Computer Science - BSThis worksheet is a planning tool and enrollment guide for use when you enroll for your first semester. The purple area identifies the required major related courses and Cluster One GenEd courses to select from for your first semester. The green area, if present, identifies courses that are required for your major but are optional for the first semester. If you do not enroll in the optional courses your first semester you will do so in a later semester. |
||||||||||
Departmental Recommendations:Most incoming CS majors take 14-16 credits during their first semester. A typical schedule includes the following courses: 1. CS 101 or CS 149. Both of these courses are designed for students with no prior experience in computer science. CS 101 is an elective course that provides a broad overview of many aspects of the field. It is recommended for students who would like to gain additional background and experience before taking the required courses. CS 149 is the first required course of the major, and it provides an in-depth introduction to programming. Students must earn a B- or higher in CS 149 in order to progress in the major. Your advisor will help you decide which course to take first based on your academic preparation and personal interests. 2. Algebra (if required) or Calculus (if available). You should begin taking calculus by your second semester. If you place into MATH 155, then you must take it during your first semester. If you place into MATH 231 or MATH 235, then you may take it either in the fall or the spring, based on availability. If no MATH courses are available during your enrollment window (they tend to fill up quickly), then you may take another GenEd course instead. 3. Critical Thinking or Human Communication. You must take one of these Cluster 1 courses in the fall and the other in the spring. Select the course that most interests you and that fits your schedule. Read the course descriptions (not just the title) and make an informed decision. 4. Additional general education courses. If available, you may take WRTC 103, or you may enroll in any other course from Clusters 2, 3, 4, or 5. Use the Modified GenEd Planner at the end of this worksheet to identify potential courses to add to your schedule. If you scored a 5 on the AP CS A exam, then you already have credit for CS 149 and should take both CS 159 (Advanced Programming) and CS 227 (Discrete Structures I) during your first semester. Students in Army / Air Force ROTC, Honors College, Marching Band, and similar programs need to enroll in additional 1-credit or 2-credit courses. See the “Module 4” page for more information. In the end, your schedule should have five courses (or six if you need to take an additional 1-credit course). Do not attempt more than 16 credits without first consulting with your academic advisor. |
||||||||||
Placement Exams:Your placement exam scores identify the appropriate course level based upon your current skills. ALEKS Math Assessment Score: You need to know your ALEKS math assessment score to determine your math placement for the 1st-semester or a future semester. After completion of the math assessment, enter your score in the field below so you have this information available if you are required to take a math course your 1st-semester. If a math course is required the 1st-semester, it will be identified in the purple section below. If math is not listed, you will take math in a future semester. The MyMadison system will not allow you to enroll in a course other than your placement recommendation.
|
||||||||||
Major Requirement(s) for the 1st Semester |
||||||||||
| Course Subject Code / Course Number / Course Name | Fulfills | |||||||||
Major requirements: Enroll in ONE of these courses. See #1 in the Departmental Recommendations section above for information. CS 101: Introduction to Computer Science CS 149 Introduction to Programming: |
CS 101 - Introduction to Computer Science - 3 credit hours CS 149 - Introduction to Programming - 3 credit hours |
Major elective Major requirement |
||||||||
1st-Semester Math Requirement:If after you have taken the ALEKS assessment your score is < 56, enroll in MATH 155 first semester to stay on track for a 4-year degree completion. If your math score is above 55, refer to the 1st-Semester Options section below. |
|
Major requirement |
||||||||
Cluster One Requirement:Select ONE course from EITHER the Human Communications section OR the Critical Thinking courses for your 1st-semester. You will take a course from the other area in your second semester. The MyMadison system will not allow you to enroll in both a critical thinking and a human communications course in the 1st-semester. |
Human Communications course options:
Critical Thinking course options:
|
Cluster One requirement |
||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Course Subject Code / Course Number / Course Name | Fulfills | |||||||||
Calculus:Enroll in ONE of these courses based on your ALEKS score.
|
*MATH 199 is a gateway co-requisite designed to assist students who want to start calculus but need to review fundamental mathematics to be successful in MATH 231. Students will be registered for a total of 4 credit hours. The course is self-study-based and the only required meetings are drop-in proctored test-taking on Friday evenings. Grades are completely determined by the number of semester weeks that pass before the student successfully completes all of the exams. Once the exams are passed the student is no longer required to attend on Friday evenings. Students whose schedules prevent them from attending Friday sessions need to register for MATH 155. |
Major requirement |
||||||||
General Education CoursesComplete the schedule planning process by using the General Education Planner below to identify courses to add to your schedule to create a full schedule of 14 - 16 credit hours. The number of GenEd courses you need to add from the list below is major dependent. Based on the required courses above, some majors will only need to add one GenEd course from the list below while others may need to add three GenEd courses to create a full schedule. Notes:Cluster One - Writing: If you do not have AP,IB,CIE or dual enrollment credit for WRTC 103, we encourage you enroll your 1st-semester. If a WRTC 103 course is not available, you will enroll in the following semester. Cluster Three - Quantitative Reasoning: Math courses are restricted to students in majors that require a math class in the 1st-semester. If your major requires math in the 1st-semester, it will be indicated above in the purple Required area of this worksheet. If a math course is not identified in the purple Required section above, your advisor will discuss your math placement score and math recommendation for your major when you meet in the summer. Cluster Four - American Experience: This is an area where many students have earned credit through AP, IB, CIE or dual enrollment courses taken in high school. If you are waiting on test or grade results, we recommend you enroll in a GenEd course from a different cluster or cluster area until you receive your results. Cluster Five - Sociocultural Domain: If you are waiting on test or grade results for Psychology through AP, IB, CIE or dual enrollment courses taken in high school. If you are waiting on test or grade results, we recommend you enroll in a GenEd course from different cluster or cluster area until you receive your results. |
|
Modified GenEd Planner for 1st-Semester UseClick here for a list of GenEd course descriptions |
|
Cluster One - Skills for the 21st Century |
Cluster Four – Social and Cultural Processes |
Critical ThinkingSee the required section of this worksheet. Human CommunicationSee the required section of this worksheet. You will enroll in either a critical thinking OR human communications course for your 1st-semester. |
The American Experience 4 credit hoursIf you are waiting for AP, IB, CIE or dual enrollment credit for history or government, do not enroll until you have received your results. 4 credit hours.
The Global Experience 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available. Do NOT enroll in POSC 220 if you have credit for POSC 225 or are planning to take POSC 225.
|
Writing 3 credit hoursIf you are waiting for test or grade results for writing through AP, IB, CIE or dual enrollment, wait for your results.
|
|
Cluster Two – Arts and Humanities |
Cluster Five – Individuals in the Human Community |
Human Questions and Contexts 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available.
Visual and Performing Arts 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available.
|
Wellness Domain 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available.
Sociocultural Domain 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available.
|
Cluster Three – The Natural World |
|
Quantitative ReasoningIf a math course is required for your 1st-semester, it will be indicated above in purple required section. Otherwise, math is not required for your major the 1st-semester. You will enroll in a math class in a later semester based on your ALEKS score. Talk with your advisor about your ALEKS score during your Summer Springboard visit.
Physical Principles 3 credit hoursYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available.
|
Natural System 3 credit hours unless indicatedYou may enroll in one of these classes, if available. These courses are 3 credit hours each unless indicated otherwise.
|
Save and/or print this worksheet to use as a guide when you enroll in classes in June. |
|