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Fall 2026 Application Is Open

Apply Now (Refer to Steps 1-5)

Applications for Fall 2026 admission will be reviewed monthly on a rolling basis through the final deadline of September 16.

Upcoming Review Dates

  • June 17
  • July 15
  • August 19
  • September 16 (final deadline)

Applications submitted after a review date will automatically roll into the next review cycle. Applicants can typically expect a decision within a few business days after their application is reviewed.

Questions? Attend an information session or contact us directly.

Computer Science at Bellevue College

The Computer Science Department at Bellevue College offers a supportive, inclusive environment where students of all backgrounds can engage deeply with the field of computing. Whether you’re working towards a full bachelor’s degree or exploring computer science through individual courses, our department is committed to providing high-quality instruction, hands-on learning, and personalized support. Explore our courses and programs to discover where computer science can take you.

Programs of Study

Our department offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science – the first four-year computer science degree available at a community or technical college in Washington State. Since its launch in 2017, the program has welcomed new cohorts annually and built a strong record of preparing students for careers at leading technology companies like Amazon, Microsoft, T-Mobile and more.

While the department only administers the bachelor’s degree, the College offers a variety of associate degrees (two-year degrees) and certificates (10-60 credits) that can include computer science courses to support a range of educational and career goals.

Thinking about a future in tech? Bellevue College’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science can prepare you for what’s next. This four-year, 180-credit program builds expertise in programming, problem-solving, and system design, applying math and computer science theory to real-world computing challenges.

Learn more about the degree:

  • Admissions Process; Admissions opens in spring for a fall quarter start.
  • Degree Requirements for the standard BS in Computer Science
  • Degree Requirements for the BS in Computer Science: Data Science emphasis; Students can choose to specialize in data science as part of the program. This emphasis meets the growing demand for computer science professionals with strong data skills. You’ll learn how to use math, statistics, artificial intelligence, and computing tools to work with complex datasets, giving you the skills to find insights, solve problems, and build smart, data-driven systems. Pursuing the data science emphasis changes some of the CS core and elective requirements.

Thinking about earning a two-year degree to transfer, start a career, or continue towards a bachelor’s degree at BC? Bellevue College offers a variety of associate degrees to support your goals. Along the way, you can also take computer science courses that fit into your program and help you build valuable, in-demand skills. Common courses include: CS 209, CS 210, and CS 211.

If you’re planning to complete BS in Computer Science here at BC or a computing-related bachelor’s at a four-year institution (e.g. UW, WSU, Seattle U, etc.) and want to earn an associate degree beforehand, we recommend looking into the transfer associate degree options. Talk to an STEM pathway advisor to see which associate’s is best for you and to get started on developing a personalized education plan.

If your goal is to enter the workforce with practical training, a professional-technical associate degree may be a better fit. For computing-related professional/technical associate’s, students are encouraged to meet with an Technology & Data pathway advisor.

Explore the associate degree options at Bellevue College.

Want to build real-world skills and boost your career options without committing to a full degree? Bellevue College offers a wide range of certificates programs that can help. For computing-related certificates, we recommend exploring the options offered by the School of Business & Technology.

Advisors in the Advising Center are available to support you in planning your coursework for a certificate.

Explore certificate options at Bellevue College.

Course Offerings

Whether you’re exploring computer science for the first time, fulfilling a prerequisite for a major, or looking to strengthen your skills in computing, our courses offer valuable opportunities to engage with the field. Learn more about course offerings from the Computer Science Department on Class Search > Course Catalog (under Class Information) > Search “computer science”.

  • CS 101 – Technology and Computer Science (5)
  • CS 209 – Introduction to Computer Programming (5)
  • CS 210 – Fundamentals of Computer Science I (5)
  • CS 211 – Fundamentals of Computer Science II (5)
  • CS 212 – C++ Data Structures (5)
  • CS 250 – Management Information Systems (5)

Unless otherwise noted, each course is 5 credits.

Core CS Courses for the BS in Computer Science

  • CS 300 – Data Structures
  • CS 320 – Programming Languages
  • CS 331 – Database Systems
  • CS 351 – Computer Architecture I
  • CS 360 – Operating Systems
  • CS 401 – Algorithms
  • CS 410 – Software Engineering
  • Standard Option Courses
    • CS 481 – Senior Capstone I (3cr)
    • CS 482 – Senior Capstone II (4cr)
    • CS 483 – Senior Capstone III (3cr)
  • or Data Science Emphasis Courses
    • CS 310 – Python for Data Science
    • CS 460 – Machine Learning
    • CS 495 – Data Science Project Practicum

CS Electives for the BS in Computer Science

  • CS 310 – Python for Data Science
  • CS 311 – Software Patterns
  • CS 341 – Computer Networks
  • CS 350 – Systems Programming
  • CS 356 – Computer Security
  • CS 370 – Internet of Things
  • CS 380 – Web Programming
  • CS 390 – Introduction to Cryptography
  • CS 408 – Computer Graphics
  • CS 411 – Software Engineering Project Management
  • CS 412 – Advanced Java Programming
  • CS 420 – Theory of Computation
  • CS 430 – Image Processing
  • CS 440 – Human – Computer Interaction
  • CS 441 – Functional Programming
  • CS 450 – Distributed Systems
  • CS 455 – Cloud Computing
  • CS 460 – Machine Learning
  • CS 461 – Computational Linguistics
  • CS 462 – Big Data Systems
  • CS 465 – Deep Learning
  • CS 470 – Mobile Application Development
  • CS 473 – AI Principles and Techniques
  • CS 485 – Computer Science Co-Op/Practicum (variable cr)

Registration

Any Bellevue College student may register for 100- or 200-level CS courses (e.g., CS 101, CS 212), provided they meet the prerequisites. 300- and 400-level CS courses are typically reserved for students admitted to BC’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) program.

Registration for select 300/400-level CS courses may be available to students outside of the BSCS program with program approval, provided there is space is available in the course and prerequisites are met. A registration request form will be posted to this page a few weeks after registration opens each quarter (Academic Calendar). Requests are accepted only for Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, as 300/400-level CS courses are not offered in Summer. Submission of a request does not guarantee enrollment or issuance of a permission number.

300/400-level Request Form

Students who are not currently enrolled in the BSCS program may use this form (open now to September 24) to request registration for Fall quarter 300/400-level CS courses.

Registration Help by Course Prefix

For questions or help with registering for courses with the following prefixes, please contact:

Bellevue College Computer Science • (425) 564-2744 • cs@bellevuecollege.edu • Latest Blog: STEM Magazine • Instagram • LinkedIn