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 grade 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.
  • 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 distributed to current graduate students each Winter Quarter (January). Students should fill-out the form and submit it to be reviewed by a Graduate Advisor. The Graduate Advisor will evaluate the student's submitted form, transcripts, and identify any remaining deficiencies. Once the evaluation is completed, the Graduate Program Coordinator 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.
  • 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).