You may also find it useful to look through the UMass Registrar's FAQ on grades and classes.
General Questions
Q: How do I receive permission to enroll in more than 19 credits in a single semester?
You can appeal for "credit overload" to the college's academic advising office. The department has no say in the matter.
Q: What are the requirements for a high school senior who is enrolling in Computer Science at UMass Amherst?
You first need to be admitted to the university and express an interest in the major. The admissions
department then decides whether to admit you directly into the major -- usually this requires that you
do well in high school precalculus as well as meeting the general requirements for admission to the
university. Once you are here, we figure out whether you are ready to take calculus (at the engineer's
level) and Java programming. Even if admissions does not put you directly into the major, we will accept
you in if you do well in calculus and programming (and acceptably in your other courses). That is, you can enroll in these classes without being in the major. The admisisons process for the BS and BA degrees are the same. Note that students are by default put into the BS program, but can switch immediately to the BA when they arrive on campus.
Q: I have AP credit from high school. How do I figure out what courses at UMass I can get credit for given the exam score?
A: UMass has a standard list of AP equivalences that you should check. It was written in 2008 and might be slightly out of date.
Q: I have taken, or would like to take, some classes at another university and I would like to transfer the credit to UMass. Is there a list of classes that are already approved?
A: Yes we have a short list for colleges that are nearby. If there is a course you have taken, or a university or college that is not listed, contact us and ask for course approval. See a question below on just how many courses you can transfer in. It differs for the minor and BS degrees.
The 5-Course CS Minor
Q: I am interested in the computer science minor. How much math experience do I need?
A: There is no specific mathematics requirement for the computer science minor, but all the courses require R1 proficiency (such as MATH 104). It's true that CMPSCI 240 and 250 require MATH 132 as a corequisite or prerequisite. MATH 131 and MATH 132 are thus recommended, but students without those math courses can still complete the minor by taking other "core" CS courses such as CMPSCI 201 or CMPSCI 220.
Q: Is the minor really only 5 classes? I thought it was 10 classes?
A: It used to be 10 classes, but we revised the program. If you are in the old program, in almost all cases, it's strictly easier to complete the 5-course minor.
Q: Can I take classes in another department to complete the CS Minor?
A: Yes and No. You may transfer in equivalent courses for 121 or 187 taken at another university. But the three upper-level (200+) courses of a minor must be courses taken in our department. Classes taken at the Five Colleges do not count towards this residency requirement.
The BS degree
Q: I know there are now two rules for completing the BS: The OLD RULES and the NEW RULES. If I complete one or the other, will my diploma be any different?
A: Both are a "BS in Computer Science" and the same diploma. If you complete a specific track (also called a "subplan") in the new rules, it will appear on your unofficial transcript, but not on your diploma.
Q: The Department's web pages state that I need two science classes, but Spire says that I need three. What's going on?
A: Students must take three science classes to meet the University's General Education requirements. Those classes can be just three credits each, do not have to include a lab, and do not need to count towards any department's degree requirements. However, our BS degree requires two science classes that are 4 credits, have a lab component, and count toward some department's degree program; by completing those two classes, students complete two of the three classes required for GenEds with one more remaining.
Q: How many classes can I transfer into the BS?
A: In the old BS rules, 5 of your 9 classes taken at the 300-level or above must be taken in our department (not including 305). In particular, classes taken at the Five colleges do not count towards this 5-class residency requirement. In the new BS rules, 5 of your 8 electives must be taken at UMass. Again, classes taken at the Five colleges do not count towards this requirement.
Q: Can the two 4-credit "science" classes that I need to take be in two different departments.
A: Yes. For example, you can take Chem 111 (4cr) and Physics 151 (3cr) and Physics153 Lab (1cr) for a total of 8 credits. GeoSciences is also a popular option. We are looking for a class that is in the sciences, that has a lab, and counts towards that other department's major. If you want to suggest a new class, ask us (ahead of time) and you will find that we are flexible.
Q: What is CS 291SP Computer Systems Principles and how does it fit into my degree options?
