Computer Science and Data science are CSE’s fastest growing
majors. At this time, there is more demand for the programs than The Department
of Computer Science and Engineering can currently accommodate. In this post,
we’ll dive into the admission to the major process and statistics. We’ll also
cover the importance of parallel planning.
The Computer Science and Data Science programs have seen a
tremendous increase in interest for more than a decade. While The Department of
Computer Science and Engineering has worked to accommodate the growing demand,
the investment in department faculty, staff, and facilities has been unable to
keep pace. Therefore, the department has been forced to set strict limits on
admission to the major until sufficient capacity has been built to accommodate
all interested and qualified students.
What else should I be doing as I work toward applying to the major?
Due the Department of Computer Science and Engineering’s
space limitations, we encourage all students interested in pursuing computer
science and data science to keep tabs on the technical GPA cut-off trends for
the major, know which courses count toward their technical GPA, and create a
parallel plan. Parallel planning helps students more easily pivot majors if
needed/desired while limiting stress.
When am I eligible to apply to the Computer Science or Data Science program?
CSE accepts applications to the major during the fall and spring semesters. Further information on applying to a major, including the admission to the major timeline, are found on Application to a Major Information for Current CSE Students page.
Computer Science: Current CSE students are eligible
to apply to the Computer Science major when the have the following courses (or
their equivalents) either completed or in progress: MATH 1371, MATH 1372, CSCI
1133, CSCI 1933, and CSCI 2011. All prerequisite courses must be completed by
the end of the term in which a student is applying for admission to the major
with a grade of C- or higher.
Data Science: Current CSE students are eligible to
apply to the Data Science major when the have the following courses (or their
equivalents) either completed or in progress: MATH 1371, MATH 1372, CSCI 1133,
CSCI 2081 and STAT 3021 All prerequisite courses must be completed by the end
of the term in which a student is applying for admission to the major with a
grade of C- or higher.
What does The Department of Computer Science and Engineering take into consideration when reviewing applications to the major?
A student’s technical GPA is the primary criteria used for determining admission to a major in CSE. Reviewing historical technical GPA cut-offs by major and courses used in technical GPA calculation can help you gain a better understanding of technical GPA.
To enable a more holistic review of applicants to the major,
students may also submit a Personal Statement. The personal statement is specific to the Computer Science and Data
Science majors and not accepted for other CSE majors. A personal statement is the only way a student may be admitted
to the Computer Science or Data Science major with a technical GPA below the
cut-off.
I’ve heard a 3.2 technical GPA guarantees me admission to the major, is this true?
Students who have completed all of the necessary
prerequisite courses and have a 3.2 technical GPA or above by the end of the
fall semester will be guaranteed admission to the major. Students who apply to
the major during the spring semester are considered for the major on a
space-available basis. During the spring semester, there is no guaranteed
technical GPA for admission to the major.
What happens if I am not admitted to the Computer Science or Data Science program?
Students are eligible to apply to a major twice. If you have not been admitted to a major after
three semesters of enrollment, or after one semester of enrollment if you are a
transfer student, a Major Declaration Required (MDR) hold will be put on your
account. The MDR hold will only be removed once a student has been admitted to
a major in CSE or if they transfer to another college at the University of
Minnesota.
Students who have an MDR hold must meet with their college
advisor to discuss their plans moving forward. Advisors will assist students
with determining the feasibility of being admitted to the Computer Science or
Data Science major and will support students in parallel planning. Students who
cannot mathematically get their technical GPA up to the recent technical GPA
cut-off range will be encouraged to pivot to their parallel plan. If a student
has not been admitted to their major after two
attempts, they will be required to switch to their parallel plan.
You keep mentioning parallel planning, what exactly does it mean?
Simply put, a parallel plan is a back-up plan. CSE
encourages all pre-major students to identify and create a parallel plan as a
back-up plan to their first-choice major, regardless of their first-choice
major. Parallel planning can help students pivot majors more easily while
limiting stress. Our blog
post on parallel planning has more information on how to create your
parallel plan.
What are common parallel plans?
There are often multiple paths to the same career field.
Some of the most common parallel plans for computer science pre-major students
are:
- Computer Engineering and
Electrical Engineering
- Data
Science
- Industrial and Systems
Engineering
- Mathematics
– Computer Applications
- Information
Technology Infrastructure
Some of the most common parallel plans for data science pre-major students are:
- Industrial and Systems
Engineering
- Mathematics
– Computer Applications
- Mathematics- Data Science
- Information
Technology Infrastructure
- BA
in Statistical Practice- Data Science
Check out the CSE
four-year plans to help you create your parallel plan and take a look
at What
can I do with a major in…? to learn more about typical career outcomes
by CSE major.
I still have questions, who should I talk to?
Your college advisor is here to support you throughout your
time in CSE! You can also come to advising
drop-ins for a brief conversation with an advisor. The CSE
Academic Departments can also help answer questions about parallel
planning and career outcomes.
Helpful Resources:
Application
to a Major Information for Current CSE Students
Historical
Technical GPA Cut-offs by Major
Courses
Used in Technical GPA Calculation
