Ethics + Computer Science Integrated Degree  

How can we design artificial intelligence to protect and not harm humanity? Should we use algorithms to decide criminal cases? Can AI be designed to be fair to everyone in society? Each of these questions sits at the intersection of Ethics and Computer Science.

In the Ethics + Computer Science integrated degree, you will develop the technical and philosophical skills to answer these sorts of questions. Through the examination of moral and political philosophy, you will gain an understanding of key human values and principles, as well as theories of moral and political action.

This major will prepare students, immediately, for careers in data analysis, technology journalism, social research in technology, non-profit work, and the rising career of an AI prompt engineer. Additionally, graduates would be immediately eligible for some positions in computer science or related fields, such as video game design. The major can also prepare students for further study, resulting in additional career opportunities.

Required Courses (74–75 credit hours)

Philosophy & Ethics Requirements (29 credit hours)

• PHL 140: Logical Reasoning
• PHL 215: Technology Ethics
• PHL 216: AI & Data Ethics
• PHL 300: Philosophical Methods
• PHL 345: Philosophy of Science
• PHL 411: Ethics
• PHL 450: Minds & Machines
• PHL 451: What is Justice?
• PHL 471: How Do We Know?

Philosophy & Ethics Electives (6 credit hours)

• Choose one History of Philosophy Elective (3 credit hours):
  • PHL 351: Foundations of Western Thought
  • PHL 352: Modern Philosophy & Beyond
• Choose one Social Philosophy Elective (3 credit hours):
  • PHL 341: Philosophy of Law
  • PHL 364: Foundations of Political Thought
  • PHL 365: Modern Political Thought 

Computer Science Requirements (29 credit hours)

• CIS 151: Invitation to Computing
• CIS 260: Introduction to Programming
• CIS 265: Data Structures & Algorithms
• CIS 340: Systems Programming
• CIS 390: Introduction to Algorithms
• CIS 430: Database Concepts
• CIS 467: Artificial Intelligence
• DSA 469: Big Data
• CIS 475: Computer Security 

Cognate Requirements (12–13 credit hours)

• MTH 148: Mathematics for Business Majors I (3 credits) ORMTH 181: Calculus I (4 credit hours)
• MTH 149: Mathematics for Business Majors II or MTH 182: Calculus II (4 credit hours)
• MTH 220: Introduction to Discrete Mathematics (3 credit hours)
• EEC 414: Technical Communication (2 credit hours) 

Honors/University Scholars Requirements

Ethics + Computer Science (Cyber Ethics) Honors and University Scholars students are required to complete

• At least 12 of their upper-level course credits as designated Honors credits
• PHL 497H: Honors Project (3 credits)

The 12 Honors credits may be honors independent studies, graduate courses, and/or Honors Contract courses equally divided between Philosophy and Computer Science:

• Independent Research: Up to 3 credit hours may be completed in Honors independent research in either Philosophy (PHL 496H) or Computer Science (CIS 395H)
• Graduate Course Options: PHL600 or any 500-level Computer Science graduate course for which the student has the prerequisites.
• Honors Contract options: Honors Contracts may be added to most 300- or 400-level Philosophy or Computer Science courses. 

PHL 497H

All Honors/Scholars students in the B.S. in the Ethics + Computer Science (Cyber Ethics) program are required to complete an Honors research project in their senior year (PHL 497H), as a culmination of their Honors experience. This project should represent the work and interest of the student and integrate Philosophy and Computer Science. Students completing this requirement should register for PHL 497H, supervised by a Philosophy faculty member. A faculty member in Computer Science should also approve the project, at conception and completion.