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Computational Social Science CSS
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CSS Minor Curriculum

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The interdisciplinary minor in computational social science (CSS) at UC San Diego combines formalcausal models from the social sciences with statistics, programming, and large-scale data analysis. Advising for the minor is housed in the Department of Psychology.

Students are advised to strongly consider MATH 10A-B-C or MATH 20A-B-C and MATH 18 as preparation for upper-division electives.

CSS Minor Requirements

  • Required coursework:
    • 3 core courses in Computational Social Science -  CSS 1, CSS 2, CSS 100.  These core courses must be taken for a letter grade of C- or above. 
    • 4 upper-division electives (see list here).  
      • At least 2 of these electives must be selected from departments outside of the student's major field of study (e.g., a student with a major in Cognitive Science must take at least 2 electives that are not Cognitive Science courses).
      • At least 3 of these electives must be taken for a letter grade f C- or above (i.e., no more than 1 upper-division CSS elective course may be taken for Pass/No Pass).
  • A grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 2.0 in the CSS minor is required for graduation.
  • At least 4 upper-division courses towards the minor must be taken at UC San Diego

Guidelines for Applying for a CSS Minor

  • To declare or change your minor, use the online minor tool on TritonLink.
  • When completing the computational social science minor application, be sure to list exactly 7 courses (and only 7) or else your application will be denied.
  • You are not required to finish your minor as declared; you are only demonstrating your basic knowledge of minor requirements and will not be held to the classes listed.
  • You can only overlap up to 2 upper-division (UD) courses between your major and CSS minor.  Both departments must pre-approve the UD courses you plan to overlap.
  • Processing time for computational social science minor applications is 7-14 business days from the date you submit your application.
    • Applicants will be notified of any errors through the Virtual Advising Center. All students can check their status on TritonLink under the major/minor tool.