Questions about the 5-course CS Minor.
Questions about the CS Bachelor's of Science degree
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
