Changes in Computer Science Courses and Requirements

 

After several years of stable course offerings and requirements, a number of changes will be made in the coming year.  Some reflect changes in requirements, some reflect changes in enrollment patterns.

 

The changes will not effect May and August graduates.  However students planning to graduate in the 2004-2005 academic year should very carefully plan their long range class schedule to make sure they can graduate at the expected time.  IF ANY OF THESE CHANGES CAUSE AN HARDSHIP, PLEASE SEE YOUR ADVISOR.

 

Math requirements:

Math will teach Math 230 and 340 for the last time this spring.  Consequently we are changing the degree requirements.  B.S. students with existing academic program contracts:  If you have taken either 230 or 340 but not both, we strongly recommend that you take the other course this spring.  When necessary we will change your academic contract to make adjustments.

 

B.A. in Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Engineering

Students will no longer be able to take and count Math 340 towards their degree after the course is discontinued.

Beginning next year, students will take Math 341 (4 hours) instead of 230 and 340 (2 hours each).  Students with existing contracts can make this substitution with the approval of their advisor.

New academic contracts will ask students to take both 341 and either 331 or 356.  The options to take 230 and 340 will be eliminated when those courses are no longer offered.  Students with existing academic contracts will be able to take 341 instead of 230 and 340 with the approval of their advisor.

 

Note:  With these changes B.S. in computer science students taking 341 can get a minor in Math if they take Math 331 or 356.  B.S. in computer engineering students will automatically qualify for a minor in Math.

 

Course numbering change:

CSCE 420, Software Engineering, will be renumbered 320 and the Math 245 prerequisite will be dropped.  CSCE 320 will be taught every spring.  This change is made in response to recommendations of past students.  Please see the next two items for the importance of this change.

 

Capstone prerequisites:

To make sure that students are ready for the capstone we are establishing the prerequisites for students who do not have an existing academic program contract.  Students with existing contracts are encouraged to try to meet the new requirements.

B.A. in Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Science

B.S. in Computer Engineering

CSCE 270

CSCE 320

CSCE 346

 

B.S. in Computer Science Requirements:

In addition to the changes in math requirements, there will be some other changes in the degree requirements.  These changes are being made to help us meet the new national recommendations for computer science degrees.

Students with existing contracts can elect to satisfy both of these new requirements instead of the current ones.  Again if this causes undue hardships, please see your advisor.

 

CSCE 400:

Under new academic program contracts, students in any of our majors will be able to count CSCE 400 only once towards their degree.

 

CSCE 380, 372, and CSCE 446:  Because changing enrollment patterns, CSCE 380, Assembly Language and Computer Organization, will be taught in the spring of 2005 but not in the fall of 2004.  CSCE 372, Algorithms, Machines, and Grammars, will become an alternate year course and will not be taught in the spring of 2005.  Instead of CSCE 446, VLSI Design, (2 hours), we may teach a 410, Topics in Computer Engineering, 2-hour  course in the spring of 2005.  If you were planning to take 380 in the fall you will need to take it this spring or in spring 2005.   If you were planning to take 372 or 446 a year from now, you are encouraged to take them this spring or wait until spring 2006.  Many students planning to take 372 in the spring of 2005 will want to take 320 instead.