CS Transfer Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Davis
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<p>I am currently a CC student who applied to UC Davis for Fall 2014 (My TAG was approved). I have a 3.72, and will have 145.5 units completed by Spring 2014. I will also have my IGETC and the articulated major courses on assist.org completed before I transfer. The courses I will have taken will complete all the lower division requirements for the CS major and I think IGETC takes care of the general education requirements. I will have to take a total of 48 upper division computer science classes once I transfer.</p>

<p>I have a lot of questions to ask because I have not been programming very long (6-7 months) and I only switched my major to computer science 6-7 months ago (have switched majors a lot while in CC).</p>

<p>The programming courses I have taken are: C, C++, Data Structures, Assembly Language, Intro CS Classes (using Python and Java).</p>

<p>What additional work should I do to prepare for the Computer Science program at UC Davis?
I know the UC Davis website says “Learn C++ and the Unix programming environment really well”, but I am not sure where to start. I took a class for C++, but how much knowledge do I need of C++ to be prepared? Do I have to know and be familiar with all the features in C++11? Also, where should I start for learning the Unix programming environment? What books should I read?</p>

<p>How tough are the upper division Computer Science courses? Is it tough to get courses (CS courses) you need? How many upper division computer science courses should I take per quarter (Since, I only have to take CS courses once I transfer)?</p>

<p>And for those who have transferred from CC to UC for computer science, how big of a difference (if any) is the difficulty with classes?</p>

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<p>You’ll need ECS 20 (discrete math for CS) or the equivalent to finish off your lower div requirements as far as just CS classes goes. Besides that, there’s statistics (STA 32 here), calculus and linear algebra. Depending on whether you’re CS or CSE, you also either pick a science sequence from physics (requires an extra quarter of calculus), chem, and biochem for CS; for CSE, you’ll have to do physics and the first quarter of chem. I’m guessing you’ll have completed at least a couple of those by the time you transfer, but there you are.</p>

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<p>I haven’t gone to upper division quite yet (sophomore currently), but from what upperclassmen have told me you just need a solid understanding of what you’ve learned in a C++ class. Some aspects they’re specifically mentioned to me to make sure you fully understand: Recursion, polymorphism, and inheritance. There may be a couple others that I’m not thinking of, and if I do think of them I’ll mention them.</p>

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<p>Well, the way we were taught in ECS 30 (the intro to programming class) was by going through another professor’s tutorial. From there I pretty much learned by playing around with it or did a quick google search to find a command I needed, so I honestly don’t have recommendations as far as books go. Here’s the professor’s Unix tutorials page, in case it’s helpful: [<title>Norm Matloff’s Unix and Linux Tutorial Center: C language, vi editor, C shell, debugging](<a href=“http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/~matloff/unix.html”>http://heather.cs.ucdavis.edu/~matloff/unix.html&lt;/a&gt;)</p>

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<p>Depends on the class. I’ve never had trouble getting classes, even though I’ve had to waitlist the past three quarters (this is all lower division, mind you). The staff adviser, Lori, is really good about getting more seats for classes that need them, so there’s generally not an issue unless the registrar can’t/won’t give a certain class a bigger room. On that note, don’t hesitate to talk to her if you’re concerned about getting into a class; she’s extremely helpful and will get you into whatever class you need if at all possible.</p>

<p>Most people take 2-3 CS classes per quarter once they get to upper div. Talk to other majors to figure out what schedules are manageable. For instance, the CS club has a Facebook page and people are very active there if you have any questions.</p>

<p>Also, remember that you have to take an upper division math class. Just wanted to mention that because I’ve met a few transfers that didn’t realize at least one is required.</p>
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