The Computer Science Department is changing the language and processes surrounding Major Admission:
While the introductory coursework and requirements to begin taking major core and the majority of the upper division CSC electives is NOT changing, there will be changes in the way students are classified and progress from one level of the major to the next.
Beginning in Fall 2023, The Computer Science major will transition from having a “Pre-Major” and set of requirements which students must complete before being admitted to the full major to having all students begin at UA in the major and upon completion of the foundational coursework and other requirements, students will progress to “Advanced Standing” in Computer Science.
Please be aware that these changes will be applied across all current and future students. During the Summer of 2023 the Academic Services Office will be transitioning currently enrolled/declared students to the appropriate standing for the new system.
Overview of Changes and Common Questions:
Changing to this structure serves two main purposes. The first is to be in compliance with university and financial aid policy and prevent students in the program from having challenges related to obtaining their aid as a result of not being "in" a major. The second is to simplify and increase the efficiency of the process by which students transition from foundational coursework to core and advanced coursework.
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New Language |
Prior Language |
Used to Describe: |
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“Advanced Standing” or “Student with Advanced Standing” |
“Major” or “Full Major” |
Students who have completed the foundational coursework and met the requirements to enroll in major core and upper division CSC elective courses |
|
“Major” |
“Pre-Major” |
Students who are currently enrolled in or working to complete the foundational coursework and requirements to progress to advanced standing. |
|
“Foundational Coursework” |
“Pre-Major Courses” |
CSC 110, CSC 144, CSC 120, CSC 210, CSC 244 (and previously CSC 245) |
|
“Requirements for Advanced Standing” |
“Major Admissions Requirements” |
All requirements may be viewed on the (link to “undergrad curriculum overview”) page of our website |
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“Awarding Advanced Standing” |
“Major Admission” |
The process of evaluating students to determine if they have met the programmatic requirements to begin taking major core classes and CSC upper division electives and then changing their academic profiles to reflect appropriate registration access. |
Students currently classified as “Pre-Major” will be transitioned by the Academic Services Office to be Computer Science majors for either the Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Arts degree.
The requirements for your program and progressing into core and upper division elective that have limited enrollment access will not change. All requirements may be viewed on the (link to “Advanced Standing”) page of our website
Note: This will NOT give students access to CSC major core courses nor any of the upper division CSC electives which require Advanced Standing (previously “major admission”)
After grades are posted for Spring 2023, the Academic Services Office will complete the regular Major Admission process as we have for the last several years. This will be the final time this specific process is used. For details, please see the Courses and Registration page on our website. Students who qualify will be admitted to the full major and transitioned to Advanced Standing mid-summer 2023 at the same time as those students who are already in the full major.
Students expecting to complete their foundational work and requirements during Summer 2023 will be transitioned from "Pre-Major" to "Major" during Summer 2023. At the end of Summer 2023 classes, if a student qualifies, they will be awarded Advanced Standing in August 2023.
Most students who have already been transitioned from pre-major to major will not notice the switch to “Advanced Standing”. The change will be made by the Academic Services Office during the Summer of 2023 and will be reflected in UAccess Student. If you have difficulty registering for a class where the prerequisite is advanced standing in COSCBS or COSCBA, please contact the advising office or your individual academic advisor.
You can check your major in UAccess:
Current pre-major students will see they are now listed as CS major students.
Current full major students will see they are now in a student group for "Advanced Standing"
This transition will take most of the summer, so please be patient. The team will be sending out notices as stages are completed. There should not be any registration or other concerns that are impacted by this until Priority Registration during Fall 2023, so do not stress if your account is not yet updated.