Frequently Asked Questions about Computer Science
1. What electives do I take?
It depends on where you plan to transfer. Your best bet, that will save time and money, is to talk to your advisor for your major at Reynolds. Select your transfer university as soon as possible because electives are different at every school. For instance, History at Reynolds satisfies a Social Science general education requirement but satisfies a Humanity requirement at VCU. For the most current information, make an appointment with your transfer university and talk to them about course choices. They are more than willing to work with potential transfer students. If you want to earn the A.S. degree and do not plan to transfer, take any elective on the Math and Science elective list.
2. Is a foreign language required for Computer Science majors?
Contact your transfer university.
3. What about programming in C++? Is that offered?
Reynolds offers C++ as CSC 210 (comparable to CSC 201) in a distance education format every semester. The second semester (CSC 202) will be offered one time a year only as a distance education course. You may substitute CSC 210 for CSC 201 to earn the Computer Science specialization. You must take the CSC sequence in the same language. CSC 201 and the fall lecture CSC 202 courses are taught in JAVA.
4. What about taking statistics at Reynolds?
The statistics (MTH 240) is a non calculus-based statistics course. The statistics required in Computer Science is a calculus based statistics course. You should check with your transfer institute.
5. What is the difference between ITP and CSC degrees?
At Reynolds the ITP degree is a terminal degree and courses may or may not transfer to a four year institution.
6. What's the difference between Computer Science and Information Systems?
"If you are interested in why a computer works or are intrigued about how multiple systems are networked, Computer Science may be the field for you. Students in this area are interested in both the mathematical theory and technical application of computer science. ....The area of computer science includes analysis, design, development, and implementation of systems that record, transmit, store, and process information....CS does not include hardware, HTML, or web design....The Information Systems major prepares students who wish to apply their knowledge of computer technology, packages, and networks to the solution of information problems in the business environment." Courtesy Nancy Neville, VCU.
7. May I retake a course if I fail it? Will the new grade replace my old grade?
Yes, you may retake a course and the new grade replaces the old in your GPA. The old course grade will appear in your transcript and if the new grade is worse than the old one, it still replaces the older grade.
8. Do I need a Biology sequence for Computer Science?
No if you transfer to VCU, you need only the first semester. Take your sequence in Chemistry or Physics. We can substitute Biology102 in your curriculum but as of 2002 the other lab sciences are better choices. Other colleges may differ.
9. I'm confused do I take MTH 163 or MTH 166 before Calculus?
If a student does not place into MTH 173, the student must take prerequisite courses dictated by their placement scores. There has been confusion in the past about the difference between MTH 163 and MTH 166. Computer Science students must take MTH 166 because MTH 163 does not contain the trigonometry required for successful completion of MTH 173. MTH 166 is equivalent to the fourth year of high school mathematics.
10. Do I have to take CSC 201 and/or CSC 202 before CSC 210?
No, you may take CSC 210 with a prerequisite or co-requisite of MTH 173. It is the same course as CSC 201 but uses C++ as the programming language. This is a clarification of the college catalog.
11. May I take CSC 205 before CSC 202?
You may with the program head's permission.
