How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Wyoming: The 120-Credit BS in Computer Science, ABET Accreditation and Gaokao English Scores Accepted, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Wyoming (Laramie campus), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Here is what you need to know, based on the university’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Degree and concentrations

• BS in Computer Science: ABET-accredited and offered on the Laramie campus.
• Concentrations: the program page says you can choose between Big Data and Computers & Business; the EECS undergraduate page lists optional concentrations in Business, Big Data or International Engineering. The two pages differ, so follow the department’s guidance when you plan courses.
• Certificates: you can add an undergraduate certificate in Cadastral Surveying or Cybersecurity.
• QuickStart BS/MS: especially well-qualified students can be admitted to the MS in their junior year, with up to six credits counting toward both degrees.

2. Curriculum (2026-2027 catalog year)

• Credits: at least 120, with at least 42 upper-division and at least 30 in math and science. All COSC, MATH and STAT courses require a C or better.
• First year: Computational Thinking/Programming and Computer Programming; Calculus I and II; two science electives; a communications course.
• Second year: Computer Organization, Data Structures, Discrete Structures; Introduction to Software Design, Algorithm Design/Analysis and Linear Algebra.
• Third year: Functional Programming, Ethics for Computer Professionals and Computer Security; one systems course and one theory course; a COSC elective and a math/science elective.
• Fourth year: Senior Design I and II; one operating systems course and one programming languages course; Fundamentals of Statistics; two COSC electives.
• Other rules: COSC electives must be at the 3000 level or above, with at most 3 credits of internship; science electives must have a lab; the systems, programming language, theory and operating systems options run in alternating semesters, so plan with an advisor; courses cannot be taken S/U for degree requirements unless offered S/U only.
• Math start: Calculus I requires a C in Math 1405 or 1450, a math placement level of 5, ACT Math 27 or SAT Math 640.

3. Admission

• First-year admission: rolling, with no fixed deadline. The first-year page says a cumulative high school GPA of 3.00–4.00 gives assured admission and 2.50–2.99 means admission with support. That page does not separate domestic and international students, and the international first-year page does not give a minimum GPA.
• High school curriculum: four years each of English, math (including Algebra I, II and geometry) and science (one year of physical science such as physics or chemistry), three years of social science, and four years of additional coursework (such as foreign language, fine arts or career education, two years in the same subject).
• Testing: SAT/ACT are not required for admission, though the university says scores can help secure higher financial awards.
• Entering or changing into the major: the website does not say whether computer science has separate entry criteria or internal transfer requirements. Confirm with the department (cosc@cs.uwyo.edu).

4. Deadlines and documents (international first-year)

• Applying: UW’s online application or the Common App; USD 40 non-refundable fee.
• Recommended deadlines (no year stated): June 1 for fall, November 1 for spring, April 1 for summer. Applications are still accepted later, but there may not be enough time for visa steps.
• Documents: official transcripts sent by your school or a NACES-approved agency, in the original language with an official English translation; English scores sent by the testing agency; a bank statement; a passport copy.

5. English requirements

• Undergraduate minimums: TOEFL iBT 71 (MyBest and Home Edition accepted); IELTS 6 (IELTS Indicator accepted); Cambridge B2 First; Duolingo 100; iTEP 4; PTE 50; ACT English 20; SAT ERW 460; CEFR C1-B2.
• Other accepted results: IB English HL 4 or above; AP English Language or Literature 4 or above; IGCSE/GCE O-Level or A-Level English C or above; HKDSE 4; Gaokao English 120 (94 in Jiangsu and Shanghai).
• Exemption: applicants whose native language is English and who are citizens of, or hold a university degree from, listed countries may be exempt; the list includes Canada (all provinces except Quebec), the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

6. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: Gaokao English 120 (94 in Jiangsu and Shanghai) meets the English requirement; how the overall Gaokao is used for admission is not published. Ask admissions (admissions@uwyo.edu).
• Transcripts: sent by your school or a NACES-approved agency, in the original language with an official English translation.
• A-Level: A-Level English at C or above meets the English requirement.
• IB and AP: IB English HL 4 or AP English 4 meets the English requirement; IB and AP exam results can earn credit, with official scores sent directly to admissions.
• Math: whether you can take Calculus I in your first semester depends on math placement or SAT/ACT math.

7. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Canadian citizens whose native language is English (all provinces except Quebec) are exempt from proof of English.
• Costs: the cost of attendance page groups non-resident and international students together; see section 9.
• Score requirements for the BC curriculum are not published. Ask admissions.

8. Transfer students

• A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, with additional requirements for some programs; at least 12 transferable credits, or you can still apply with fewer by sending your high school transcript.
• International transfer: same documents as first-year applicants, USD 40 fee; deadlines June 1 for fall, November 1 for spring and April 1 for summer.
• Transferring COSC credit: courses from outside UW are evaluated individually from the syllabus, and you may be asked for course materials; junior-level and above courses may require passing a department exam, and courses without their prerequisites will not transfer. Freshman and sophomore courses can be evaluated without exams. COSC 3050 Ethics and Senior Design I and II cannot be transferred. Courses that do not match are listed as electives, and you can petition to use them as COSC electives.
• New international transfer students do not qualify for the Brown and Gold Commitment and are considered for the Pokes Transfer Commitment instead.

9. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 (FY27) tuition: the undergraduate non-resident block rate is USD 11,235 per semester (for 12–18 credits); per-credit non-resident undergraduate tuition is USD 749. The cost of attendance page groups non-resident and international students together.
• Fees: advising USD 10 per credit, program fees USD 3–26 per credit, technology USD 65 per term; first-time and transfer students pay a USD 150 onboarding fee in their first semester. Use the cost of attendance calculator to estimate housing and food.
• Brown and Gold Commitment (international, fall 2027–spring 2028): for first-time, non-transfer international students, by cumulative GPA: 3.4–4.0 at USD 8,000 a year and 3.0–3.39 at USD 5,000 a year. Students must be degree-seeking on the Laramie or Casper campus, complete the general application in WyoScholarships each year, and, if selected, confirm enrollment by August 1. It renews for up to 8 semesters and normally cannot be combined with other institutional scholarships.
• The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences also offers more than 300 merit scholarships a year.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by June 1 for fall to leave time for the visa
• Prepare TOEFL 71 or IELTS 6.0; Gaokao English 120 (94 in Jiangsu and Shanghai) also works
• A high school GPA of 3.0 or above is considered for the Brown and Gold Commitment, with USD 8,000 a year from 3.4
• Build strong math so you can start Calculus I in your first semester

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Native-English Canadian citizens (except Quebec) are exempt from English tests; ask admissions how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• At least a 2.0 cumulative GPA; upper-level COSC credit may require an exam, and ethics and senior design cannot be transferred

Sources: University of Wyoming, BS in Computer Science; EECS undergraduate degrees; 2026 COSC curriculum (PDF); EECS transfer policy (PDF); First-year admission; International first-year admission; International transfer admission; English proficiency; Transfer admission; International Brown and Gold Commitment; Tuition and fees; Undergraduate cost of attendance. International deadlines do not state a year; tuition is for 2026-2027 (FY27) and scholarships for fall 2027–spring 2028. Check UW’s website for the latest.