Visual and Interactive Computing, BSE
The Visual and Interactive Computing (VIC) program is an interdisciplinary major in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Penn. As a full-fledged Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree, it combines major coursework in computer graphics, human-computer interaction, and artificial intelligence within the Computer & Information Science Department and Fine Arts courses from Penn's School of Design. The program was designed for students who have an interest in animation, human-centered methods in interface design, AI-generated media and experiences, and the design of virtual reality environments and interactive technologies.
For more information: https://www.cis.upenn.edu/visual-and-interactive-computing/
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | ||
| CIS 1100 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 1 |
or CIS Elective 1 | ||
| CIS 1200 | Programming Languages and Techniques I | 1 |
| CIS 1210 | Programming Languages and Techniques II | 1 |
| CIS 2400 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 1 |
| CIS 2210 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 1 |
| CIS 3200 | Introduction to Algorithms | 1 |
| CIS 4600 | Interactive Computer Graphics | 1 |
| or CIS 5600 | Interactive Computer Graphics | |
| Choose Two Intermediate VIC Courses: | 2 | |
| Advanced Rendering | ||
or CIS 5610 | Advanced Computer Graphics | |
or CIS 4620 | Computer Animation | |
or CIS 5620 | Computer Animation | |
or CIS 3500 | Software Design/Engineering | |
or CIS 4710 | Computer Organization and Design | |
or CIS 5710 | Computer Organization and Design | |
or CIS 4120 | Introduction to Human Computer Interaction | |
or CIS 5120 | Introduction to Human Computer Interaction | |
| CIS 4970 | DMD Senior Project | 1 |
| CIS Electives 1 | 4 | |
| Math & Natural Science | ||
| MATH 1400 | Calculus, Part I | 1 |
| MATH 1410 | Calculus, Part II | 1 |
| or MATH 1610 | Calculus for the Mathematical Sciences | |
| ESE/ENM 2030 | Linear Algebra with Applications to Engineering and AI | 1 |
| or ENM 2400 | Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | |
| CIS 1600 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 1 |
| ESE 3010 | Engineering Probability | 1 |
| or STAT 4300 | Probability | |
| MEAM 1100 & MEAM 1470 | Introduction to Mechanics and Introduction to Mechanics Lab | 1.5 |
| or PHYS 0150 | Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | |
| or PHYS 0170 | Honors Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion | |
| Select from the following list: | 1.5 | |
| Introduction to Biology A | ||
| Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life and Introductory Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I | ||
| Engineering Electromagnetics | ||
| Principles of Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism and Radiation | ||
| SEAS Math (EUMA) or SEAS Natural Science (EUNS) | 1 | |
| Fine Arts & Design Electives | ||
| FNAR 0010 | Drawing I | 1 |
| or FNAR 2090 | Hand-Drawn Computer Animation | |
| or FNAR 2200 | Drawing Investigations | |
| or FNAR 1080 | Figure Drawing I | |
| DSGN 1030 | 3-D Computer Modeling | 1 |
| or DSGN 2220 | Immersive Media Studio | |
| DSGN 2040 | Environmental Animation | 1 |
| or FNAR 1050 | Mixed Media Animation | |
| or FNAR 2100 | Computer Animation | |
| Select 3 Fine Arts & Design Electives 2 | 3 | |
| General Electives 3 | ||
| Select 5 Social Science or Humanities courses | 5 | |
| Select 2 Social Science or Humanities or Technology in Business & Society courses | 2 | |
| Free Elective 4 | ||
| Select 1 free elective | 1 | |
| Total Course Units | 37 | |
- 1
A CIS Elective is a CIS or NETS engineering course at the 1000 level or above, or any of the following: ESE 3030, ESE 3600, ESE 5390, ESE 5460, or BMIN 5010. (NOTE: not all CIS/NETS courses are engineering courses; please see the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook.) At most, one CU of 1000-level coursework may be used as a CIS Elective.
- 2
Fine Arts & Design Electives must come from the department-approved course list.