A: To complete the BS, students must take 201 Architecture, 220 Prog. Methodology, 240 Reasoning Under Uncertainty, and 250 Intro to Computation. CS291SP is a new class, and students can take CS291SP instead of CS201 Computer Architecture as part of that requirement. In other words, only one of 201 and 291SP count towards the degree. Students in the Minor can take and use both 291SP and 201 towards the minor, but if your plans are to eventually switch from the Minor to the BS, that's not a good plan. Note: Beginning Fall 2010, students taking 291SP must also take 291SR (required additional credit for 291SP).
Q: I'm interested in getting into the gaming industry. What track should I join?
A: We do not have a specific track in gaming, however, a number of our students have gone on to work in the gaming industry. Gaming is a broad collection of CS topics, and fortunately, we do offer the right courses to cover them. You should complete the set using the General Computer Science track. Specifically, we suggest: CS 320 Software Engineering, CS325 Usability, CS377 Operating Systems, CS383 Artifical Intelligence, CS453 Computer Networking, CS 473 Computer Graphics, and CS529 Software Eng Project Management. Also Physics 151 and 152 as your science requirement. There are usually other relevant courses offered as well. We've also recently offered Programming on the iPhone, and have had courses in Flash and multimedia topics. We also suggest minoring in Art (contact Prof Galvis-Assmus) or at least taking Art Dept courses in digital graphic design.
The new BS degree requirements
Q: How do I switch to the NEW RULES if I'm an existing student in the major?
A: There is a form that you need to fill out in the main office, but it won't affect what you can register for during pre-reg. If you want to graduate this February, it is urgent that you switch right now. Otherwise, you should do it soon. Note that once you switch, you can't go back.
Q: If one wants to move to the new degree requirements, would that paperwork need to be done before add/drop ended or could it be done at anytime?
A: Please do this soon, and not just before you graduate. We have no experience with how long it takes the univeristy to process the paperwork. Additionally, we schedule classes partly on the basis of the number of students in each program and what they need to graduate.
Q: A class I need for completing a Track isn't offered next semester. What do I do?
A: During this transition period between the two rules, it's hard to offer everything that students need to graduate. If you are stuck, please ask Dave Mix-Barrington, Robbie Moll, or Brian Levine what you can substitute.
Q: If I finish two subplans (tracks), would they both appear on my transcript?
A: Only the registered subplan will appear on your transcript. A student can put on their resume anything about their degree that is true. So "BS in computer science, software engineering track, also filled all requirements for the networking track" would be fine.
Q: I am in the BS using the new rules. SPIRE says that I don't have a subplan and it appears none of my classes count towards the degree. What's going on?
A: Until you chose a subplan, your degree audit will show you as having a missing subplan. The "GENCOMPSCI" is not the default for SPIRE.
The old BS degree requirements
Q: I am in the BS using the old rules, but I want to take a 300-level course to fulfill my electives. Can I do that?
A: Yes, but they have to be 300-level classes in the CS department and count towards the major. The course description will tell you.
Q: I'm in the OLD RULES for the BS and I need to take two semi-elective classes to graduate. It seems only 453 and 401 are available in spring 2010. Is there no other option?
A: Yes there are two other options. First, 535 is being offered,
but it is re-named 391IB. If you take 391IB, it fulfills the 535
requirement. Second, we are accepting 446 Search Engines as a
semi-elective.
Q: I'm in the OLD RULES for the BS. Can I use 300-level CS classes to fulfill the electives I need to graduate?
A: Yes there are two options! Both 365 Digital Forensics and 391IB Inside the Box count towards the requirement. Spire will tell you that you need a 400-level class, but we will override this requirement upon graduation.
The Foreign Language Requirements
Q: I need some advice on the college's Foreign Language (FL) requirement. Should I contact my CS advisor?
A: As of May 2010, students in the B.S. program no longer have FL requirements. Students in the BA do. Note that the Department doesn't set the FL requirements, and so your advisor can't help. To get help, including credit for courses taken in high school that don't appear yet on your transcript, you need to contact the College of Natural Science (CNS) advising center.They are in 220 Morrill II, or you may call them at 413-545-1969. Ask for Ms. Elaine Moe (ejmoe [at] cns [dot] umass [dot] edu). Bon chance! ご幸運を祈ります!
Q: I took the lanaguge placement test in language x. How do I find out my grade? Whom do I contact to interpret what the grade means?
A: You can check your grade on Spire once it is available. Or call the New Students Program
for your score, and you should talk to the x department about what course
would be appropriate to start in.
