Transfer to CNS Math from CS

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

Hello,

I’ve been admitted to UT Austin Computer Science for fall 2015. After some thought, I’ve decided to change my major to mathematics. Does anyone know how difficult it is to transfer to math? And am I allowed to change my major at orientation?

Thanks

2

It’s pretty easy to switch to Math but pretty difficult to switch to CS, any particular reason you want to switch? I ask because you can take Math classes freshman year and add a double major, it’s pretty common (Math + CS). But you might not want to drop CS until you try it out, you’ll get plenty of Math in that degree too

3

Really? That’s pretty interesting, can freshmen declare a double major or do you have to wait till soph year? The reason is because I just found out about the actuarial science program, which I find pretty interesting, but like you said, I wouldn’t want to give up my cs spot until I’m absolutely sure that’s what I want to do.

4

If this is what you want to do it should be easy, since you are already in CNS. One suggestion would be to stay in CS first semester. For the first year you will take mostly CNS basic classes anyway, which are requirements that all CNS majors have to take. So if after a semester of two you still want to switch to Math, you should be able to do so and not have lost any time. I think maybe you’d take 1 actual CS class each semester, the rest would be applicable towards math too. In fact if you really don’t like CS, you can just drop the class and replace it with something else. You will take Calculus each semester, which would be your same basic beginning math class for a math degree too. You definitely want to decide by the end of your freshman year, because starting the 2nd year is when you begin to get more into specific classes targeted at your major.

5

You don’t have to declare a double major early on. Some majors are close enough to each other (math and physics, for example) that it is pretty easy to double major. Others not so much. OP, your potential majors/double majors are close enough that i don’t think you have to make any big changes just yet. And I agree to stay in CS and feel it out since it would be hard to transfer out and then change your mind and want back in.

6

Thanks for the advice guys. I’ll probably stick with CS for a semester or two and see how it goes.