Accelerated CCIS course

My son received an email from the CCIS department asking if he was interested in an accelerated CCIS course (faster pace and less students). He is not in honors. Just wondering if any CCIS students have any experience in this type of class and if this is only offered freshman first semester. Thank you.

The accelerated “fundies” class has a mixed history. There used to be an honors version of the class (with harder stuff included longer exams). They nixed that and recently started this accelerated one. Fundies is not an easy class - lots of work and you have to keep it up can’t miss a homework or class - even the regular one. In some ways it is a weed out class - students who think they want to be computer majors find out they don’t like it or don’t have the skills for it.

They are constantly tweaking it - when my daughter took it it was one homework a week with a partner - last year it was 2 homeworks a week. Also, the class assignments vary based upon who the “lead” teacher is that semester. If he is planning on being a computer major, feels his adjustment to college will be easy (good time management skills, solid study habits, and a reasonable first semester workload) then he can try it. If not, don’t push him and have him do the standard class.

I’m a TA for the course, for context.

I would only recommend it if your son has lots of prior CS experience and is very confident in his abilities and work ethic. As mentioned, this used to be “honors”, but basically, there were honors students who were not ready for it due to technical experience, and “regular” students who should have been in the honors section. Out of that, the accelerated section was born.

I believe this is currently only offered the first semester, though I could see it becoming an option for Fundies 2 in the future - likely not before your son takes it though, so for your purposes, I would consider this the only class. Its benefit is challenging students who already have lots of experience. You won’t get a leg up over anyone in future courses by taking it.

Does the accelerated course fulfill the honors requirement if the student is in the honors program and takes it?

Nope, course must be designated as honors and this one is just accelerated. Honors courses are clearly marked in the course catalogue and say registration is restricted to those in the honors program. Don’t sweat over the honors requirement - it is a requirement to get the word honors on your diploma not to stay in the honors program (honors program is changing so I don’t know if this will change).

My daughter graduated in 2016 with a 4.0 GPA, was in the honors program but didn’t get an honors degree (didn’t take an advanced honors interdisciplinary class because she had other classes she preferred taking and had a double major and minor to fulfill).