Getting Started

College: CICS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting starting with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Students interested in Computer Science are welcome to take introductory CS courses to align their schedules for applying to the major. Exploring other major options while taking CS predictor courses is also recommended.

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

Recommended GenEd options: College Writing, Social World/Diversity courses; CHEM 111 or GEOLOGY 101 (or GEOLOGY 103 or 105, along with GEOLOGY 131); PHYSICS 151.

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

COMPSCI 121 (Java Programming) followed by COMPSCI 187 (Data Structures)
MATH 131 and 132 for both the BS and the BA
In most cases, students start by taking COMPSCI 121 and MATH 131, with exceptions approved based on previous background, Math Placement or AP scores. A student with a score of 4 or 5 on the Computer Science AP Exam (CSA) will receive four credits for COMPSCI 121. Some students may need to take MATH 101-102 or MATH 104 as preparation for Calculus or entry-level computing courses in preparation for COMPSCI 121. Contact the Chief Undergraduate Advisor (CUA) for questions about placement in the COMPSCI and MATH sequences. Prospective majors should begin the COMPSCI and MATH sequences as soon as possible and apply as soon as they are eligible within the designated time frame of the application process on our webpages.

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current students, this major is restricted, which means students must apply through an on-campus process. The major may have criteria for admission/acceptance (e.g., specific courses, GPA).

All interested students are invited to attend frequently held career development events, seminars and tech talks, as well as student-run events organized by our active student groups. All interested students must attend a mandatory orientation scheduled before the application deadline each semester, and are invited to visit the CICS Peer Advisors. For peer advising hours see https://www.cics.umass.edu/content/undergraduate-peer-advising. Visit the website at the address below to find out when information sessions are scheduled.

In recent semesters, students meeting the following criteria have been admitted:

an overall GPA of at least 3.0
a B or better in all the predictor courses: COMPSCI 121, COMPSCI 187, MATH 131, MATH 132
with at least two of these predictors taken at UMass Amherst.**

**NOTE: For transfers, two higher-level courses taken at UMass/Amherst may be substituted for the above-listed predictor courses. The major generally will not accept courses that have been taken more than twice.

Current students can apply to change/declare a CS major (https://www.cics.umass.edu/ugrad-education/major-change-cs). Students must be enrolled in at least COMPSCI 187 and MATH 131 to be eligible to apply. Application deadlines are October 1 for spring registration and March 1 for fall registration. Most students not admitted upon application are offered a contract and designated as an "Applicant On Contract." Contracts may extend over one or more semesters and students who fulfill their contracts are admitted. Unsuccessful applicants are permitted one consecutive reapplication at the discretion of the Undergraduate Program Committee.

Transfer Students

Transfers should contact csapply@cs.umass.edu to begin the process of applying to the major following the same guidelines regarding predictor courses mentioned above. Specific questions may be sent to the Undergraduate Program Director (upd@cs.umass.edu).

Summary of Requirements for the B.S. Major:

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more. Minimum total # of credits required: 77.

Summary of Requirements for the B.A. Major:

Refer to the Major page located in the left menu bar to learn more. Minimum total # of credits required is 61.

Is there a minor? If so, what are the requirements?
Yes - A minor is available! Refer to the Minor page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

For further information, contact:
Alicia Clemente, Chief Undergraduate Advisor (cua@cs.umass.edu).

CICS Advising 413-545-4822

LGRC A243

or visit: https://www.cics.umass.edu/advising