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department:minor-advising [2020/04/13 12:24] – normanap | department:minor-advising [2024/01/16 16:07] – [Course Path Illustrations] normanap | ||
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====== Getting Started ====== | ====== Getting Started ====== | ||
- | If you are currently | + | |
+ | You can declare the CS Minor either when you' | ||
**Your first classes** | **Your first classes** | ||
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CS 159: The second part of the introduction to programming. While you are taking CS 159, set up an advising appointment with me to declare the minor. To continue beyond this course, you must apply for full admission before the last day of class. | CS 159: The second part of the introduction to programming. While you are taking CS 159, set up an advising appointment with me to declare the minor. To continue beyond this course, you must apply for full admission before the last day of class. | ||
- | CS/MATH 227 [optional]: Not required for the minor, but this is a prerequisite for many CS courses. Many students take this as the same time as CS 159. | + | CS/MATH 227 [optional]: Not required for the minor, but this is a prerequisite for many CS courses. Many students take this at the same time as CS 159. |
**Requirements for admission to the CS minor** | **Requirements for admission to the CS minor** | ||
- | Students wishing to minor in CS must meet the [[https:// | + | Students wishing to minor in CS must meet the [[https://wiki.cs.jmu.edu/department/fulladmission/start|admission requirements]]. These requirements apply to all students who are not officially declared CS minors at this time, regardless of what year you currently are. |
**How to apply for and declare the CS minor** | **How to apply for and declare the CS minor** | ||
- | If you have not yet taken CS 159 and you are not currently taking it, stop here. You CANNOT apply to the CS minor until you are either | + | If you have not yet taken CS 159 and you are not currently taking it, stop here. You CANNOT apply to the CS minor until you are taking CS 159.\\ |
- | You will need to bring the following | + | * Fill out the [[https:// |
+ | * Declare CS as your Minor in MyMadison. If you need direction, here's a [[https:// | ||
- | * A completed [[https:// | + | If you'd. like to discuss any details, schedule a meeting with our CS Minor Advisor, Paige Normand: |
- | * A mostly completed [[https://www.jmu.edu/ | + | |
- | * A Major/Minor Change Declaration submitted to MyMadison. If you need direction, here's a [[https:// | + | |
====== Typical CS minor plans of study ====== | ====== Typical CS minor plans of study ====== | ||
+ | |||
The CS minor requires completing CS 149, CS 159, and four additional CS courses (excluding CS 260 and CS 280). One of the four courses you choose must include CS 240, CS 261, or CS 345. Note that CS 240 requires a calculus prerequisite (MATH 231 or equivalent) that does not count toward the CS minor. You should select courses that you find appropriate to your goals. Here are common sample plans that students use (these are NOT official tracks and you do not have to adhere to any of them). | The CS minor requires completing CS 149, CS 159, and four additional CS courses (excluding CS 260 and CS 280). One of the four courses you choose must include CS 240, CS 261, or CS 345. Note that CS 240 requires a calculus prerequisite (MATH 231 or equivalent) that does not count toward the CS minor. You should select courses that you find appropriate to your goals. Here are common sample plans that students use (these are NOT official tracks and you do not have to adhere to any of them). | ||
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**Software engineering and information systems**\\ | **Software engineering and information systems**\\ | ||
- | CS 345, CS 347, CS 374, CS 447. This sequence combines professional software engineering practices with databases, web programming, | + | CS 343, CS 345, CS 374, CS 347 or CS 447. This sequence combines professional software engineering practices with databases, web programming, |
**Societal impact and user experience**\\ | **Societal impact and user experience**\\ | ||
- | CS 101, CS 330, CS 345, CS 447. This sequence includes coursework in the ethical implications of computing (including security and privacy) and user interface design. | + | CS 343, CS 330, CS 345, CS 447. This sequence includes coursework in the ethical implications of computing (including security and privacy) and user interface design. |
**Theory and logic**\\ | **Theory and logic**\\ | ||
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CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 354, CS 444. This sequence covers a lot of the same areas as the [[https:// | CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 354, CS 444. This sequence covers a lot of the same areas as the [[https:// | ||
- | ====== | + | **Mathematics and Algorithms**\\ |
+ | CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 327, and either CS 412 or CS 442 | ||
+ | This sequence focuses on the core mathematical foundations of CS, providing the tools for analyzing the efficiency of algorithms that are used to solve common problems. These courses also explore problems that are inherently difficult--if not impossible--to solve with a computer. | ||
- | Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about the minor. | ||
- | **I've never programmed before. Can I really do the CS minor?**\\ | ||
- | **YES!** Many students are worried about trying out CS because they' | ||
- | |||
- | **Should I do a CS minor? Would that be marketable when I look for a job?**\\ | ||
- | Of course you should do a CS minor. Unless you shouldn' | ||
- | |||
- | **Do I have to declare the CS minor before registering? | ||
- | Initially no. In fact, you can't. You have to take CS 149 and CS 159 before you can apply for the minor. However, all courses after that (with the exception of CS/MATH 227) are restricted to students granted full admission into the CS major and CS minor. | ||
- | |||
- | **Why do I have to wait to submit an application? | ||
- | Application to the CS minor is based on a number of factors, including your grades in **__both__** CS 149 and CS 159. Until you have grades in these courses (or are in the process of taking CS 159), there is not enough information to consider your application. | ||
- | |||
- | **Can I register for later classes while my application is pending? | ||
- | No, but you should plan ahead. You need submit your application //while// you are taking CS 159. Applications will be considered //after// grades for CS 159 have been finalized. Once the admission decisions have been made, you will be granted an override and should try to register as soon as possible. | ||
- | |||
- | **How long does it take to complete the CS minor?**\\ | ||
- | The CS minor takes a **minimum of three semesters**; | ||
- | |||
- | **Are there CS courses that do not count toward the minor?**\\ | ||
- | Yes. Currently, CS 260 and CS 280 do not count toward the minor. | ||
- | |||
- | **Does ISAT 344, ISAT 345, ISAT 460, etc., count toward the minor?**\\ | ||
- | You have to be **very careful** here and consult the current [[https:// | ||
- | |||
- | **I found some information that said CS 239 was required or that I can take CS/MATH 228, but I don't see these courses offered. Why not?**\\ | ||
- | Because they don't exist anymore. CS 239 has been replaced by CS 159, and CS/MATH 228 has been replaced by CS 327. | ||
- | |||
- | **Are there restrictions on when I can take certain courses? | ||
- | Yes. Although you can typically count on courses required for CS majors to be offered every semester (though there are some exceptions), | ||
- | |||
- | **Do you offer courses during the summer or Maymester? | ||
- | 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. | ||
- | |||
- | **Can I take a community college equivalent course over the summer?** | ||
- | Yes, but you need to make sure it is approved. Talk to [[https:// | ||
- | |||
- | **Can I substitute course XXX for the CS course YYY?**\\ | ||
- | Generally no, but there is an exception. MATH 245 can be used in place of CS/MATH 227, both as a prerequisite and also to count toward the CS minor. Other than that, no. | ||
- | |||
- | **What about CIS 221, MATH 248, IA 241, or ISAT 252?**\\ | ||
- | No. None of those courses can be substituted for CS 149, or any other CS course. | ||
- | |||
- | **Can I take CS 240 at the same time as CS 159 or CS/MATH 227? Can I take CS 240 if I haven' | ||
- | No. The prerequisites for CS 240 are strictly enforced. You must complete all of CS 159, CS/MATH 227, and MATH 231 (or an equivalent calculus) with a grade of C- or better in each course before you can take CS 240. |