Academic Programs FAQ

[ All ] [ Majors ] [ Minors ] [ Concurrent ] [ Graduate ]

[CS graduate policies, procedures & forms]

All Programs/Miscelleneous

What the dates and procedures for adding and dropping courses?
The dates and procedures are different for undergrads and graduate students. Please see the registrar's webpage for the exact details each semester, under "Important Notices/Instructions".

Can JHUISI courses (650.xxx) be used to satify CS course requirements?
In general, no. Only 600.xxx numbered courses are considered CS courses. This may include some courses that are cross-listed with JHUISI, but students should register for the 600.xxx version. Some technically oriented 650.xxx courses may be applied towards CS course requirements, but only with explicit advisor approval. For undergrads there is a limit of 6 non-CS credits, ISI and ECE combined.

Majors (BS and BA)

Which set of degree requirements should I be following?
The ones in effect at the time you declared the major, or you may choose to follow a set from a later year (ie, a more recent list of requirements). However, you must fulfill all the requirements from one year, not mix and match requirements. Please make sure that your advisor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies know which set you are planning to fulfill.

Does AP Statistics count towards the Math requirements?
The AP Statistics credits are equivalent to 550.111 Statistical Analysis I. As such, they may be used towards the BA math credit requirements, but not the BS math credits. (The BS math credits must be 200 level or above, beyond the required core courses.) However, AP Stats may partially fulfill the probability and statistics requirement for the BS. A probability course will still be necessary.

Do the science lab courses (eg, Physics Lab) count towards the Basic Science credit requirements or do they only count as electives?
They count towards your Basic Science required credits. Check here for a listing of approved courses.

If I got AP credit for chemistry (6 credits worth) or physics, does that cover the lab requirement?
Yes always for chemistry. For physics this was changed to be a Yes in 2006. Each separate physics AP exam includes only that associated lab. For both sciences, using AP credits will give you fewer total credits than if you take separate lecture and lab courses here, so make sure you are still meeting to total science credit requirement.

How do I go about getting internship credit?
As you acquire an outside work opportunity, you need to get a faculty sponsor from within our department who agrees that the work is fundamentally academic in nature. He/she is the one to review your work and assign you the grade (S/U only). You will be expected to produce some type of report on your work. Starting in Summer 2007 there is a university limit of only 1 internship credit per semester. You cannot receive credit for work that you are paid to do (University rule).

What is the standard sequence of programming courses?
Students are expected to take intro programming (currently Java or AP credit), followed by 600.120 Intermediate Programming and 600.226 Data Structures in whichever order you prefer. Try to avoid taking 600.120 and 600.226 simultaneously since they are both very programming intensive.

(BA only) If I am proficient in a foreign language at the intermediate level or above, do I still have to take 6 credits of a foreign language?
No, as long as there is sufficient evidence of your proficiency. This may include: completing an intermediate or higher level foreign language course, at least 6 AP language credits, or a letter of proficiency from a JHU language department.

Minors

What's the difference between a BME with CS concentration and a CS minor?
Very little. We allow BMEs with a CS concentration to substitute 600.333 Computer System Fundamentals for 600.271 Automata Theory. Three of your upper level courses for the concentration must be in CS specifically for the minor (not BME courses with CS content). Alternatively, if you take 600.271, then 600.333 and 2 CS applications courses (usually CIS I & II) can be used as your upper level courses for the minor.

Concurrent (Bachelors/Masters)

Do my Bachelors and Master degrees have to be in the same department?
No - you can do a concurrent MSE in Computer Science with a major in another department. However, you should have core coursework in CS before applying. Similarly, you may do a bachelor degree in CS with a Masters in a related field such as the MSSI or applied mathematics, pending admission to their masters programs.

When should I apply?
In the semester prior to when you expect to begin your Masters studies. This is usually spring of sophomore year or fall of junior year.

Can I count courses towards both my Bachelors and Masters degrees?
According to univeristy and departmental policy established in 2009, you may count at most two graduate courses (400 level and above) towards both degrees All other courses for your MSE should be totally separate from all 126 (120) credits used for your BS (BA) degree.

Graduate (MSE/PhD)

Can internship credits count towards my course requirements?
No, because they are not graded. If an internship has sufficient academic content to be worthy of graded credits (as determined by a CS faculty member), you should sign up for an independent study or independent research instead.

Can 600.7xx seminar courses count towards my course requirements?
No, because they are not graded.

Do I need to be registered if I'm finishing my degree requirements within the semester grace period?
Yes! You must be registered for something or you cannot be certified for graduation. This does not mean you need to pay tuition, unless you don't make the grace period deadline.