Information and Policies
Introduction
The UC Santa Cruz B.A. in network and digital technology provides students with in-depth knowledge of the underlying structure and function of network and computer technology and the design processes that make those technologies function. The program is tailored to students who wish to combine technology with other fields or have a general focus on digital design or computer networks. The B.A. in network and digital technology is not an engineering degree, but B.A. graduates will be prepared to work with technology development in other capacities, or join the computer network workforce. Students interested in graduate study should pursue a B.S. program.
Academic Advising for the Program
The Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in School of Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications. Undergraduate students obtain and submit all paperwork requiring departmental approval to the undergraduate advising office. Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
advising@soe.ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840
Program Learning Outcomes
For the Network and Digital Technology B.A. degree the program learning outcomes are:
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an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
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an ability to design a system, component, or process;
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an ability to communicate effectively; and
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an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Major Qualification Policy and Declaration Process
Major Qualification
Declaration of the network and digital technology major is based on performance in the following lower-division courses and associated labs required for the major. Students in their first six quarters who have completed at least 36 credits in these courses with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.30 or greater will be admitted to the network and digital technology major.
All of the following
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| AM30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
| MATH23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
Whichever is completed first
Plus one of the following
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Whichever is completed first
Plus one of the following
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Whichever is completed first
Plus all of the following
| CSE12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
Plus one of the following
| CSE13E | Embedded Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
Plus all of the following
| CSE16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
Plus one of the following lecture/lab options
Plus one of the following lecture/lab combinations
Cumulative GPA
Students seeking to change their current major to network and digital technology after their sixth quarter must have completed the courses listed above with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.30.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director through the Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, college, and Office of the Registrar of the decision.
How to Declare a Major
For instructions about how to declare a major in the Baskin School of Engineering, please refer to the department's website.
Transfer Information and Policy
Transfer Admission Screening Policy
Students should complete at least six courses from the following list
Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
| AM30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
| MATH23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
| CSE12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE13E | Embedded Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
| PHYS5A | Introduction to Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS5L | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS6A | Introductory Physics I | 5 |
| PHYS6L | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS5C | Introduction to Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS5N | Introduction to Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS6C | Introductory Physics III | 5 |
| PHYS6N | Introductory Physics Laboratory | 1 |
AM 30 and MATH 23A are alternatives; only one or the other, whichever is completed first, can count toward the six courses.
AM 10 and MATH 21 are alternatives; only one or the other, whichever is completed first can count toward the six courses.
AM 20 and MATH 24 are alternatives; only one or the other, whichever is completed first can count toward the six courses.
CSE 13E and CSE 13S are alternatives; only one or the other, whichever is completed first, can count toward the six courses.
PHYS 5A and PHYS 5L are alternatives to PHYS 6A and PHYS 6L; only one or the other can count toward the six courses.
PHYS 5C and PHYS 5N are alternatives to PHYS 6C and PHYS 6N; only one or the other can count toward the six courses.
The cumulative GPA should be at least 2.3 in all of the courses attempted from the list above regardless of whether the course is one of the six used to qualify.
Students entering UC Santa Cruz by fall 2020 and students who have catalog rights to follow the 2018-19 catalog may follow the screening requirements published in that catalog.
Students who wish to graduate in two years are strongly recommended to complete eight courses from the above list before coming to UC Santa Cruz.
Getting Started at UCSC as a Transfer Student
Transfer students should declare their major in their first quarter at UC Santa Cruz. Instructions for declaring a major in the Baskin School of Engineering are on the department's major declaration page.
Letter Grade Policy
All students admitted to a School of Engineering major, or seeking admission to a major, must take all courses required for that major for a letter grade. This policy includes courses required for these degrees that are sponsored by other departments.
Course Substitution Policy
Undergraduate engineering students who wish to substitute a major course with a course from UC Santa Cruz must first consult the School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising Office. The advising office requires a Petition for Course Substitution be approved before credit for an alternate course can be applied to any School of Engineering major requirement.
Petition forms are available at the Undergraduate Advising Office and online.
Petitions and procedures for approval must be obtained from and submitted to the Undergraduate Advising Office.
Double Majors and Major/Minor Combinations Policy
Students completing the Network and Digital technology B.A. cannot also receive the computer engineering minor.
Students completing the Robotics Engineering B.S. or the Computer Engineering B.S. cannot receive the Network and Digital Technology B.A. degree.
Honors
Majors are considered for “Honors in the Major” and “Highest Honors in the Major” based on their GPA and on results of undergraduate research and other significant contributions to the School of Engineering. Students with a GPA of 3.70, in most cases, receive highest honors. Students with a GPA of 3.30, in most cases, receive honors. Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research or contributions to the School of Engineering may be considered with a lower GPA.
