Freshman computer science course advice

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>I'm an entering SEAS freshman looking to major in CS. I've figured out the basics of my schedule next semester in that I'll take Calc 2, Physics, Chem, and UW. I'm stuck about what to do about the fifth course.</p>

<p>I'm hoping to get into a relatively higher-level (i.e., non-freshman) CS course. I got a 5 on AP CS so I can be exempt from 1005, but I also got a 7 on IB CS Higher Level and an A- in a Data Structures course I took at Cornell's summer college last year, so I feel like I can skip 1007 as well. I emailed the CS department, and they said it was doable as long as I substitute a 3000/4000 course later on for credit and the prof okays it.</p>

<p>So here's where I'm stuck. What course should I take? It seems that Advanced Programming 3157 comes after 1007, but so does Data Structures and Algorithms 3137. These are both recommended for semester 4. The CS department also recommends I take Discrete Math 3203 concurrently with either 1007 or 3157. </p>

<p>I'm thinking of taking discrete math, since that is recommended along with 1007, which I hope to skip. Would you guys recommend this? Would this be too much with my schedule the way it is so far? The prof-level course I want to take isn't offered until second semester, but I can settle with another one if discrete math will be too hard. Or should I just take econ or something? </p>

<p>Thanks for any advice!</p>

2

<p>hey, I’m looking to major in CS too. my high school didn’t have any cs courses, but I want to skip 1005. wonder if that’s possible?</p>

<p>I was thinking about taking Honours Math (I hear it’s more fun than Calc III, which I would otherwise be taking)</p>

<p>which phys and chem courses are you taking?</p>

3

<p>I would email the department about your situation. That’s how I know what I want to do is even possible. Cannon is the one to contact about undergraduate advising, I believe. ([Adam</a> Cannon’s Homepage](<a href=“http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~cannon/homepage/Adam_Heath_Cannon.html]Adam”>Adam Cannon's Homepage))</p>

<p>I’m taking Physics 1401 and maybe Chem 1604 since I kinda enjoyed chemistry in high school, but I just may go the easy route with Chem 1401… I don’t think we have to take the follow up 1402 since CS majors only need one chem course. We can go straight to the lab next semester, I believe.</p>

4

<p>that’s sounds good. taking the easiest courses works for me lol (as long as it doesn’t screw me over in the long run). I liked both phys and chem, but not so much labs. oh well.</p>

<p>thanks for the email reference. I’ve talked to Cannon before, but not about this hmm.</p>

5

<p>Bump…</p>

<p>Anybody know anything about discrete math/advice for a freshman CS major?</p>