Not sure what classes to take in your first term at PSU? Use the guides below for suggestions, and connect with an academic advisor if you need more help. You can also email uccs@pdx.edu with questions.
General suggestions:
- Full-time is 12 credits. Most courses are 4 credits, so three courses is typically considered full-time. You should also budget 2-3 hours per credit outside of class for homework and studying.
- Consider the times when courses are offered and how they fit in your personal schedule/preferences. If you are not a morning person, you may want to avoid 8 am courses. If you have school-aged children, how does that impact your choices?
- Computer Science is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. If you did not complete 2 years of language in high school (Oregon graduates only), you will need 101 and 102 of a language before you graduate. If you did complete this, send your high school transcripts to Admissions.
REGISTRATION ISSUES:
We hope everything goes smoothly for your registration, but here are solutions to some common issues:
- Registration error is "pre-requisites have not been met:" To request an override, do one of the following:
- If you get a co-requisite error when trying to add a science lecture and lab (ex: CH221Z with CH227Z or PH211 with PH214), make sure to add BOTH lecture and labs together before hitting the submit button. The same is true for First Year Inquiry and Sophomore Inquiry - make sure to add BOTH lecture and mentored section/lab together before hitting the submit button.
First-Year Students:
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| UNST 1XX First Year Inquiry or Honors 101 The Global City (5 credits) | These are yearlong sequences, so check out the First Year Inquiry Planning Guide and Honors website for descriptions and bios, and pick a theme that interests you. |
| CS 161 Intro to Programming & Problem-Solving (4 credits) or CS 162 Intro to Computer Science | Depends on programming experience and math placement. Use this self-placement guide to determine which course to start with. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 0-29, take the following math course: |
| UNST 199 Qualities in Math Confidence (4 credits) | You may also use the Learning Module in ALEKS and retake the assessment. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 30-45, take the following math course: |
MTH 095 Intermediate Algebra (4 credits) OR MTH 111Z Precalculus: I: Functions (4 credits) AND MTH 199 Precalculus Support (1 credit) | Talk to your advisor about which option is best for you. You will need approval to register for MTH 111Z + MTH 199. If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. |
| If your ALEKS Math Placement score is 46-100, take the following math course: |
MTH 111Z Precalculus: I: Functions (4 credits) OR MTH 112Z Precalculus II: Trigonometry (4 credits) OR
MTH 251Z Differential Calculus I (4 credits) | Take the appropriate class based on your score on the Placement Assessment. If you have AP, IB, or college credit, send those transcripts to Admissions. |
Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs
Transfers with 30+ credits not admitted to upper division engineering:
Review courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed or any additional math not yet completed (MTH 252 and either 253 or MTH 261 required). All BMI/CS majors must "Opt-in" to take 300 and 400 level (upper division) CS coursework. Please see admission criteria and application timelines.
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| CS 163 Data Structures (4 credits), if not already completed | If you have completed CS 162 |
| CS 205 System Programming & Architecture (4 credits) | If you have completed CS 162 |
| CS 250 Discrete Structures I (4 credits) | If you have completed CS 162 and MTH 112Z |
| BI 221Z, CH 221Z/227Z, G 201/204, or PH 211/214 (4-6 credits) | You will need a sequence of either of these sciences. |
| AND, if transferring 30-89 credits |
| UNST 2XX Sophomore Inquiry or HON 260 Honors Writing for Sophomore Transfers (4 credits) | Refer to descriptions on the websites linked and pick a theme that interests you. UNST 220, UNST 222, or UNST 239 recommended. Helpful video: How to register for FRINQs & SINQs |
| AND, if transferring 90-134 credits |
| Upper Division Cluster course or Honors Writing (HON 360). | Use this helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses |
Transfers with 90 or more credits:
If you are admitted to upper division Computer Science, choose from below and consult the upper division CS advisor. If not, review the courses above first, and take any courses that are not yet completed.
| For BS degree | Advisor Pro-Tips |
|---|
| Upper Division Cluster course* or HON 360 Honors Writing (4 credits) | Helpful video: How to search for Cluster courses
*If you are transferring 135 or more credits, you do not need the cluster. Consider a or a Race and Ethnic Studies designated course. |
| You may only take UP to two of the following courses before completing the upper division opt-in form: |
| CS 302 Program Methods & Software (4 credits) | Prerequisite: CS 163 AND 205 |
| CS 350 Algorithms & Complexity (4 credits) | Prerequisite: CS 250 AND 251 |
| CS 486 Intro to Database Management (4 credits) | Prerequisite: CS 161, 162, AND 250 |
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