2012 - 2013
Index
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18. CSci Undergraduate Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are a number of different types of questions in this FAQ: questions related to degree requirements, jobs, courses and credit, computing, and special opportunities. 18.1. Degree RequirementsWhat is the difference between a CSE and CLA CS&E degree?
Is my Upper Division Track OK?The CSE Upper Division Track you choose must be approved by a CS&E Advisor. See the Upper Division Track portion of this guide for additional information. If you are thinking about a track but have doubts about our approving it, consult with a CS&E Advisor in 4-196B before starting to take track courses. The advisor can help you to make appropriate choices for a track that can be approved while conforming to your area of interest. Is my advanced math elective OK?The advanced math elective you choose must be approved by a CS&E Advisor. See the advanced math elective portion of this guide for more information. Why aren't my Upper Division Emphasis classes or advanced math elective showing up on my APAS?If you haven't filled out an upper division track form (available from a CS&E advisor in Keller 4-196), please do so. Classes must be listed on the form before they show up on the APAS as upper division electives or the advanced math elective. Can I graduate with {insert odd situation here}?You can fill out a petition and give it to the college office. Present a persuasive argument. They will pass it on to a CS&E Advisor. A current copy of your APAS report must always accompany petitions. How can I graduate with honors?See the honors section of this guide. What do I need to do to graduate?See the Graduation Procedures section of this guide. What courses fulfill the CLA senior project semester requirement?The current list is CSci 3081W, CSci 5107, CSci 5115, CSci 5512, CSci 5801, CSci 5802. This list will be updated periodically. What courses fulfill the "advanced math class" semester requirement for CSE students?To fulfill this requirement a course must: (a) be an 4xxx/5xxx 3-4 credit class; (b) have math or logic as its primary focus (it is insufficient for the class to merely involve math or logic. It must have math or logic as its main theme); (c) not also be used as part of your Upper Division Track; (d) be sufficiently advanced. However, students are strongly encouraged to discuss the math elective with a CS&E advisor since there are a number of possibilities, and not all 4xxx and 5xxx math courses fulfill the math elective requirement. Students should not take multivariable calculus or the sequences, sets and foundations as the math elective since these classes no longer fulfill that requirement. Students who took either of these classes in the past should see a CS&E advisor to check if they took the course when it was still accepted. What courses fulfill the writing-intensive requirements?CSci courses that are "writing intensive" are CSci 3921W, CSci 3081W and CSci 4511W. 18.2. JobsHelp, I need a part-time/temporary job - now.Go visit the CSE Career Center in 105 Lind Hall. Although most of their positions are full-time, they also have part-time positions listed. Check the on-line Career Center and the classified ads from local Sunday newspapers (either the Minneapolis Star Tribune or the St. Paul Pioneer Press). Visit the Student Employment Office, 170 Donhowe Building, for on-campus job postings http://employment.umn.edu/ Most of our students are working part time, many at CS jobs. Be aware that most of the students who end up on probation work too many hours for the class load taken (including extra-curricular activities and a social life). Interested in being a Teaching Assistant? The CS&E Department uses undergraduate lab attendants and graders for 1103, 1113 and 1901. Help, I need a real job - soon.Use the CSE Career Center. They can help you get prepared for interviews. Remember to learn about the company you interview with. It will impress the interviewers. If you have a favorite professor, who you are pretty sure thinks well of you, ask him/her for leads. Check the bulletin board outside the CS&E main office. Help, I'll need a job - someday.Participate in class. Get to know professors. Then you can ask them to write letters of recommendation and they can give a truthful evaluation of your work. Use the resume service at CSE Career Center to publicize your resume to companies. Check out newspaper employment sections. Attend the job fair during CSE week and various "Company Recruiting Days" held on campus. Do a co-op or internship during your junior year. Find out about it in the CSE Career Center or see a CS&E Advisor. You can expect to have about 7 jobs in your lifetime, so get a general education. Don't focus on your guess as to the first job. Yes, become immediately marketable, but also explore and learn how to learn. Check out career web sites listed in the Career Services section of this guide. What are CS jobs like?Go to the CSE Career Center to get information on what entry-level jobs are available. Read industry publications which have articles about the workplace and classified ads for jobs. Some of these publications are available in Wilson or Walter Libraries. Check the bulletin board outside the CS&E main office. 