Freshman Online Advising
Computer Science is a discipline concerned with the study of computing with focus towards programming, automating tasks, creating tools to enhance productivity, etc. Computer Science provides tools that are central in exploring and solving problems in engineering, biology, finance and many other disciplines.
The Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science provides students with the breadth and depth to succeed in this rapidly changing science. Degree requirements include courses in programming languages, data structures and algorithms, operating systems, compilers, software engineering, and computer organization, as well as mathematics, statistics and the natural sciences. Graduates of this program are well-prepared for immediate employment in either the computer industry or many other businesses that increasingly rely on computer science.
The Computer Science main office is located on the second floor of the Engineering & Technology building (ET 240). Students and visitors are encouraged to visit us and familiarize themselves with our location.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), http://www.abet.org/
Students are encouraged to use the College of Engineering’s website as a resource for linking to the department’s information, where advisement information is kept up to date with current information. See http://coen.boisestate.edu/
The information provided below is not a substitute for personal advisement, but is a first step in getting registered for classes for students that cannot attend an on-campus advisement session. Students with questions after reading the material on this page are encouraged to email their questions to the Chair of the Computer Science program, Professor Murali Medidi mmedidi@boisestate.edu
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?
How many credits should I sign up for?
What is the most important thing I can do to be a successful engineering student?
Academic Advising
What Mathematics course do I take?
The first question is to determine the appropriate level of Mathematics course to register for. This is the most important factor, as, for example, Math 147 is a pre-requisite for COMPSCI 125, Chem 111 and Math 187. The following information, taken from the Fall 2006 Schedule of Classes, can be used in conjunction with your Math ACT or SAT scores to determine the appropriate math course to take the first semester. If you do not have an ACT or SAT score, the COMPASS exam is available to make the placement decision.
- Students that score between between 18 and 22 for ACT, or between 430 and 530 for the SAT, should sign up for Math 108 (Intermediate Algebra).
- Students that score between 23 and 28 on the ACT, or between 540 and 640 for the SAT, should sign up for Math 147 (Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, or pre-Calculus)
- Students that score 29 or higher on the ACT, or 650 or higher on the SAT should sign up for Math 187.
- Students that receive an AP placement score of 3, 4 or 5 on the Calculus AB Advanced Placement exam, do not need to take Math 170, and should take Math 187. These students in the following semester, should Calculus II, Math 175. Math 187 is a pre-requisite course for COMPSCI 242.
- Students that receive an AP placement scores of 3, 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC exam, should take Math 187. These students have completed the equivalent of Math 170 and Math 175 and do not need to take either of these courses.
If you feel that the ACT or SAT exam score does not accurately reflect your ability in Math, or did not take recently take the ACT or SAT, then we recommend you take the COMPASS placement examination to determine the appropriate mathematics course. Your highest placement score is used (whether SAT, ACT or COMPASS). Boise State University has a testing center where the Math COMPASS exam can be taken for $10.00. To take the COMPASS placement exam, bring photo ID and cash to cover the testing fee. Call 208 426 2762 to obtain information about when the testing center is open. You are allowed to take the exam twice each semester or during the summer, if you desire. It is worthwhile reviewing some math before taking the exam!
The mathematics course sequence in Computer Science, beginning from the lowest, and moving up, is as follows: Math 15, Math 25, Math 108, Math 147, Math 187, Math 170. The Compass Exam results may suggest other math courses you are qualified to take, but you should restrict yourself to the ones on the list, taking the one that you qualify to take as a result of the Compass exam.
- A score lower than a 40 on the Algebra portion of the Math Compass exam the student should take MATH 025
- A 40 or higher on the Algebra portion of the Math Compass is needed to enter MATH 108
- A 61 or higher on the Algebra portion of the Math Compass is needed to enter MATH 147, MATH 143 or COMPSCI 120 (COMPSCI 197 for S07)
- A 51 or higher on the College Algebra portion of the Math Compass is needed to enter MATH 144
- A 51 or higher on the Trigonometry portion of the Math Compass is needed to enter MATH 170 and COMPSCI 125
An excellent online mathematics program to learn math on your own, or to just review math during the summer, can be found at http://www.aleks.com/ If you work this online tutorial for an hour a day during the summer, you may find that you learn enough algebra to move your COMPASS scores up to the next level math course. This will save you a semester in college and also the tuition fees.
