<p>Hey fellow gophers,</p>
<p>Just took my math placement test, and scored into Math 1151 (Pre-calc II), but I really needed to place into Calculus I (Math 1271). I want to major in computer science, do you think I will be ok/can take comp sci classes first semester without calc I under my belt?</p>
<p>Are you in CSE or CLA?</p>
<p>Either way, [url=<a href=“Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering”>Department of Computer Science and Engineering | College of Science and Engineering]here[/url</a>] is a prerequisite chart. Calc I is a corequisite for CSci 1901. To quote the department:</p>
<p>“Students should have taken, or be taking, Calculus I. 1901 requires mathematical maturity, and students need to do be able to do abstract reasoning. Although students may not use, in 1901, much of the material covered in calculus, they will need solid reasoning skills and the willingness to use mathematics as a tool for analyzing and solving problems.”</p>
<p>The good news is that you do not necessarily need to take 1901 during your first semester in order to stay on track. You should talk to the advising staff for your college as well as the CSci department; they can give you the best advice.</p>
<p>Let me put it this way: the best scenario is to take Calc I. However, you are vastly better off starting in precalc and passing straight through the math sequence than trying to jump into calculus without sufficient preparation and failing. The placement test exists for a reason.</p>
<p>One more thing: if you are absolutely insistent on taking a computer science course first semester, you do have one option. CSci 1103 (Intro to Computer Programming in Java) has no prerequisites. This course is not normally taken by CS majors and is not equivalent to 1901. However, it would provide you with a little programming practice and some formal training in Java. You can find a sample syllabus [url=<a href=“http://www-users.cselabs.umn.edu/classes/Fall-2011/csci1103/index.php?page=syllabus]here[/url”>http://www-users.cselabs.umn.edu/classes/Fall-2011/csci1103/index.php?page=syllabus]here[/url</a>].</p>
<p>I would consider contacting the CSci department prior to registering for this course; they may have some reason to recommend against it.</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Hi noimagination, thanks for taking the time to help me out! I’m in CLA currently, hoping to transfer into CSE down the road (hopefully after freshman year). I emailed the computer science department in regards to my issue and am waiting to see what they say. I also have orientation in a month, so I’ll really need to sit down with my counselor and go over this. Any tips you can offer me as to what I should have my counselor do/sign me up for?</p>
<p>Unless you have good reason to believe that the placement test results are inaccurate (e.g. you were seriously ill while taking it), I would not try to place into Math 1271 or CSci 1901 even if it is possible to do so. The first semester of college is a big transition and you don’t need to be in over your head in your technical courses.</p>
<p>You might find the CSE [four-year</a> plan](<a href=“http://cse.umn.edu/prod/groups/cse/@pub/@cse/documents/content/cse_content_388848.pdf]four-year”>http://cse.umn.edu/prod/groups/cse/@pub/@cse/documents/content/cse_content_388848.pdf) interesting. Remember that this is just a guideline, not hard rules.</p>
<p>I would recommend trying to take some liberal education courses along with math and a science. Calc I is a corequisite for Phys 1301W, but you could take Chem 1061+1065 (General Chemistry I) which would help satisfy the CSE science requirement.</p>
<p>For CLA, I believe you are required to take a foreign language. Now might be a good time to work on that.</p>
<p>Your advisor can help. Hopefully the CSci department will have some advice for you next week.</p>
<p>Here is the link for transferring into CSE once you are already a U of MN student. It looks like they want to you have taken Calc I and Calc II for internal transfers. Remember that you don’t have to do the transfer after first year. Take a look at the dates and jot them down on your calendar. Good luck!</p>
<p>[Transfer</a> from within the University : College of Science & Engineering : University of Minnesota, Twin Cities](<a href=“http://cse.umn.edu/admissions/transferadm/CSE_CONTENT_374935.php]Transfer”>http://cse.umn.edu/admissions/transferadm/CSE_CONTENT_374935.php)</p>
<p>If you make the move from CLA to CSE, I do not think you need a foreign language. Physics II and Chemistry varies by major.</p>