School of Engineering Policies
Please refer to the School of Engineering section of the catalog for additional policies that apply to all School of Engineering programs.
Materials Fee and Miscellaneous Fees
Please see the section on fees under the School of Engineering.
Requirements and Planners
Course Requirements
All students in the network and digital technology major must take the following courses. The senior comprehensive requirement is satisfied by completion of the capstone course and the portfolio exit requirement.
Lower-Division Courses
Students who may have originally pursued another major should discuss with the Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office whether or not already completed coursework may be substituted for one or more lower division-requirements.
One of the following
| AM10 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers I | 5 |
| MATH21 | Linear Algebra | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| AM20 | Mathematical Methods for Engineers II | 5 |
| MATH24 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 5 |
Plus one of the following
| AM30 | Multivariate Calculus for Engineers | 5 |
| MATH23A | Vector Calculus | 5 |
Plus both of the following
| CSE12 | Computer Systems and Assembly Language | 5 |
| CSE12L | Computer Systems and Assembly Language Laboratory | 2 |
Plus one of the following
| CSE13E | Embedded Systems and C Programming | 7 |
| CSE13S | Computer Systems and C Programming | 7 |
Plus all of the following
| CSE16 | Applied Discrete Mathematics | 5 |
| CSE20 | Beginning Programming in Python | 5 |
| CSE30 | Programming Abstractions: Python | 7 |
| MATH19A | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
| MATH19B | Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics | 5 |
Plus one of the following lecture/lab combinations
Plus one of the following lecture/lab combinations
Upper-Division Courses
All of the following
| CSE100 | Logic Design | 5 |
| CSE100L | Logic Design Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE150 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 5 |
| CSE150L | Introduction to Computer Networks Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE185E | Technical Writing for Computer Engineers | 5 |
Plus one of the following options
Electives
Three additional 5-credit, upper-division electives, and associated laboratories, from the approved list or the department's approved list of electives.
Digital Technology Focus
Students wishing to focus on digital technology should consider including among their courses the following (lecture-lab combinations are counted as one course):
| CSE120 | Computer Architecture | 5 |
| CSE121 | Microprocessor System Design | 5 |
| CSE121L | Microprocessor System Design Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE125 | Logic Design with Verilog | 5 |
| CSE125L | Logic Design with Verilog Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE101 | Introduction to Electronic Circuits | 5 |
| ECE101L | Introduction to Electronic Circuits Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
Network Technology Focus
Students wishing to focus on network technology should consider including among their courses the following (lecture-lab combinations are counted as one course):
| CSE101 | Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms | 5 |
| CSE130 | Principles of Computer Systems Design | 5 |
| CSE131 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 5 |
| CSE151 | Advanced Computer Networks | 5 |
| CSE151L | Advanced Computer Networks Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE156 | Network Programming | 5 |
| CSE156L | Network Programming Laboratory | 2 |
Adviser
In all cases, students should discuss their interests and elective choices with their faculty adviser.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division disciplinary communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in network and digital technology is satisfied by completing CSE 185E, Technical Writing for Computer Engineers.
| CSE185E | Technical Writing for Computer Engineers | 5 |
Comprehensive Requirement
One of the following courses must be completed. This course cannot be counted as one of the three required electives. Lecture/lab combinations count as one course.
| CSE115A | Introduction to Software Engineering | 5 |
| CSE121 | Microprocessor System Design | 5 |
| CSE121L | Microprocessor System Design Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE125 | Logic Design with Verilog | 5 |
| CSE125L | Logic Design with Verilog Laboratory | 2 |
| CSE156 | Network Programming | 5 |
| CSE156L | Network Programming Laboratory | 2 |
| ECE118 | Introduction to Mechatronics | 5 |
| ECE118L | Introduction to Mechatronics Laboratory | 2 |
In addition, students are required to submit a portfolio and complete the exit survey. Students whose submissions are deemed inadequate, either in presentation or in content, may be required to revise and rewrite the portfolio or to complete an additional project course. The portfolios must be turned in electronically by the last day of the quarter of graduation. The online form can be found on the Computer Science and Engineering Department web pages. The portfolios will be reviewed quarterly by the computer science and engineering undergraduate committee and must include the project report of the student's capstone course.
Planners
The following are two sample academic plans: (1) a four-year plan for first-year students with no prior programming experience, and (2) a two-year plan for transfer students that have completed all lower-division major requirements except AM 30, CSE 12 and CSE 12L, CSE 13E or CSE 13S, and CSE 30. Students completing the courses in the four-year planner will have satisfied the MF and SI General Education requirements.
Four-Year Major Planner for Network and Digital Technology
Two-Year Planner for Transfer Students
Curriculum charts for all BSOE majors are available at the department's website.