/ Computer Science Department

Fall 2020 Registration Recommendations

Here are some recommendations for courses to take based on the highest-numbered course you will have completed after spring 2020.

No Computer Science, or only 112/195

You should sign up for CSCI 225, Software Design & Implementation. In this course, you'll learn the basics of object-oriented programming using the Java programming language. No prior programming experience is assumed.

If your schedule permits and you have not already taken it, you can also sign up for CSCI 112, Exploring Computer Science.

CSCI 225

You can sign up for CSCI 235, Data Structures & Software Design, or CSCI 245, Programming Language Paradigms. 235 is a continuation of learning to program using Java, while 245 focuses on several other languages, so you'll probably find it easier to continue on with 235.  245 is only offered in the fall semester, while 235 will also be offered in the spring.

It's not recommended that you sign up for both of these courses at the same time.  However, CSCI 376, Computer Networking, requires both 235 & 245 as pre-requisites, so if you want to take CSCI and you're graduating before the next time it's offered in Spring 2023, you will need to take both 235 and 245 in Fall 2020.  

If your schedule permits and you have not already taken it, you should also sign up for CSCI 112, Exploring Computer Science.

Csci 235

You should sign up for CSCI 245, Programming Language Paradigms You can also consider signing up for CSCI 255, Introduction to Algorithms & Discrete Structures. Some students have found it difficult to complete both of these courses concurrently, while others have been successful doing so. You should talk with your advisor or any computer science faculty member who knows you to help you decide what's best for you.

You can consider taking CSCI 321, Applications Programming in addition to either 245 or 255, but you might find this challenging. Talk with your academic advisor or a computer science faculty member who knows you to decide if this would be a good idea for you. 

If you plan to graduate before Fall 2022 and want to take 321, you will need to take it in Fall 2020 since it is offered every other year.

Finaly, you can also pair CSCI 112, Exploring Computer Science,with CSCI 235.  

CSCI 245

You should take CSCI 255, Introduction to Algorithms & Discrete Structures and/or CSCI 321, Applications Programming. If you plan to graduate before Fall 2022 and want to take CSCI 321, you should take it in Fall 2020 since it is offered every other year.

Taking both CSCI 255 and 321 in the same semester might be challenging. Talk with your academic advisor or a computer science faculty member who knows you to decide if this would be a good idea for you. 

You can also sign up for CSCI 112, Exploring Computer Science if you have not yet had that course.

Completed all 200-level courses

If you've already completed 225, 235, 245 and 255, then you should sign up for one or both of the 300-level courses, which are CSCI 321, Applications Programming, and CSCI 385, Advanced Data Structures & Algorithms

If you haven't yet completed CSCI 112, Exploring Computer Science, you must do so before completing any of the 300-level courses.

Students planning to graduate during the 2020–21 academic year
You must sign up for CSCI 481, Senior Project Seminar 1. This is a fall-0nly course, and you will also be required to take CSCI 482, Senior Project Seminar 2 in the spring.

We also recommend these courses from other departments if you have room in your schedule: