Computer Science Dept. Policy for Undergraduates

Science Electives

Which courses count as Science Electives?

Every student who joins the computer science major in September 2005 or later must pass four credits of approved natural science courses.  There are two ways to do so:

1. two approved 3-credit natural science courses
2. one approved 4-credit natural science course and an additional general elective

Natural science electives must come from one of the four natrual science departments in the College of Arts & Sciences.  These are:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Environmental, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences
• Physics and Applied Physics

The courses in these departments that fulfill the natural science elective requirement are those courses that are classified as required or elective courses for the majors in those departments.  Courses that satisfy GenEd requirements do not satisfy the natural science elective requirement.  In addition, Physics I and II (95.141 and 91.144 and their complementary labs 96.141 and 96.144) do not satisfy this requirement because they are required of all CS majors.

In Biological Sciences, all courses that begin with 81 can be used to fulfill this requirement.  Courses beginning with 83 will not satisfy this requirement because they are designed for non-science majors.

In Chemistry, the following courses are recommended for satisfying this requirement.

• 84.121 Chemistry I (3 credits) with 84.123 co-requisite lab - Fall offering
• 84.122 Chemistry II (3 credits) with 84.123 co-requisite lab - Spring offering

In Environmental, Earth, and Planetary Sciences, the following courses are recommended for satisfying this requirement.

• 87.201 Principles of Earth & Environmental Systems I (with 87.203 lab) - Fall offering
• 87.202 Principles of Earth & Environmental Systems II (with 87.204 lab) - Spring offering
• 89.314 Hydrogeology - Spring offering

In Physics, all courses except the following will satisfy the natural science requirement.

• 95.121 and 96.121 Exploring the Universe (lecture and lab) - designed for non-science majors
• 99.101 and 99.102 Radiation and Life (lecture and lab) - designed for non-science majors
• 95.141 and 91.144 Physics I and II and 96.141 and 96.144 Physics I and II Labs - required of all CS majors

Please direct questions to Prof. Jesse M. Heines, UML CS Undergraduate Coordinator, heines@cs.uml.edu