Freshmen Connection "need help picking classes"

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

<p>I'm currently a senior in high school.</p>

<p>I'm admitted for spring 2014 with
Computer Science major @ College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences</p>

<p>My weighted GPA was 3.74
SAT: Reading 460 Math 740 Writing 470</p>

<hr>

<p>I will probably live in "The View" Because it seems like a lot of the kids in FC lives there too.
I have been looking at what classes to take recently because FC deadline is at the end of march. I'm hoping to finish course selection ASAP though. Right now I have a few questions.</p>

<p>1.I'm assuming I cant take classes that is computer science related until spring ?</p>

<p>2.What classes should I take, I'm really confused when I look at the list of courses they provided. There are too many to pick from and I don't want to take classes that is unnecessary to me, but also don't want to miss classes that I need to take. Can someone give me an advise?</p>

<p>3.On the FC math placement exam page it says "For certain majors—College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and A. James Clark School of Engineering—math course enrollment is based solely on MPE scoring and not earned SAT or Advanced Placement scores." Im currently in Calculus AB AP class, does that mean it doesnt matter if i take the AP test or not ?</p>

<p>4.For general credit(Natural Science with Lab) I only see chemistry and biology. Does that mean even if i pass my Physics AP test there is no use for it?</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>You are correct from what I can tell - it does not look like any CMSC are available for FC. However, there are a lot of classes that are available exclusively for FC students that fulfill GenEd requirements. Some of these are more interesting options than what will be available to you after you complete FC semester, so definitely take advantage.</p></li>
<li><p>Unless you took AP English exam and scored a 4 or 5, you need to take ENGL101. All FC students need to take UNIV100. Math is also a good basic which I will address in response #3. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I would primarily focus on the GenEd classes you need. Assuming you have seen this link that narrows course options down to just FC classes, but just in case:
<a href=“https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/all-courses-search.html?course=&section=&term=201308&level=ALL&time=12%3A00+PM&center=FC[/url]”>https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/all-courses-search.html?course=&section=&term=201308&level=ALL&time=12%3A00+PM&center=FC&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>In general, the best courses are things that are of interest to you personally, and also fulfill GenEd reqs. If you find some that kill two birds with one stone, even better. </p>

<p>An example of a great course that is only available to FC students and that kills two birds is
ENES210
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Analysis and Decision-Making in 21st Century Technology Ventures Credits: 3: DSSP, SCIS
The DSSP means it fulfills Distributive Studies Scholarship in Practice PLUS the SCIS fulfills the Signature Course I series.</p>

<p>Here is a link that filters out only GENED options for FC if on the filter drop down you select freshman connection and then push search
<a href=“https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/gen-ed-categories.html?term=201308[/url]”>https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/gen-ed-categories.html?term=201308&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<ol>
<li><p>The MPE is easy and the highest “placement” you can get is MATH140. However, if you place for that AND you have a 4 or 5 on Calc AP exam, you are golden because you get the credit for the class and get to skip over it. So, yes, AP exam is worth taking because you can potentially skip math FC semester and start Calc3 if you want in the spring.</p></li>
<li><p>Here is the chart to see what you get to “place out” of
[Transfer</a> Credit Center | Advanced Placement Exams (AP)-GenEd](<a href=“http://www.tce.umd.edu/apchartGENED.html]Transfer”>http://www.tce.umd.edu/apchartGENED.html)
PHYS121 and 122 fulfill Distributive Studies-Natural Science Lab requirement. Physics C exams fulfill major requirements in Biological Sciences, Engineering, or Physics; they also fulfill the Distributive Studies-Natural Science Lab requirement. A score of 4 or 5 on the
Physics C exams will be awarded four credits as chosen by the student and his/her advisor.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So, it does fulfill a GENEd req if you pass and get credit for it…the chem and bio are just whats available for FC semester.</p>

<p>The more AP’s you take and get credit for, the better since it gives you a higher priority for scheduling after the first semester - appointments to register are based on the number of credits you have, so the more you start out with, the better. All first semester students are on equal footing in this regard, but after that, it def is helpful so you have a better chance of getting a seat in the class section you want.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. They will have advisers at orientation, so you will have someone to give you more specifics when you go to pick your classes.</p>

3

<p>1.I’m assuming I cant take classes that is computer science related until spring ?</p>

<p>Probably not, but I’m not very familiar with this program.</p>

<p>2.What classes should I take, I’m really confused when I look at the list of courses they provided. There are too many to pick from and I don’t want to take classes that is unnecessary to me, but also don’t want to miss classes that I need to take. Can someone give me an advise?</p>

<p>Figure out what general education requirements you need, then find the classes you’re interested in and fulfill those classes as well.</p>

<p>3.On the FC math placement exam page it says “For certain majors—College of Computer, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and A. James Clark School of Engineering—math course enrollment is based solely on MPE scoring and not earned SAT or Advanced Placement scores.” Im currently in Calculus AB AP class, does that mean it doesnt matter if i take the AP test or not ?</p>

<p>No. Definitely take the AP Test, since you can get credit for MATH140 which is required for computer science majors. You will get credit for it if you pass, and can take MATH141 next</p>

<p>4.For general credit(Natural Science with Lab) I only see chemistry and biology. Does that mean even if i pass my Physics AP test there is no use for it?</p>

<p>If you pass physics, you will get credit and you won’t need to fulfill that particular general education requirement anymore</p>