What Mathematics course do I take?
What level English do I sign up for?
What Computer Science course should I take?
Now that I know what Mathematics and English courses to take, what else do I sign up for?
What is the most important thing I can do to be a successful engineering student?
What Mathematics course do I take?
The best guide is your catalog; see Mathematics Requirements in chapter 10. You can view math requirements for the current catalog online.
What level English do I sign up for?
Requirements for English are clarified in the catalog; see English Composition Requirements in chapter 10. You can view English Composition Requirements for the current catalog online.
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What Computer Science course should I take?
COMPSCI 125 is the first general computer science course required for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science students. COMPSCI 125 has a prerequisite of MATH 144 or MATH 147 or a satisfactory math placement score. No other programming course is required to enroll and there is no Computer Science placement test.
We want our students to be successful when they take their first computer science course so where you start mostly depends on your assessment of your computer skills. If your experience using a computer consists of checking email, browsing the web, and using MS Office, you may not be prepared for success in COMPSCI 125.
The Computer Science Department recommends COMPSCI 120 (Intro to Programing Concepts) for non-CS majors that would like a little exposure to computer science concepts. This course introduces computer science constructs and prepares students to be more successful in COMPSCI 125. COMPSCI 120 is not designed as a general introduction to the field and will not teach you a general-purpose programming language. The class has a prerequisite of MATH 108 or equivalent COMPASS math placement test scores.
Computer Science majors are recommended take COMPSCI 119 (Intro to Java) as preparation for COMPSCI 125 as needed.
Now that I know what Mathematics, English and Computer Science courses to take, what else do I sign up for?
One easy guide to follow is the Four-Year Plan. You can also map out a course plan based on your math placement (see below). For additional help planning your course schedule, consider talking to your academic advisor.
If you place into Math 15 or MATH 25
If you place into MATH 108
If you place into MATH 147
If you place into MATH 170
If you place into MATH 15 or MATH 25
- MATH 15 or MATH 25 (3 credits)
- English (3 credits)
- COMM 101 and/or another Area I or II class (3 or 6 credits)
- University 101 (3 credits)
- MATH 108 (4 credits)
- English (3 credits)
- COMM 101 or another Social Science (DLS) class (3 credits)
- Another Literature & Humanities (DLL) or Natural/Physical/Applied Sciences (DLN) class (3 credits)
Note: MATH 15 and MATH 25 do not give college credit because they contain knowledge that students are expected to remember from high school. MATH 108 is a 4-credit course. If you are enrolled in MATH 15 or MATH 25, you will need one more class to have a full-time load (which you may need for financial aid or for a scholarship). In this case, take a second 3-credit Area I or II class.
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If you place into MATH 147
- MATH 147 (5 credits)
- English (3 credits)
- ENGR 110 (4 credits) [Fall offering only].
- COMPSCI 119 , COMM 101 or another Social Science (DLS) class (2 or 3 credits)
Note: ENGR 110, Introducing Engineering is not a required course in the Computer Science program. It is designed to be a supplemental course that contains supplemental math tutoring for MATH 147 as well as instruction in various engineering topics.
MATH 170
- MATH 170 (4 credits)
- English (3 credits)
- CHEM 111/L (4 credits) OR PHYS 211/L (5 credits) [see note below]
- COMPSCI 119 (2 credits) or COMPSCI 125 (4 credits). Do not take COMPSCI 125 unless you have done significant programming in a general-purpose language like Pascal, C, C++, Java, Basic or Fortran.
Note: Computer Science majors have a choice between a year of Chemistry (CHEM 111/112), or a year of Physics (PHYS 211/212)
How many credits should I sign up for?
If you are planning to work 10 to 20 hours/week, don’t take more than 13 to 15 credits. Remember, your progress in mathematics is important, and it is better to take fewer credits the first semester than to be overloaded and have to repeat classes. So keep your credits low, and work harder at the ones you have with your time.
What is the most important thing I can do to be a successful student?
Do math homework every night! Do not save it up for the weekend. This is the most important thing to keep in mind. If you do at least 2 hours of math homework a day, you will be a successful engineering student. Here is some advice from former freshmen:
- Play!
- Spend time on your homework, learn what you’re doing!
- Don’t give up 1/4 or 1/2 way through! Find a small group of people to bounce ideas off.
- Don’t drop out!
- Don’t get behind in the homework, it’s hard to catch up but worth the effort if you do get behind.
- Do 2 hours of homework a night (this student got an A in Math)
- Do your homework as soon as possible after the class.
- Do all the homework assigned and do the practice problems the teacher assigns
- Do all your homework, and if you don’t understand something, ask someone immediately
- Always finish your homework!
- Practice
- Do your homework and much much more math than you’d like.
- All I can say is, you need to understand it, whether it takes tutoring or whatever, you need to understand.
- Review a teacher’s stats before signing up.
- Go to all your classes and do your homework.
For more recommended courses check out the Current Undergraduate Catalog