<p>I'm making a list of schools to consider attending. I plan on majoring in computer science (computer engineering is also a possibility). I want to go to a school with a strong program in CS, I'd also like the school to have good programs in other popular majors in case I get flaky and want to change majors. While making my list I've been looking at ranking lists for different categories ranging from "best national university" to "best regional university (or college)" to "best value schools". I've also been looking at lists of schools known for their CS program, but I can only find a couple lists that focus on the best schools for CS undergrads. For instance the only list focusing on CS programs from US News is for grad schools. Now my question is, can I use a grad school ranking list to base my school choices for an undergrad school?</p>
<p>I would say no, for the following reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li>Usually the same courses are not available to graduate and undergraduate students.</li>
<li>While you are theoretically working from the same pool of professors, in reality what happens at a university with graduate students is that TAs teach many of the classes. So you aren’t going to get too much benefit from those professors (except that you might have a good crop of TAs, but that is not the same).</li>
</ul>
<p>Instead, I would get a copy of the Rugg’s Recommendations on Colleges book, and cross reference with best programs in the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Your high school guidance counselor or local library should have both. Look for best CS programs and make a list from there.</p>
<p>Next, go out to the websites for the colleges and review the CS major information. Look in the course catalog for courses offered as well.</p>
<p>Finally, when you have narrowed your list down, email each school and ask for a contact in the CS department (a prof and a current major would be great). Email questions about the major to both and see where the best fit is.</p>
<p>More work… but likely to produce a higher quality result for you, too.</p>
<p><usually the=“” same=“” courses=“” are=“” not=“” available=“” to=“” graduate=“” and=“” undergraduate=“” students.=“”></usually></p>
<p>Typically most advanced courses are open to undergrad students by approval. See undergrad guidebook below </p>
<ul>
<li>While you are theoretically working from the same pool of professors, in reality what happens at a university with graduate students is that TAs teach many of the classes.</li>
</ul>
<p>TAs teach FEW CS classes. Typically an intro class in programming. They will provide discussion sections as an addition to the lectures by the prof. See course listings link below. </p>
<p>[Current</a> Classes | UW-Madison Computer Sciences](<a href=“http://www.cs.wisc.edu/academic-programs/courses/current-classes]Current”>http://www.cs.wisc.edu/academic-programs/courses/current-classes)</p>
<p>So you aren’t going to get too much benefit from those professors (except that you might have a good crop of TAs, but that is not the same).</p>
<p>False–see above/below</p>
<p>[Undergraduate</a> Guidebook - UW-Madison CS Dept](<a href=“http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~pubs/ugrad-guidebook/ugrad-guide.html]Undergraduate”>http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~pubs/ugrad-guidebook/ugrad-guide.html)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>The usual research university model is that faculty members teach the main class, which may be very large at the freshman and sophomore level, with the class breaking up into smaller discussion and lab sections with TAs.</p>
<p>At the junior and senior level, the classes are usually smaller (but if the major is very popular at the school, some of the most common courses may still be fairly large). They may still follow the faculty member + TA model, but that can actually be an advantage if the class is small (i.e. two instructors can help students understand the material from different viewpoints).</p>
<p>The schools with good graduate CS departments typically have good sets of undergrad CS courses for preparing students for graduate school in CS – but undergraduate-only schools can also have good CS course offerings. However, each school will have faculty with varying interests which affect course offerings and research opportunities.</p>