====== CS Graduation Requirements ======

===== Graduation application =====
Done electronically through MyMadison\\
Select the “Graduation” link in the “other academic” dropdown menu\\
Tutorial available from JMU: https://www.jmu.edu/computing/ittraining/e-training/graduation-application/

**Timeline**\\
December graduates: applications open in early May and begin being reviewed in early September\\
Spring graduates: applications open in early October and begin being reviewed in early February\\

==== Current requirements (Catalog Year 2019 and later) ====
  * CS 159
  * CS 227
  * CS 240
  * CS 261
  * CS 327
  * CS 345
  * CS 361
  * CS 430
  * Algorithms: CS 412 (applied) or CS 452 (theoretical)
  * Systems elective: CS 432, CS 450, CS 455, CS 456, or CS 470
  * 3 CS electives numbered 300 or higher
    * Only one can be less than 345
    * Can use cross-listed courses: MATH 448, MATH 449
  * Calculus: MATH 231+232 or MATH 235
  * Statistics: MATH 220, MATH 229, or MATH 318
  * Major GPA of 2.0 or better

==== Previous requirements (Catalog Year 2018 and earlier) ====
  * CS 159
  * CS 227
  * CS 240
  * CS 261
  * CS 327
  * CS 345
  * CS 361
  * CS 374
  * CS 430
  * Technical Writing: CS 260 or CS 280 (Spring 2020, Section 1, Dent)
  * Systems elective: CS 432, CS 450, CS 455, CS 456, or CS 470
  * 3 CS electives numbered 300 or higher
    * Can use cross-listed courses: MATH 448, MATH 449
  * Calculus: MATH 231+232 or MATH 235
  * Statistics: MATH 220, MATH 229, or MATH 318
  * Major GPA of 2.0 or better

==== Technical writing ====

CS 260 is no longer being offered. If your catalog year is 2018 or older, and you have not taken CS 260/280(Dent), you **must** change your catalog year.

Here's what you will see in your Academic Requirements report will look like if you're missing your Technical Writing course:

{{:student:graduation-preparation:technical-writing-deficit.png?400|}}

**Changing your Catalog Year**

Email ''buchhofp@jmu.edu''

Include your student ID number, old year, and desired new year. If you have not taken an algorithms course, you **must** enroll for CS 412 or 452 in your final semester. CS 374 (Databases) will count as an elective class if you have taken it.

==== Checking graduation requirements ====
View your Academic Requirements report in MyMadison\\
  * https://www.jmu.edu/computing/ittraining/e-training/mymadison-academic-requirements-report/

Everything needs to be resolved before you are allowed to apply for graduation!

[[https://www.jmu.edu/computing/mymadison/tutorials/schedule-advisor-appointments.shtml|Contact your advisor]] if you see anything you think is wrong in the report.

Note: the department will make substitutions or waivers only in rare cases:
  * Transfer students may not have received official transfer credit for 159 or 240
  * Elective classes outside the department that were approved before enrollment


==== Major GPA ====
Weighted average (by credit hours) of:
  * Every CS course (including cross-listed ones)
  * Calculus class(es)
  * Statistics

If a student has taken a course more than once, then only the highest grade is used to compute their major GPA, even if they did not retake a course with the repeat/forgive option