There are a number of frequently asked questions.
Here are answers concerning ...
- Computing facilities
-
Computer science majors use the Department's workstation lab for most of their
computing work. The lab contains state-of-the-art workstations and can be
accessed remotely.
- Buying your own computer
-
Owning a personal computer, while not absolutely necessary, can be quite
convenient, making it possible, for example, to use the Department's computing
lab from your dorm room or from any place with an Internet connection. Another
potential convenience is that you may be able to do much of your programming
work on your own computer, avoiding the occasional rush on the lab machines.
But even if you bought the latest and fastest (and most expensive) machine you
should not expect to be independent of the department's lab. Programs often
need to be submitted electronically, or you may need to collaborate with other
students who are using the department's computers, or you may need to use
specific hardware and software available in the lab.
On the whole, you are likely to find having your own computer convenient if it
is Internet-capable and has a C++ compiler and a reasonable amount of main
memory and disk space. In addition, a word processor can be an advantage in all
classes. Beyond that, having the latest and fastest (and most expensive)
machine is not likely to make a substantial difference as far as your
Computer Science studies go.
If you are unsure about what to get or whether to get a computer at all, you
probably want to put off buying one until you have worked in our labs for
a while and have experienced the environment first-hand.
Also, you might want to check out
CU-Boulder Computer Recommendations
for more general information on buying a computer for use at CU Boulder.
- Transfer credits
-
Procedures and policies regarding transfer-credit are explained in the
2009-2010 University of Colorado at Boulder Catalog. Note especially that while the
Office of Admissions
performs an initial evaluation of transfer credit, it is the subsequent
evaluation of transfer credit by the department that determines if and
how such credit counts towards degree requirements.
- Changes in graduation requirements
-
Graduation requirements do change, but you are entitled to graduate under the
rules that were in place when you entered the program. You may later choose to
switch to a more recent set of rules, but you may not mix two sets. See
BS Degree Requirements
for more detail.
If you leave the program and re-enter it later, the rules in effect at the time
you re-enter the program are the ones that apply. An exception can be made if
the leave is approved beforehand by the Dean's office.
- Double major/MS degree
-
A double degree requires at least 30 hours beyond the requirements of a single
degree. You may find it more attractive to plan on a Master's degree instead.
You may also consider the
Concurrent BS/MS Degree.
- Foreign language requirement
-
Two years of a foreign language in high school are part of the college's
"Minimum Academic Preparation Standards" (MAPS). These standards are part of
the graduation requirements for the BS degree in Computer Science.
- Grades
-
Minimum grade requirements for the BS degree are specified in the
BS Degree Requirements.
In addition, a final grade of C- or better is required in prerequisite courses
to take a subsequent course. The Mathematics Department requires a C in
prerequisite courses.
- Graduate courses
-
With permission of the instructor and the department you may take graduate
courses. This option is usually reserved for seniors. An average grade of
approximately B or better is required.
- Linear Algebra courses
-
Any one of
- CSCI 2830-3, Linear Algebra with Computer Science Applications
- MATH 3130-3, Introduction to Linear Algebra
- APPM 3310-3, Matrix Methods and Applications
satisfies the linear algebra requirement and, together with Calculus 1 and 2,
provides the necessary math background for
CSCI 3656, Numerical Computation.
While
APPM 2360-4, Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra
can be used to satisfy the upper division math requirement, it does not include
enough linear algebra to satisfy the linear algebra requirement.
- Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS)
-
These are entrance requirements that are usually taken care of in high
school. They are part of the requirements for the BS degree in Computer
Science.
- "Open Option" first year
-
Incoming students can delay deciding on a major until the end of their first
year and still graduate with a BS in Computer Science within a total of four
years. In order to graduate in four years (rather than five), the
Computer Science 2: Data Structures course (CSCI 2270) must be taken
no later than the summer after the sophomore year.
- Pass/Fail
-
The Department allows courses counting as free electives to be taken Pass/Fail.
Students must petition the Department to take a course Pass/Fail. Note that the
College of Engineering and Applied Science has further restrictions on taking
a course Pass/Fail. These restrictions are outlined in the College's
Grading Policies.
- ROTC and PLC courses
-
You can count up to six hours total of ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)
credit and PLC (President's Leadership Class) credit and skills acquisition
courses combined towards the required total of 128 hours for graduation.
ROTC courses that satisfy social-humanistic credit are not counted in this
six-hour limit.
