Since CS is in the college of sciences at UMD and not in the CoE (unfortunately), what can be my backup plan in case I don’t like CS or am not good at it. I know i can apply to Engineering school and business school but thats hard right? Just want some backup plans to finalize my UMD decision.
This plays a big part in my decision because my other colleges have CS in the engineering college.
Thanks.
Lots of backup plans at Maryland since there are so many departments that are outstanding. It is to your benefit that CS is in CMNS department rather than engineering. At Maryland, since engineering is a LEP (limited enrollment program) students can be dropped from engineering if they don’t maintain a certain level of achievement. Admission to engineering is harder as an incoming student, but if you think you won’t like coding as much, look at the gateway requirements for engineering and just make sure you are taking them so you can apply if you decide to go that route.
http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/transfer-guide
If you are already matriculated (enrolled/taking classes) at Maryland, you are considered an internal transfer student.
@maryversity so is the internal transfer hard (I’ve heard it is)? and I’m not enrolled yet so can i switch to engineering right now if i choose? And can u clarify again why its a good thing its in CMNS?
You are guaranteed placement into the Engineering school if you meet their gateway requirements, so you should look those up. While CS is not a LEP, like many majors, there are some weedout courses and you have to get Cs in them within two tries or you’re dropped from the major. MATH141 is one course that confounds some students, as well as a few of the CMSC courses.
@lenmonster oh really? i thought there was competition for internal transfers… its guaranteed? that may make it a little bit safer, i saw there is physics and chem… might be extra work haha
I am sure that the Engineering LEP is full right now. The LEPs have something called Benchmark checks. Every so many credits 45, 90, whatever they choose. they evaluate your grades. If you dont meet the predefined grade levels, you are kicked out of the LEP. Each LEP has their own criteria for benchmark checks
AN internal transfer to Engineering requires getting certain grades in the gateway courses and completing some paperwork. Transfer is guaranteed if you meet the requirements. It is NOT competitive. Internal transfers to Smith Business ARE competitive
@SoofDad oh okay thanks, so for gen ed there is once science and english involved and so i would only have to take an extra chem. according to this site http://www.eng.umd.edu/advising/transfer-guide
I’m not familiar with the details of Engineering internal transfers. That is something @maryversity knows more about. I just know that it’s basically guaranteed and not competitive (provided you get the required grades in the gateway courses) My D is not in Engineering.
These are the engineering school stats for incoming freshman this past year:
Average GPA: 4.33
Combined Math/Critical Reading SAT Scores:
o Average: 1407
o 25th Percentile: 1348
o 75th Percentile: 1470
SAT Math Scores:
o Average: 730
o 25th Percentile: 700
o 75th Percentile: 770
Honestly, I would not be put off by computer science not being in the college of engineering. First off, are you familiar with the differences in the coursework between comp sci and comp engineering?
Here is the 4 year plan for comp sci http://cmns.umd.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/docs/4yr-plans/CMSC.pdf
Here it is for computer engineering
http://www.eng.umd.edu/sites/default/files/images/current/forms/4yrplan/2014-2015/comp-4yrplan-ge-2014-2015.pdf
You can look up course descriptions by category (the 4 letter abbreviation) here https://ntst.umd.edu/soc/
Which coursework sounds more interesting? The advantage of not being in engineering is no chemistry, no physics (you have to take 2 for engineering - Mechanics & Particle Dynamics and Vibrations, Waves, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism) and no differential equations (you get to choose what math in the 200 range you prefer).