Department of Computer Science & Engineering

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Degree Programs
• 3. Application to Major
  • 3.1. CLA Students
  • 3.2. IT Students
  • 3.3. Changing Majors or Adding a Major
  • 3.4. Transferring Between CLA and IT
  • 3.5. Transfer Students
• 4. CSci Undergraduate D Policy
• 5. Upper Division Emphasis
• 6. Suggested 4 Year Plan
• 7. CS Requirements
• 8. Course Descriptions
• 9. Honors Program
• 10. Advising and APAS Reports
• 11. Closed Classes/First Day Policies
• 12. Academic Integrity
• 13. Disability Services
• 14. Academic Help and Survival Tips
• 15. Laboratory Policy
• 16. Student Opportunities
• 17. Graduation and Beyond
• 18. CSci Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions
• 19. Phone Numbers

3. Application to Major

3.1. CLA Students

CLA students interested in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Computer Science need to apply directly to the Computer Science & Engineering Department for admission as a CSci Major. To apply a student must fill out a CLA petition form and attach a current copy of their APAS report. Petition forms may be picked up in the college or department office.

Evaluation for admission is based on criteria in effect at the time the student is admitted to the University. For the current academic year, criteria for acceptance to the CSci major are as follows: a student should have completed the Calculus courses (Math 1271 and 1272, or Math 1371 and 1372), Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Math 2243 or Math 2373), and CSci 1901, 1902 and 2011. Each course must have been completed with a C- or better. The applicant must have a GPA in technical courses of 2.4 or better. Technical courses include the Computer Science, Math, and Statistics courses required for the Computer Science degree. Only classes taken at the University of Minnesota count towards the technical GPA. If the GPA in technical courses is below 2.4, the department reserves the right to deny admission to the major. Students are advised not to delay application to the major.

3.2. IT Students

IT students are usually accepted into the B.S. program upon admission to upper division. Students should apply for this during their second year of studies, or when they have completed 60 semester credits. Failure to apply in a timely manner will result in a registration hold. Application forms for admission to the Upper Division are available online or in the IT Student Affairs Office (105 Lind Hall) and must be turned in to that office (and not the Computer Science Department).

Acceptance into upper division with a Computer Science major is based on criteria in effect at the time the student is admitted to the University. For the current academic year, criteria for acceptance are as follows: A student should have completed the following courses - first year of Calculus courses (Math 1271 and 1272, or Math 1371 and 1372), Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Math 2243 or Math 2373), and CSci 1901, 1902 and 2011. Each course must have been completed with a C- or better, and the applicant must have a GPA in technical courses of 2.4 or better. Technical courses include the Computer Science, Math, Statistics and other technical courses required for science or engineering degrees. IT students can check their technical GPA on their APAS report. Only classes taken at the University of Minnesota count towards the technical GPA. If the GPA in technical courses is below 2.4, the department reserves the right to deny admission to the major.

3.3. Changing Majors or Adding a Major

Students wishing to switch to the CSci major or add the CSci major to their existing degree plan must petition the CSci Department directly, regardless of whether they are in CLA or IT. However, if this involves changing colleges, please contact the college you wish to switch to first. Applicants must meet the same criteria as met by students applying to CSci as a first major (see above; those admission criteria will be applied which are in effect at the time of their application). However, they will also be evaluated on the rest of their academic work.

3.4. Transferring Between CLA and IT

Students wishing to transfer from CLA to IT to obtain a B.S. degree, or from IT to CLA to receive a B.A. degree, must file a Change of College Form available in 105 Lind Hall or 200 Fraser Hall. Pay particular attention to the application deadlines. Additionally, students who have not already been admitted to the CSci major but who wish to change colleges must follow the same procedure for admission to the CSci major as students directly admitted to these colleges: Students transferring to CLA must petition the CSci department for admission to major status (submit a CLA petition form and APAS report to EE/CSci 4-196). Students transferring to IT are considered for Upper Division and major status by the IT Student Affairs office. Students must complete at least 30 semester credits after admission to IT to be granted a B.S.

3.5. Transfer Students

Students transferring to the University of Minnesota from another school and wishing to select Computer Science as their major should consult with their college advisor and a Computer Science advisor. Normally these students will meet the advisors during the orientation day organized by either IT or CLA.

Students transferring to upper division in IT are admitted to the CSci major at the same time if they meet criteria at least as rigorous as those that U of M students meet for admission to the CSci major.

Students transferring to CLA are admitted into CLA as Pre-Computer Science students. In order to select Computer Science as their major these students must submit a petition to the Computer Science Department; please note that admission to CLA does not imply admission to the CSci major. Transfer students who wish to major in Computer Science must meet criteria at least as rigorous as those that U of M students are required to meet:

• Transfer students admitted to CLA must have already completed, or must complete after admission to the U of Minnesota, the following courses before applying for the CSci major: the first year of Calculus (Math 1271 and 1272, or Math 1371 and 1372), Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (Math 2243 or Math 2373), and CSci 1901, 1902 and 2011.
• Students transferring to the University of Minnesota must complete at least two technical courses at the University of Minnesota before applying for admission to the Computer Science major. At least one of these courses must be a Computer Science course. These first technical courses taken at the University of Minnesota must either belong to the set of 6 courses referred to above or should require any of those 6 courses as prerequisites.
• Students must have a GPA of 2.4 or better in all technical courses taken at the University of Minnesota in order to be admissible to the CSci major. Technical courses consist of the Computer Science, Math, Physics, and Statistics courses required for the Computer Science degree.
• Courses taken at the University of Minnesota that are similar to courses already taken in other schools will not be considered in evaluation of the GPA.

Students should apply for entry to the CSci major by submitting a petition requesting major status. A copy of the student's APAS report should be attached to the petition.