications: 3 courses (9 credit hours)

Take all three:

Social/Behavioral Sciences: 2 courses (6 credit hours)

Humanities and Fine Arts: 2 courses (6 credit hours)

Mathematics: 1 course (3 credit hours)

Physical and Life Sciences: 2 courses (8 credit hours)

Additional Math and Science Courses: 6 credit hours

Take the following:

  • one additional mathematics course (MAT)
  • one additional physical or life sciences course (AST, BIO, CHE, ESC, PHY, or SCI)

Any transfer-focused course in these subjects will meet the requirements, even if it is not on the GECC list above.  Transfer-focused courses have an even middle number, such as BIO 100 or MAT 124.

General Elective Courses: 22 credit hours

Choose general elective courses to meet the 60 credit hour graduation requirement.

General electives include any transfer-focused courses (courses with an even middle number, such as MGT 101 or ART 121).

Students should work with their advisor to choose electives that match their interests and transfer plans.  Some four-year universities prefer transfer students to complete specific coursework.  Contact the Academic Advising office for assistance with course planning.

Suggested Full-time Sequence

The following sequence includes recommended general education/elective courses.  If the desired course is not available that semester, choose a different general education/elective course.

1st Semester (Fall)

2nd Semester (Spring)

3rd Semester (Fall)

4th Semester (Spring)