- 3
-
Must include a Writing Seminar from the list below:
WRIT 0020 (H), WRIT 0021 (SS), WRIT 0100 (H),WRIT 0110 (H), WRIT 0120 (H), WRIT 0130 (H), WRIT 0140 (H), WRIT 0150 (H), WRIT 0160 (SS), WRIT 0170 (SS), WRIT 0220 (TBS), WRIT 0230 (H), WRIT 0250 (H), WRIT 0260 (H), WRIT 0270 (H), WRIT 0280 (SS),WRIT 0300 (H), WRIT 0310 (TBS), WRIT 0320 (-), WRIT 0330 (H), WRIT 0340 (SS), WRIT 0370 (SS), WRIT 0380 (SS), WRIT 0390 (H), WRIT 0400 (TBS), WRIT 0410 (H), WRIT 0480 (SS), WRIT 0490 (H), WRIT 0500 (SS), WRIT 0550 (SS), WRIT 0570 (H), WRIT 0580 (H), WRIT 0590 (SS),WRIT 0650 (TBS), WRIT 0670 (H), WRIT 0680 (H), WRIT 0730 (H), WRIT 0740 (TBS)
- 4
-
Penn Engineering undergraduates may not use courses on this list toward their degree:
- ASTR 0001
- CHEM 1011
- CIS (CSE)
- EAS 5030 (SEAS UG students may register for EAS 4030 for TBS credit)
- EAS 5050 (SEAS UG students may register for EAS 3010 for TBS credit)
- Education (inter-session courses)
- MATH 1300, MATH 1700
- MCIT courses
- Military Science
- Naval Science (except NSCI 1020, NSCI 2010 , NSCI 2020, NSCI 3010, NSCI 4010, NSCI 4020)
- Organizational Dynamics (DYNM) courses
- PHYS 1100, below PHYS 0140 (except PHYS 0050, PHYS 0051)
- Statistics below 4300 (Note: effective Fall 2021 STAT 4050 and STAT 4220 can only be used as free electives)
- Perelman School of Medicine (MED courses)
- Wharton Global Youth Pre-Baccalaureate courses
- The Green Program (TGP) study abroad
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| CIS 1100 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 1 |
| MATH 1400 | Calculus, Part I | 1 |
| Drawing Requirement (FNAR 0010, FNAR 2090, FNAR 2200, or FNAR 1080) | 1 | |
| Writing Seminar | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 1200 | Programming Languages and Techniques I | 1 |
| CIS 1600 | Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science | 1 |
| MATH 1410 | Calculus, Part II | 1 |
| Visualization Requirement (DSGN 1030 or DSGN 2220) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 1210 | Programming Languages and Techniques II | 1 |
| CIS 2400 | Introduction to Computer Systems | 1 |
| PHYS 0150 | Principles of Physics I: Mechanics and Wave Motion or Introduction to Mechanics and Introduction to Mechanics Lab | 1.5 |
| Animation Requirement (FNAR 1050, DSGN 2040, or FNAR 2100) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.50 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 4600 | Interactive Computer Graphics | 1 |
| CIS 2210 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 1 |
| Fine Arts & Design Elective (see approved list) | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS 3200 | Introduction to Algorithms | 1 |
| CIS Elective | 1 | |
| STAT 4300 or ESE 3010 | Probability or Engineering Probability | 1 |
| Fine Arts & Design Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS Elective | 1 | |
| Intermediate VIC Course (CIS 3500, CIS 4610, CIS 5610, CIS 4620, CIS 5620, CIS 4710, CIS 5710, CIS 4120, or CIS 5120) | 1 | |
| Linear Algebra (ESE 2030/ENM 2030 or ENM 2400) | 1 | |
| Natural Science with lab (BIOL 1101, BIOL 1121 + BIOL 1123, CHEM 1012 + CHEM 1101, ESE 1120, PHYS 0151, or PHYS 0171) | 1.5 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.50 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CIS Elective | 1 | |
| Intermediate VIC Course (CIS 3500, CIS 4610, CIS 5610, CIS 4620, CIS 5620, CIS 4710, CIS 5710, CIS 4120, or CIS 5120) | 1 | |
| Fine Arts & Design Elective (see approved list) | 1 | |
| Math or Natural Science Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| CIS 4970 | DMD Senior Project | 1 |
| CIS Elective | 1 | |
| General Elective | 1 | |
| Free Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 37.00 | |