18.3. Courses and CreditI transferred here having taken some CS courses elsewhere. What should I take here?Where you fit in the curriculum gets resolved during the transfer orientation day that both CSE and CLA have. If things were not resolved, please visit a CS&E Advisor. CSE maintains course equivalencies for numerous colleges and can usually resolve most course evaluations. Where there are questions, you will be asked to file a petition and provide catalogs, syllabi, etc., so that a CS&E Advisor can perform the evaluation. How do I take independent study?Talk beforehand to the professor you want to study with. This is voluntary work on the faculty's part, and you can't demand that the professor participate. You and the professor will agree on the course number and number of credits. Complete the online Independent Study Form. Once you have submitted the form, your professor will receive an email requesting his/her approval. Once approved, you will receive a magic number for course registration via email. (Independent study sections are always offered, but always closed, so individual overrides are needed.) Normally, independent study involves advanced, continued work (with the same professor) from the material covered in a class. Professors will say "no" if you ask to study material already available in a course we offer (which may be taught at an inconvenient time). You and the professor decide what you will do and how you will be graded. What if I plan to take a course elsewhere and want to know if it will count?First check the online transfer guide at the CSE prospective students web site. If the course is not listed there ask a CS&E Advisor in 4-196B. Bring along the course description and designation. Can I drop a class after the eighth week?In general, no. But it may be allowed under special circumstances. See your college advising office (105 Lind Hall for CSE students; 114 Johnston Hall for CLA students). CSci xxxx is closed. What can I do to get in?Put your name on the on-line waiting list, attend the first day of class and sign your name on the attendance sheet. The department policy, which is followed by the instructors, is to take names (in prioritized order - order is determined by your major and your year in school rather than on a first come first serve basis) off the waiting list when seats free up. Can I receive credit for my internship or Co-op?You receive free-elective credit for your Co-op work (2 cr per Co-op term, maximum of 2 terms). This credit does not satisfy any CSci or liberal education requirements. In general there is no credit for internship work. If internship work is related to a computer science course and you can find a faculty member to oversee an independent study course then it may be possible to get credit for it. Requirements, number of credits and grading criteria should be determined with the faculty member beforehand. See the independent study question above for more information. Can I take a class if I haven't satisfied all the prerequisites?In general, you should always follow the prerequisites. However, in certain circumstances (e.g., you took a similar prerequisite course at another university, or you have extensive work experience equivalent to a prerequisite course) you may be able to take a course without taking the prerequisites. If you do this, you must ensure you are sufficiently prepared: look though a copy of the textbook, examine the course description and the course syllabus, and talk with the professor to ensure you have a sufficient background. 18.4. ComputingI want to buy a computer for home. What kind should I get?Visit the bookstore, and/or ask other students about what types of computers they use. The bookstore offers discounts for students and faculty. The OIT student site also has information about purchasing technology products. Make sure whatever computer you buy can connect easily to the University network. That way you can do much of your work on your own machine; however, some CS classes require software that is available on CSE lab machines, but which is not readily available for home machines. I need to learn about Unix (or Word or FoxPro, etc.). Are there any courses available at the U?The Computer Science and Engineering Department does not offer courses in computer applications. Non-credit courses on computer applications are offered through the University Office of Information Technology's University Technology Training Center. The ACM student chapter usually offers an Introduction to Unix tutorial at the beginning of each semester. For more information call 626-1535. 18.5. Special OpportunitiesWhere can I get information about graduate school?See the Graduate School Information section for more information, or talk to the Graduate Secretary in the CS&E department. Talk to a CS&E advisor or another faculty member about various graduate programs and emphases. Look for WWW sites (some links are listed in the Graduate School Information section of this guide). Most good schools (including ours) have lots of information on faculty, courses, projects, etc. on-line. Look through Peterson's Guide. What can I do to strengthen my graduate school application?
I've heard that there is a Computer Engineering program at the U. Where can I get more information?Information about the Computer Engineering degree is online on the ECE Advising Site. I'd like to get involved in research. How do I learn about undergraduate research possibilities?There are many different CS-related undergraduate research opportunities, so there is no single way to learn about them. Here are some suggestions to try: Ask other students you know whether they're involved in any research opportunities and if so, how they learned about them. Word of mouth is often how people learn about undergraduate research opportunities. If you have a class you really like or are doing really well in, ask the professor if they have any research opportunities or know of any. Check professors' web pages. If someone is doing work you are really interested in, stop by their office hours or send them an email and see if they have any research opportunities available. If you have a high GPA (> 3.5) check with the department honors faculty advisor about joining the upper division honors program. One possibility in that program is doing an honors thesis, which involves research. |