What level English do I sign up for?
- A score of 0 to 17 on the ACT English, or 200 to 440 on the SAT Critical Reading qualifies you to take ENGL 90.
- A score of 18 to 24 on the ACT English, or 450 to 560 on the SAT Critical Reading qualifies you to take ENGL 101.
- A score of 25 to 30 on the ACT English or 570 to 690 SAT Critical Reading qualifies you to take ENGL 102.
- A score of 3 or 4 on the AP English Composition exam qualifies you to take ENGL 102.
- A score of 5 on the AP English Composition exam means you do not have either of the freshman English courses (ENGL 101 or ENGL 102). Of course, you may want to take an advanced English course, but that is up to you. You have tested out of Freshman English.
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 does require a math placement of MATH 147 or equivalent but does not require any other programming course as a prerequisite and there is no Computer Science placement test.
We want our students to be successful when they take their first computer science course so choice of a starting computer science course depends most on your self evaluation of your computer skills. If your experience using a computer consists only of email, web browsing, MS Office, etc., you may not have the preparation to be successful in COMPSCI 125.
The Computer Science department has created a new course, COMPSCI 120 Intro to Programing Concepts. This course introduces computer science concepts and constructs and prepares students specifically to be more successful in COMPSCI 125. COMPSCI 120 will not teach you a general-purpose programming language. This is also not a general introduction to the field course. It has a prerequisite of MATH 108 or equivalent COMPASS math placement test scores. Student could also consider COMPSCI 119 Intro to Java if they have had some programming experience in another language long ago and want to just enter COMPSCI 125 knowing the JAVA syntax.
Now that I know what Mathematics, English and Computer Science courses to take, what else do I sign up for?
The following section is broken out by Math placement level.
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 187
If you place into Math 170
If you place into Math 15 or Math 25
- Math 15 or Math 25 (3)
- English (3)
- COMM 101 and/or another Area I or II class (3 or 6)
- University 101 (3)
- Total Credits: (12 or 15)
- Math 108 (4)
- English (3)
- COMM 101 or another Area I or II class (3)
- Another Area I or II class (3)
- Total Credits: (13)
Note 1: 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.
- Math 147 (5)
- English (3)
- ENGR 110 (4) [Fall offering only].
- COMPSCI 120/197, COMM 101 or another area I / II class (2 or 3)
- Total Credits: (14 or 15)
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 187 (4)
- English (3)
- Chem 111 (4) OR PHYS 211 and 211L [see note below]
- COMPSCI 120/197, Introduction to Concepts in Programming (2) or COMPSCI 125 (4). Do not take COMPSCI 125 unless you have done some programming in a general-purpose procedural language like Pascal, C, C++, Java, Basic or Fortran.
- Optional: Area I or Area II elective (e.g. COMM 101)
- Total Credits: 13 or 15 (or 16/18 if COMM 101 is taken)
- Math 170 (4)
- English (3)
- Chem 111 (4) OR PHYS 211 and 211L [see note below]
- COMPSCI 120/197 (2) or COMPSCI 125 (4). Do not take COMPSCI 125 unless you have done significant programming in a general-purpose language like Pascal, C, C++, Java, Basic or Fortran.
- Optional: Area I or Area II elective (e.g. COMM 101)
- Total Credits: 13 or 15. (or 16/18 if COMM 101 is taken).
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 overload it and have to repeat classes. So keep it 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 15 different freshman students from fall 2005 to you, an incoming student:
- 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 additional information on a Computer Science Degree at Boise State University,
please refer to the program website
For more recommended courses check out the 2006-2007 Catalog
Academic and career advising are integrated for engineering students because there is a strong relationship between the student’s educational and career goals. Based on each student’s individual circumstances, personal development and skills, advisors provide advice on:
- Degree planning, academic requirements, policies and procedures
- Career exploration, information and preparation
- Exploration of necessary skills, and
- Referral to campus resources.
To make an appointment or to request department information, you can contact:
Dr. Murali Medidi
Department of Computer Science
College of Engineering
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-2075
email: mmedidi@boisestate.edu
To request more information about the Computer Science Department and its programs, contact the office:
Telephone: (208) 426-2283
Fax: (208) 426-2470
Email: office@cs.boisestate.edu