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student:advising:start [2019/11/12 14:59] – [Incoming Freshmen FAQ] normanapdepartment:advising:start [2023/05/12 14:52] – [Advising FAQ] normanap
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-====== Freshmen Spring Enrollment FAQ ====== 
  
-Q. What is the difference between **CS 227 and MATH 227**?+====== Helpful Links ======
  
-A. CS 227 and MATH 227 are essentially the same class. The main difference is CS 227 is taught by a CS professor (e.g., Mata-Toledo) and MATH 227 is taught by a Math professor (e.g., Jones). Only CS majors take that class, so just pick whichever one fits your schedule.+  * [[https://www.jmu.edu/cs/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/index.shtml|Sample Plans of Study]] 
 +  * [[https://wiki.cs.jmu.edu/department/curriculum/start| CS Curriculum Resources]]
  
----- 
  
-Q. Should I **wait** another semester to take **CS/MATH 227**? 
  
-A. No, unless your math placement score prevents you. CS majors typically take both 159 and 227 their 2nd semester (in addition to any other math courses like calculus or stats). Both 159 and 227 are required in order to move on to CS 240 next fall.+====== Advising FAQ ======
  
-----+Q. I'm just finishing up CS 149. What should I take next semester?
  
-Q. I'm not getting what I want. May I request an **override**?+A. CS 159 and CS 227. See our [[https://www.jmu.edu/cise/cs/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/index.shtml#plans|sample plans of study]] to see some common paths through the curriculum.
  
-A. If you have an unusual circumstance, then it might be possible to work things out. However please don't ask for an override just because you "really want" a specific section of a course. +----
  
 +Q. On the [[https://www.jmu.edu/cise/cs/academics/undergraduate/curriculum/index.shtml#plans|sample plans of study]] what is the difference between an "**elective**" and a "**CS elective**"?
  
-====== Upperclassmen Advising FAQ ======+A. One of your graduation requirements is to take three CS electives. Another graduation requirement is to take a minimum of 120 credits. Your GenEds account for about 41 and your CS major requirements count for around 52. That leaves around 27 credits to hit the 120 mark. You might have brought in credits through Dual Enrollment or AP Test credit that count toward your 120 credit requirement. 
  
-Q. I'm just finishing up CS 149. What should I take next semester?+Whatever the amount of credits you have remaining you need to take courses to meet the 120 credit minimum - these courses are called "electives." You can take classes that interest you (assuming you meet the enrollment prerequisities) or you could pursue [[https://www.jmu.edu/academics/undergraduate/minors/index.shtml|a minor]] to give some shape to those elective credits. 
  
-A. CS 159 and CS 227.+The 120 credit requirement is a hard requirement: the university under no circumstances will budge on this number - so one way or another, you have to get these credits to graduate. 
  
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 Q. I just finished CS 240 or 261. What should I take next semester? Q. I just finished CS 240 or 261. What should I take next semester?
  
-A. Whichever of the two that you haven't finished, plus anything else you can take given prerequisite and class scheduling restrictions. See Dr. Kirkpatrick's [[https://w3.cs.jmu.edu/kirkpams/advising.shtml | unofficial prerequisite map]]. +A. Whichever of the two that you haven't finished, plus anything else you can take given prerequisite and class scheduling restrictions. See the [[https://wiki.cs.jmu.edu/_media/department/curriculum/jmu_cs_curriculum.pdf | prerequisites tree]]. 
  
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-Q. Can you give me an **override into CS xxx**? I need it to graduate!+Q. I need to graduate in three semesters. Should I **take CS 240 or CS 261 first**?
  
-A. If you absolutely need a specific course to graduate *this* semester, talk to the undergraduate program coordinator--they are the only person who can give you an override.+A. Yes, both. Sorry, they are both prerequisites for so many courses that if you haven't had either and you want to graduate in three semesters you'll need to do both at the same time (and probably 345 as well). It will be quite tough, but with these timing constraints you might as well get used to hard semesters. If you can afford it, it would be far better to stay longer and move at a more reasonable pace.
  
 ---- ----
  
-Q. I need to graduate in three semesters. Should I **take CS 240 or CS 261 first**?+Q. I have a lot of space for **electives**. What should I do?
  
-A. Yes, both. Sorry, they are both prerequisites for so many courses that if you haven't had either and you want to graduate in three semesters you'll need to do both at the same time (and probably 345 as well). It will be quite tough, but with these timing constraints you might as well get used to hard semesters. If you can afford it, it would be far better to stay longer and move at a more reasonable pace.+A. Yes, the CS Major isn't that big, credit-wise, so you're in a good position to pick up a minor (or two) or even a second major!
  
-----+Some minors that have overlap with CS include math, robotics, computer information systems, environmental information systems, and logic & reasoning. A surprising number of CS students minor in music. 
  
-Q. I have a lot of **extra class slots** in my last two years. What should I do?+Most importantly: CS is an applied field. Where would you want to apply it? A minor could be a great opportunity to get some experience in that area.
  
-A. Congratulations! You've been on top of things and are well-positioned to pick up a minor or second major. Recommended minors include math, robotics, telecom, and logic & reasoning. Obviously, personal preference holds weight here as well. If you are interested in chemistry, music industry, or theatre, do it! JMU is a liberal arts college and you should take advantage of that.+Or -- since you're already doing the hard thing by pursuing a CS major -- maybe your minor could just focus on a passion or explore an exciting topic. What are you interested in? JMU is a liberal arts college and you should take advantage of that. 
 + 
 +See full [[https://www.jmu.edu/academics/undergraduate/minors/index.shtml|list of minors]].
  
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 A. We generally do not. On occasion, a faculty member may decide to offer one during the summer session, but that does not happen often and only for particular courses. We never offer courses during Maymester. A. We generally do not. On occasion, a faculty member may decide to offer one during the summer session, but that does not happen often and only for particular courses. We never offer courses during Maymester.
 +
 +----
 +
 +Q. I'm taking a **prerequisite class over the summer**; can I get an override into the CS course now?
 +
 +A. No. If you're taking, for example, MATH 231 over the summer, we will not give you an override into the CS course it is a prerequisite for (CS 240). You will not be able to enroll in the CS course until we know the final grade you made in the prerequisite class. That means the CS course you want might be filled up before you are able to enroll. 
 +
 +----
 +
 +Q. My enrollment is tomorrow and **I'm worried that [insert CS class] is going to fill up before I'm able to enroll.** Is there anything you can do to ensure that I get a seat?
 +
 +A. No. We do not offer preemptive overrides or guarantee seats in advance of your enrollment. If you can't get a seat, get on the waitlist. That's the only thing to do. 
 +
 +----
 +
 +Q. Can you give me an **override into CS xxx**? I need it to graduate!
 +
 +A. If you absolutely need a specific course to graduate *this* semester, talk to the undergraduate program coordinator, Dr. Buchholz (buchhofp@jmu.edu) -- he is the only person who can give you an override.
 +