UMich Computer Science LSA and Engineering

Why does UMich have CS in both schools if they are virtually the same programs? I know they have had over-enrollment issues for a few years now, and those issues are only going to get worse with more and more students wanting to study CS. Personally, I think they would be better off making it like some other schools where you apply to the major. Perhaps everyone take EECS 183/ENG 101, EECS 203, and EECS 280 and then apply to do CS.

Many schools have CS in different colleges. The big differences is usually what your extra courses look like.

https://cse.engin.umich.edu/academics/undergraduate/computer-science-lsa-vs-computer-science-engineering/

"The differences are in the general requirements required of all LSA or College of Engineering students in order to get a degree from their respective college.

Differences:

Total Number of Credits Required
LSA requires 120 credits
Engineering requires 128 credits

Name of Degree Earned
LSA degree is a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
Engineering degree is a Bachelor of Science Engineering (Computer Science)

Double Majors
LSA students can more easily double-major with other LSA departments
Engineering students can more easily dual with other Engineering programs"

For a deeper dive look at the 4 year plan of studies for both majors.

They of course are more popular and many kids switch back and forth to both once they decide what they want their future classes and goals to look like. Both will get you placed with good companies. Just a preference and another options. It’s good to have options and good that they offer them.

Not declaring your major until the end of your sophomore year is one of the true advantages of UMich over the UC’s here in CA. Not every student knows exactly what they want to major in, in fact, we were told that 75-85% of freshman will ultimately change their major at least once before graduation.

Engineering 101, Physics 140, Math 116 are considered some of the most difficult courses to take at UMich. So, assuming one can pass the gauntlet, which many can’t, a student can relatively freely elect a non-CS major or school (LSA, CoE).

https://oneclass.com/blog/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/120957-10-of-the-hardest-classes-at-the-um-ann-arbor.en.html

A bit like Orgo for aspiring premeds. It’s a weeder course.

It is worth noting that LSA students need to take a lot/all those courses you mentioned with minimum grade standards, IIRC, before declaring in CS.

They actually have made it so LSA and Engineering have to meet the same standards to continue with CS. It used to be LSA needed 2.5 GPA across the classes before 281, but now it’s the same for Engineering. It kind of makes sense though.