CS adviser?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
1

My son is a freshman at UMD majoring in computer science. He finally met with his “adviser” this week to review his options for his spring semester schedule. He tells me this meeting was 10 students in a room with one adviser. His schedule was then rubber stamped and approved. He also tells me that his adviser rotates through the students, and that he may not meet with this same person in the future.

What bothers me is the apparent lack of personal attention. When he had questions a few weeks ago regarding his current classes and his selection for spring classes, he was told there was nobody to speak with directly but he should email his concerns to the department. The response to that email was just to keep his scheduled appointment in 2 weeks.

I recognize that they have over 2000 students to advise, but I also feel that this current system is not really adequate and does not allow for any personal attention.

Can any students comment on this situation with their own experience?

2

While I’m not a student, my son is currently a senior in engineering. Obviously, engineering is separate from CMNS, but I can speculate that the group advising just may be a freshman issue since foundation courses are pretty standard for all freshmen in the major. As they advance in their major, they do get the one-on-one advising. I know my son has had the same faculty adviser for quite some time now but I seem to recall him having a student adviser when he was a freshman…not sure if it was a group session or one on one though.

If you look at the 4 year plan https://cmns.umd.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/docs/4yr-plans/CMSC.pdf, scroll to second page to see break down suggested by semester. There are only 2 required classes specific to comp sci the second semester, and both are 4 credits. As a balance, they suggest 2 gen eds at 3 credits each. There absolutely is freedom to take different gen eds than the ones suggested, or, if he is further along in math, to take next level then one slated for that semester.

If it helps to know, engineering has far less wiggle room/more specifically required classes per semester, and my son definitely switched the order of some classes around. Obviously, that can’t be done for classes with pre-reqs and he was advised (by the student as a matter of fact) not to do one of the switches he was planning on specifically because it was a pre-req for a class he would need for the following semester (in order to stay on track). So, that’s something to watch for.

What is your son’s concern?

3

Thanks for your reply @maryversity .

My son made some bad study decisions and wound up dropping Calc II this semester. Unfortunately for him, since he placed ahead in his CS classes, he now lacks the math prerequisite for the next CS courses. Looks like spring semester will be Calc II again along with some gen ed and a science class with a lab. Those are required in his 4 year plan, but it’s disappointing that a CS major will not be able to take any CS classes his freshman spring semester.

I recognize this was his doing, but I’m disappointed that he does not have an adviser or some sort of faculty mentor to talk to.

4

@mnm111 Has your son considered taking Calc II at a community college or even online over the winter break? My daughter was short a class after transferring colleges. She took a psych class online at a local community college and got it done over winter break. It was cheaper and she found easier than taking at UDel (where she goes) and the class transferred over.

5

@zipbags Good thought. We can’t find a local community college that offers calc II for the winter break (January). He is willing to take it and feels he would do well in a rapid course with no other classes. I can’t even find an online class during the break. Plus he would need to make sure the credits would be transferred to UMD.

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@mnm111 I would definitely look for an online class from a community college or any other accredited college. Like I said my daughter took an online psych class and it was a lot easier for her. Most schools can let you know if the classes transfer before you start.

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This link may help

https://ntst.umd.edu/tce/

8

While the idea of taking Calc II over winter is sound advice, I’m not so sure I would take it at another school, even if credits do transfer. Any other subject, or if he was in a different major, no problem. But math is critical to comp sci, and, IMHO, I think he would be better off in the long run if he took the class at Maryland. I could be wrong, but I think it will help him to learn how to handle the rigor of classes at Maryland, especially foundation courses that are integral to his major. This is only the first semester, and no question that it’s an adjustment period all around in many ways. Calc II is a really tough class, no question. So, he learned a valuable lesson about study decisions that he will hopefully not repeat. Sometimes you have to fall and scrape your knee in order to learn how to balance on your bike correctly.

Is he aware of ourumd.com to check out comments on professors? Some are better than others…obviously, take everything with a grain of salt because comments are typically written by highly motivated students (sometimes highly motivated by the opportunity to get revenge against a prof with a bad review!). However, most reviews are helpful and give you a sense of workload, quirks, things to look out for. Not all profs have reviews, but if they do, it does help you decide which section to sign up for.

While you expressed frustration of a CS major not being able to take a CS class his second semester, which I can appreciate, he is fortunate that he did start ahead of the game in classes (assuming he placed out of 131). This means that even though he can’t take a CS class next semester, he has NOT lost any time in his overall 4 year plan for graduation! It’s not putting him behind, so honestly, no sweat.

Instead, look at it as an opportunity to take other university requirements to get them out of the way sooner. As he gets further along in his major, it will be harder to schedule the gen eds that are of interest to him because the classes for his major will only be offered at certain times. So, it’s not really so bad taking all gen eds with just the math as the challenging class (NOT implying gen eds are not challenging as well, especially if there is a lot of writing involved, but just that there is just a little more freedom of choice for gen eds - choose your own poison, so to speak).

Hope this helps. I know, it’s not ideal, but it is only a bump. He will be fine. If you want to look into the adviser issue, it can’t hurt to call to ask. I really think individual advisers are assigned once students are just a little further along, but I couldn’t say whether that’s next semester or next year.

9

Son is currently a freshman in computer engineering at UMD. We went to “Marquee” day last year and I attended the sciences presentations while son and mother attended engineering presentations. I was stunned when one person representing computer science boasted about 1800 people in the computer science major. And then another representative boasted about there being 6 advisers for computer science. I raised my hand and said, “wow, 300 students for each adviser. I guess you’re really on your own.” So I was very happy when my son decided on computer engineering instead of computer science. He recently met individually with his computer engineering adviser and they talked for 30 minutes about hopes and dreams and mapped out a 4 year plan. Sorry to hear that your son’s experience was completely opposite. Like Mary said, maybe just take it as an opportunity to try to get some of the gen eds out of the way.