You can declare the CS Minor either when you're taking CS 149 or CS 159, but you must apply for full admission to the minor the semester you are taking CS 159.

Your first classes

CS 101 [optional]: This course provides an overview of what CS is and what to expect from the field.

CS 149: This course is an introduction to programming; the course assumes you have no prior experience. MATH 155/156 is a required prerequisite, and you must earn a B or better in CS 149 to move on.

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 at the same time as CS 159.

Requirements for admission to the CS minor

Students wishing to minor in CS must meet the 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

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.

• Fill out the application for full admission to the CS minor.
• Declare CS as your Minor in MyMadison. If you need direction, here's a tutorial.

If you'd. like to discuss any details, schedule a meeting with our CS Minor Advisor, Paige Normand: https://jmu-cs.as.me/advisor

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).

Traditional core CS
CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 261, CS 327. This sequence combines theory and algorithmic analysis with introductory systems programming. Lots of coding in Java and C, combined with a solid mathematical foundation.

Traditional core CS with concurrency
CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 261, CS 361. This sequence has less focus on theory, but introduces multithreaded and network-based programming. The additional CS 361 course requires more C programming.

Software engineering and information systems
CS 343, CS 345, CS 374, CS 347 or CS 447. This sequence combines professional software engineering practices with databases, web programming, and user interface design.

Societal impact and user experience
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
CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 327, CS 442. This sequence focuses on the mathematical theory and formal logic structures that create the foundation of CS.

Artificial intelligence and robotics
CS/MATH 227, CS 240, CS 354, CS 444. This sequence covers a lot of the same areas as the Interdisciplinary Robotics Minor, but focuses exclusively on the software side of the field.

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.