CIS: Frequently Asked Questions from Students

General

• Where do I find the exact requirements for my degree?
  • The University Catalog is the only reliable source for this information. If any person or thing tells you something that contradicts the Catalog, the Catalog is right and the other source wrong. The Catalog has a section for each degree program; you should find the section for your program, read it, and refer to it often so that you become very familiar with your requirements. Note that requirements can change slightly from year to year; you must look up the program description for your catalog year. Your catalog year will be the year you matriculated (started your undergraduate career at the University), unless you changed your catalog year to a later year. A dropdown menu in the upper right lets you select the catalog year. From the menu on the left, click on "Programs". Then search for your program in the long list of all programs, and click on it.
• What is Degree Audit?
  • Degree Audit is a tool in the WebReg/UD-SIS system that displays the requirements for your degree program(s) and your progress in completing them. The requirements are displayed in a structured way, and underneath each requirement is a list of course(s) you have taken or are taking that will be applied to that requirement. Degree Audit also lists all your plans (majors, minors, etc.) and their catalog years, your GPA, and other information. It is highly accurate but in rare cases it says something that contradicts the catalog, in which case it is wrong and the catalog is right.
• Can I get an exception to a requirement for my degree?
  • In general students must fulfill the exact requirements specified in the UD Catalog for their degree program. In rare cases an exception can be made, but the situation must be exceptional and permission must be obtained from the department. If you want to apply a different course to a program requirement, fill out the Course Requirement Substitution Form. For all other cases, email the Undergraduate Curriculum and Program Committee. If an exception is granted, the change should be reflected in your Degree Audit within a few days; if this does not happen, you should contact the UCPC.
• Do I have to follow the 4-year-plan in the Catalog strictly or can I take a course at a different semester than specified in the plan?
  • The plans are only guides; students may take courses at other times. But note some courses are offered only in Fall or only in Spring, and in any case you must always meet the course's prerequisite, corequisite and other requirements in order to take a course.
• Can I take a course pass/fail? Can I audit a course (take as listener)?
  • A course taken pass/fail cannot be used to satisfy any major or minor requirement, but could be used as a free elective. An audited course does not earn any credit and therefore does not count for anything.

Breadth Courses

• Does ENGL 312 count as one of the 300 level or above breadth requirement courses?
  • From the program catalog page: Computer Science (BS): ENGL 312, ENGL 410 and CISC 355 all count toward the College of Engineering Additional Breadth Requirement as Upper Level Breadth courses.

BA Computer Science

• What do I take for my capstone and/or DLE course?
  • The University requires all undergraduate majors to take a capstone and a Discovery Learning Experience (DLE) course. These can be the same course, or different courses. The BA Computer Science program does not specify the capstone/DLE. Many BA students are double majors and take a capstone/DLE in the field of their other major. Some have done an undergraduate thesis. Those looking for a traditional computer science-based capstone may take CISC 498: Computer Science Senior Design Project I; this course satisfies the capstone and DLE requirements, and contributes 3 credits towards the technical elective requirement of the BA Computer Science degree. Note that BA students who take CISC 498 are not required to also take CISC 499 (the second part of the design project sequence), but they can if they want, and CISC 499 also contributes 3 credits to the technical elective requirement. Keep in mind that CISC 498 is offered only in the Fall, so plan accordingly.

BS Computer Science

• I took STAT 200 or have AP Statistics credit which transferred to credit for STAT 200. Do I still have to take MATH 205 or MATH 350?
  • Yes. STAT 200 is not a substitute for MATH 205. MATH 205 is a substantially different course that focuses on statistics and probability in computer science. In the past, the catalog said students could not take MATH 205 if they already had STAT 200, but that restriction has been inaccurate for a few years and will be officially removed from the catalog for the 2022-23 academic year.
• When do I choose my Concentration?
  • As early as possible. There is no limit to the number of times you can change your concentration, and by selecting now, your Degree Audit will show you exactly which courses you need to graduate, and you will be given priority for getting into classes required by the concentration. If you do not select a concentration, your Degree Audit will display the requirements for the "traditional" BS program. The traditional program requires courses that are not required by many concentrations, including MATH 242 and 4 credits of science courses beyond the 8-credit sequence. There is nothing wrong with taking these courses, but most students would like to know if they are required for their degree. At the absolute latest, the concentration should be chosen in the second semester of your second (Sophomore) year, before you register for your third year courses. Delaying the selection, or changing it after this point, could make it difficult or impossible to fulfill all the requirements by your expected graduation date.
• How do I declare a Concentration?
  • Follow the instructions here. Note that if you do not select a concentration, you will remain in the default "traditional" BS Computer Science program. The traditional program has additional math and science requirements and requires a 12-credit focus area rather than a concentration.
• What are the differences between a concentration and a focus area?
  • Concentrations are official program variants recognized by the University. Your concentration will appear on your transcript and is a valid credential that can be placed on your resume, shared with potential employers or graduate schools, etc. A focus area is a more informal and personalized arrangment that does not appear on the transcript or bestow any new credential. The focus area is mainly recommended if none of the concentrations appeal to you. Because of its personalized nature, a focus area must be approved by the student's advisor; no such approval is required to select a concentration.
• I've decided to stay in the traditional program. How do I choose my focus area courses?
  • Talk with your advisor. Your advisior will require you to write a brief proposal describing the computational theme of your focus area, the four courses, and an explanation of how each course relates to that theme. The advisor will either approve your selection or send it back to you for changes. These courses should be approved before you take them. The focus area courses may consist of CISC courses, or courses from another area, or be some combination. They must be advanced courses, meaning they have prerequisites or are at or above the 300 level. Up to 6 credits of independent study or senior thesis can be used toward the 12 credits of the focus area if the independent study courses form a coherent part of the focus area.
• I am trying to graduate in 3.5 years. Is that possible?
  • It is possible for some students, usually those that have significant AP or transfer credit, and/or took classes in winter or summer terms. The biggest challenge is the capstone sequence CISC 498-499. Because CISC 498 is offered only in Fall, and CISC 499 only in Spring, you must take CISC 498 in the Fall of your Junior (third) year. This is possible if you plan ahead. Another option is to do a senior thesis instead of CISC 498-499.
• Can independent study be used as a concentration course?
  • No, but it can be used to satisfy the CISC Elective requirement, and it can be used as part of a student's focus area (with advisor approval) in the traditional program.

Honors Program

• Is it required to take English 110 even if I have already taken Honors 292?
  • Yes, Honors 292 is the Honors coloquium. Honors students must take this, but must also take ENGL 110.
• In general, in the first two years, is there any difference between the honors program and the regular program?
  • Honors students generally work towards the Honors Award which is given at the end of the sophomore year. This award requires them to take the Honors ENGL 110, Honors Colloquium, and at least two other Honors courses in their first year, and a total of 6 Honors courses in their first two years. It is generally advisable for students to take the Honors courses being offered in their own majors. The requirements are again listed on the Honors web site.

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Last modified: 08/17/2023 16:54 EDT