College of Liberal Arts: Computer Science - I'm so confused, help!

<p>Hi, so I just got admitted to University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts (as undecided), but got deferred to their College of Engineering. I looked at this site: </p>

<p>Departments</a> & Majors : College of Liberal Arts : University of Minnesota</p>

<p>It shows that, under the College of Liberal Arts, one can take Computer Sciences. So, how does this work? It's available in BOTH the College of Lib. Arts and College of Eng.? Will I be able to take Computer Science courses/major in it, even though I'm not in the College of Eng.?</p>

<p>Can someone please point me in the right direction on this, I'm really confused. Thanks.</p>

<p>Wait, deferred TO the CSE? I think you mean deferred FROM.</p>

<p>Honestly, this is the kind of thing you call and ask about, you’ll get the most detailed explanation and you’ll know it’s true.</p>

<p>As far as I know I think you can major in it in both, since you can major in biology even if you’re not in the college of biological sciences (I think), but I’m not sure how/why that works.</p>

<p>Yes, the computer science majors are available in both the College of Science/Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts. The B.A. does not require as much as the B.S., but it also gives you a lot more flexibility. Here are the major differences: [CS&E:</a> Undergraduate Guide](<a href=“Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering”>Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering) .</p>

<p>When you didn’t get into CSE did they automatically send your application to CLA? </p>

<p>Here is a link to the Computer Science Department’s Website:</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering”&gt;Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering]Undergraduate[/url</a>]</p>

<p>“Students interested in studying computer science at the University of Minnesota should apply to either the College of Science and Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree or the College of Liberal Arts for the Bachelor of Arts degree.”</p>

<p>“Wait, deferred TO the CSE? I think you mean deferred FROM.”
@Flashsizzlebam: Yes that’s what I meant, sorry.</p>

<p>"When you didn’t get into CSE did they automatically send your application to CLA? "
@jeremmed77: That’s exactly what happened. When I applied, I put CSE as my first choice, and CLA as my “backup” choice.</p>

<p>Will it be a lot harder to get a job with a B.A. in Computer Science, versus a B.S. in Computer Science?</p>

<p>[Let</a> me google that for you](<a href=“LMGTFY - Let Me Google That For You”>LMGTFY - Let Me Google That For You)</p>

<p>Anyways you can transfer to the CSE if you do well the first two years and meet their transfer requirements</p>

<p>Cla will allow you with flexible to take other classes besides CS courses. I don’t think it would matter. A CLA CS degree still looks hard. That’s just me though haha </p>

<p>Sent from my LG-P509 using CC App</p>

<p>As Flashsizzlebam’s google results will show, most professionals agree it makes little to no difference in obtaining a job. As long as you take appropriate courses in your major you should be fine.</p>

<p>I agree that it won’t make a huge difference although there may be some special opportunities that are only for CSE students. Two other things spring to mind about being in CLA. I believe you will have to meet the four semester foreign language requirement if you do the B.A… This will probably be slightly inconvenient but not a huge deal particularly if you already have some language proficiency or are interested in foreign languages. You will also probably not be able to take the CSE Calculus courses. This again isn’t a huge deal although I think the CSE courses emphasize more technology and most of the computer science majors will be in them.</p>

<p>Yes CLA students can take computer science courses.
I know for I am one.
Actually, someone from CFANS, CBS, etc can take computer science courses.
All courses (except for maybe business) are open to every student to take. You can even take violin or tennis if you want.</p>

<p>The colleges are simply imaginary faculties that group students by disciplines. You are not restricted to taking any courses.</p>

<p>Also, if you are accepted to CLA, and you decide you want a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (CSE) rather than a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (CLA) you can transfer to CSE after you begin.</p>

<p>The prerequisites to transfer to CSE for a Computer Science major are:
-Calc 1 and 2
-1 semester college Physics
-Structures of Programming 1 and 2
-Discrete Structures</p>

<p>^The website says something different but Computer Scence majors are an exception and this is all we need to transfer. </p>

<p>Hope that helps answer your question, and I can answer any others if you want too
Since this is basically my situation, just 1 year foward maybe.</p>

<p>It’s all imaginary anyway…just your grouping on documents and which advisors you’ll get. The courses can be taken by either one. There are tons of CLA students in computer science courses.</p>

<p>Frankly, you could stay in CLA for 3 years, but take all the courses required for the Bachelor of Science degree, and then file the form to switch faculties at the last year if you’re lazy. It’s all just what’s on paper.
Of course, this means you must maintain good grades to be accepted to make that official switch.</p>

<p>Oh and the physics course I mentioned, I should probably clarify is called Physics I (for Scientists and Engineers)</p>

<p>The courses numbers are, respectively as I listed above:
-1271,1272
-1301W
-1901,1902
-2011</p>

<p>It is possibly to complete in one year, especially if you had AP Calculus, and apply for transfer while you are still in progress with the rest.
The thing is about maintaining a high enough GPA to be able to transfer.</p>

<p>You can apply to transfer every semester as many times as you want as long as you have the prerequisites, if you are able to improve in between.</p>

<p>Although it is largely true that students from any school take can take any class there are a couple more exceptions than just business. Notably Math 1371, 1372, 2373, and 2374 the CSE calculus, linear algebra, and multivariable calculus classes are pretty much reserved for CSE students [Registration</a> Policy - math.umn.edu](<a href=“School of Mathematics | College of Science and Engineering”>School of Mathematics | College of Science and Engineering).</p>

<p>^ Yep, this is true, thanks for pointing it out. I’d forgot</p>

<p>For the Bachelor of Science, either the regular Calc (1271, 1272) or CSE Calc (1371,1372) will count just the same though and you only need to take one. They are both Calc anyway, I just imagine the CSE would emphasize applications like calc problems that involve physics, mixing problems, and more real life type problems involving science.
I think it’s allowed to be like this so others students can be flexible if they are still undecided about their major.</p>