FAQ about Course Selection, Placement and Credit
What courses should I take Freshman year?
How do I choose a course to start the math sequence?
How can I place out of CS021?
How do I get summer courses approved?
What about advanced placement?
Do Computer Science students participate in study abroad programs?
What courses should I take
Freshman year?
Most student should take CS 101 in the fall semester, followed
by CS 102 in the Spring. BA students should take CS 245
Discrete
Math in the fall of their freshman year. BS students may
delay CS
245 if they are taking science with a lab and calculus fall semester
freshman year. However, BS students should try to take CS 245
as
early as possible. Example schedules and a course
precedence diagram are available here.
How do I choose a
course to start
the math sequence?
Consult the placement recommendations on the Mathematics
Department website here.
How can I place out of
CS021?
CS
021
is typically taken by all CSOM students their first year at BC. It
explores Information Systems both strategically and technically. All
questions about CS 021 placement and/or credit are handled by Prof. James Gips.
How do I get summer
courses approved?
Check the
BC academic policies
before taking an external course (i.e. a summer course at another
school). If the course is to fulfill a core, major or minor
requirements, prior approval from
the corresponding department at Boston College. For example,
approval for mathematics courses is granted by the Mathematics
Department. Computer Science courses are approved by the Undergraduate
Program Director. Students
may take a maximum of three courses per summer. Please note that no
more than 8 summer or part-time courses may be credited towards and
Arts & Sciences degree. A grade of C- or better is required to
receive course credit.
What about Advanced
Placement? Can I
get credit for AP Computer Science and other AP high scores?
AP scores are used to make placement decisions, but not for
course credit. Specifically, students who score a 5 on the Computer
Science A exam, or a 4 or 5 on the Computer Science AB exam, or who
have significant programming experience should consult with the Department Chair
or Undergraduate
Program Director about starting the Computer
Science course sequence with CS10
For Advanced Placement for courses in other departments,
contact those departments directly (i.e. Mathematics, Biology,
Chemistry, Physics, English etc.)
Do Computer Science students participate in Study Abroad Programs?
Studying abroad can be an enriching experience. If you choose
to study abroad, you will need to plan your schedule carefully,
especially if you would like to spend your entire junior year abroad.
The Office
of International Programs has information and advising
services available to students interested in studying abroad including scheduling and deadlines.
If you plan to take Computer Science courses abroad, you need to
verify that they will count for credit before your semester abroad.
Consult wit the Undergraduate Program Director as early as possible in your planning.