Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements

Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements

In addition to the requirements included as part of the application for admission, applicants are also expected to demonstrate proficiency in several fundamental areas of computer science and mathematics. These are referred to as the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements. Upper-division or graduate-level course equivalents may be used to satisfy each area, as outlined below. 

The following areas and specified UC Davis courses exemplify the material:

♦   Computer Science Theory Area (one course)
    -- ECS 120 (Theory of Computation), ECS 220 (graduate-level Theory of Computation), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis
    -- ECS 122A (Algorithm Design and Analysis), ECS 222A (graduate-level Design & Analysis of Algorithms), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis

♦   Software Area (one course)
    -- ECS 140A (Programming Languages), ECS 240 (graduate-level Programming Languages), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis
    -- ECS 160 (Software Engineering), ECS 260 (graduate-level Software Engineering), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis

♦   Operating Systems Area (one course)
    -- ECS 150 (Operating Systems and System Programming), ECS 251 (graduate-level Operating Systems), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis
    -- ECS 154B (Computer Architecture), ECS 201A (graduate-level Advanced Computer Architecture), or equivalent course from outside UC Davis

  • What are the grades required to satisfy the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements?
  • A grade of B or higher is required for each course used to satisfy these requirements.
  • How can I determine if a class that I took is equivalent?
  • Please refer to our Schedules and Classes webpage for course outlines and summaries to determine equivalency. Those equivalent to 100-level courses should be upper-division, and those equivalent to 200-level courses should be graduate-level. 

    The embedded links above also link directly to the course description webpage.
  • The courses should be upper-division or graduate-level in order to satisfy the requirements. What does "upper-division" mean?
  • "Upper-division" courses are advanced undergraduate courses typically taken during the junior and senior years of a four-year university. These courses are more in-depth and specialized than lower-division undergraduate courses, which are typically taken during the first two-years of undergraduate study. 

    At UC Davis, upper-division courses are indicated as 100-level courses.
  • Are courses taken at a community college typically considered equivalent courses to satisfy these requirements?
  • No. Most community colleges only offer courses equivalent to lower-division classes.
  • Can I be admitted if I haven't yet satisfied all areas of the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements?
  • Students may be admitted with one or more deficiencies in the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements. If admitted, current graduate students may plan to satisfy any remaining deficiencies by taking either the upper-division (100-level) or graduate-level (200-level) equivalent courses.
  • I've just been admitted to the program. Can I submit my Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements form to be evaluated before I start the program?
  • No. 

    The Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements form should be submitted by current GGCS graduate students ONLY. Please plan to submit the form after you have started the program in the Fall, or later in the academic year.
  • I'm considering applying /  I've applied for admission to the graduate program. Can I submit my Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements form for review while I await my admissions decision?
  • No. 

    Please do not submit the form unless you are an active GGCS graduate student.
  • Is there a form to submit that shows which areas are satisfied, and which are yet to be satisfied? What is the process?
  • The Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements form is submitted by current GGCS graduate students ONLY. The form may be accessed via THIS LINK. The form will be reviewed by a faculty Graduate Advisor, who will evaluate the student's submission and identify any remaining deficiencies. 

    Once the evaluation is completed, the GGCS Coordinators will notify the student of their satisfied requirements, and remaining deficiencies, if any. Once all areas are satisfied, the student's Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements are completed.

    In-progress or projected coursework is acceptable to list, however students should resubmit an updated form once the outstanding coursework has been completed.
  • How long does it take to evaluate my Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements form? When will I receive the results?
  • The evaluation process typically takes several weeks to complete. Students should generally expect it to take up to 8-10 weeks to receive the notification of the evaluation results.  
  • By when should the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements be completed?
  • It is expected that the student will complete the Prerequisite Proficiency Requirements by the time an MS student Advances to Candidacy, and before a PhD student takes their Qualifying Exam (QE).