Computing Science Lower Division Restructuring: 2003/04

Rob Cameron, Qianping Gu, and Joseph Peters, School of Computing Science

Revision D - December 20, 2002

As approved at the Faculty of Applied Sciences Undergraduate Curriculum Committee meeting of December 20, 2002.

1. Introduction

This document presents a comprehensive and cohesive restructuring of computing science admission, internal transfer and lower division requirements. The principal goals of the restructuring are to define a recommended two-year course schedule in the form of a "soft" cohort program, to introduce a new concept of guaranteed placement for students pursuing admission to computing science and to improve the lower division breadth and writing requirements.

The restructuring is proposed in accord with the curriculum principles and directions outlines in the report of the Ad Hoc Committee to Review and Develop the Undergraduate Curricula as approved recently by Senate. Although full implementation of the report is an area for future work, the improvements to the writing and breadth requirements are in-line with the spirit of recommendations 1 and 3 of the report, while the notion of a soft cohort program with guaranteed placement provisions is in accord with the goal of improving course availability, accessibility and timely completion underlying recommendation 6.

2. Summary of Changes

The principal changes to lower division requirements are summarized as follows.

The writing requirement is modified to remove PHIL 001 from the list of allowable courses, to be replaced by PHIL 100 or PHIL 120.
The external breadth requirements are updated to bring them in line with the internal transfer provisions.
CHEM 122 and EASC 101 are added to the list of allowable physical science courses.
A recommended course schedule is defined.
The concept of guaranteed placement is introduced.

3. Changes to Internal Transfer Provisions

Current	Proposed
Internal Transfer SFU students applying for admission to the School of Computing Science are selected on the basis of an admission GPA calculated over seven courses chosen to satisfy the following breadth constraints. one writing course: PHIL 001 or any 100 level ENGL course. two mathematics courses chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 151, 152 and 232. two computing courses chosen from: CMPT 101, 150/ENSC 150, 201, 250 and 275. one physical sciences course: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120 or 121. one social sciences course: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103/105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, SA 101, 150 or WS 101. All seven courses used for this calculation must have been taken at Simon Fraser University. At least five of the seven courses must have been taken in the one year period preceding the admission application. No course may be included in the average it if is considered a duplicate of any previous course taken at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to take additional courses. The admission grade point average is calculated over the best seven courses that satisfy the constraints.	Internal Transfer SFU students applying for admission to the School of Computing Science are selected on the basis of an admission GPA calculated over seven courses chosen to satisfy the following breadth constraints. one writing course: PHIL 100, 120 or any 100 level ENGL course. two mathematics courses chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 151, 152 and 232. two computing courses chosen from: CMPT 101, 150/ENSC 150, 201, 250 and 275. one physical sciences course: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, 122, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120 or 121, EASC 101. one social sciences course: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103/105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, REM 100, SA 101, 150 or WS 101. All seven courses used for this calculation must have been taken at Simon Fraser University and taken in the four most recent registered semesters preceding the admission application. No course may be included in the average it if is considered a duplicate of any previous course taken at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to take additional courses. The admission grade point average is calculated over the best seven courses that satisfy the constraints.

Current

Proposed

Internal Transfer

SFU students applying for admission to the School of Computing Science are selected on the basis of an admission GPA calculated over seven courses chosen to satisfy the following breadth constraints.

one writing course: PHIL 001 or any 100 level ENGL course.
two mathematics courses chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 151, 152 and 232.
two computing courses chosen from: CMPT 101, 150/ENSC 150, 201, 250 and 275.
one physical sciences course: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120 or 121.
one social sciences course: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103/105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, SA 101, 150 or WS 101.

All seven courses used for this calculation must have been taken at Simon Fraser University. At least five of the seven courses must have been taken in the one year period preceding the admission application. No course may be included in the average it if is considered a duplicate of any previous course taken at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to take additional courses. The admission grade point average is calculated over the best seven courses that satisfy the constraints.

Internal Transfer

SFU students applying for admission to the School of Computing Science are selected on the basis of an admission GPA calculated over seven courses chosen to satisfy the following breadth constraints.

one writing course: PHIL 100, 120 or any 100 level ENGL course.
two mathematics courses chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 151, 152 and 232.
two computing courses chosen from: CMPT 101, 150/ENSC 150, 201, 250 and 275.
one physical sciences course: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, 122, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120 or 121, EASC 101.
one social sciences course: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103/105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, REM 100, SA 101, 150 or WS 101.

All seven courses used for this calculation must have been taken at Simon Fraser University and taken in the four most recent registered semesters preceding the admission application. No course may be included in the average it if is considered a duplicate of any previous course taken at Simon Fraser University or elsewhere. Students are encouraged to take additional courses. The admission grade point average is calculated over the best seven courses that satisfy the constraints.

Rationale

This incorporates the changed writing requirement into the internal transfer provisions, adds two additional science courses to the physical sciences list, and REM 100 to the social sciences list. In addition, the troublesome requirement that 5 of 7 courses be completed in a calendar year is replaced by a simple requirement that all 7 courses be completed in 4 semesters of registration.

4. Revised Lower Division Requirements

The calendar description of CMPT lower division requirements is changed to reflect both the program changes described above and to provide a recommended course schedule.

Current Proposed

Lower Division Requirements

Students who plan to undertake a major, or honors in computing science must obtain credit for the following lower division courses (or equivalents).

one of
CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming
CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming
plus all of
CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction
CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture
CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I
MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I
MACM 201-3 Discrete Mathematics II
MATH 151-3 Calculus I
MATH 152-3 Calculus II
MATH 232-3 Elementary Linear Algebra
PHIL 001-3 Critical Thinking
and one of
BUEC 232-3 Elementary Economic and Business Statistics I
STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
plus completion of at least two courses satisfying the School of Computing Science external breadth requirement 43-45 credit hours.

Notes

Approval of calculus courses in place of MATH 151 or 152 will be based on corresponding approval within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Any 100 level English course may alternatively be used to satisfy the requirement for PHIL 001. A grade of C- or better is required in PHIL 001 or its alternative.
It is recommended that students with normal entry complete the above courses within the first four semesters.

Lower Division Requirements

Students who plan to undertake a major, or honors in computing science must obtain credit for the courses listed below. The courses are listed in the form of a recommended schedule that students should complete within the first two years.

Courses and Recommended Schedule

Semester One (Fall)
CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming
(or CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming)
MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I
MATH 151-3 Calculus I
[one writing/breadth course]
Semester Two (Spring)
CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
MATH 152-3 Calculus II
[two writing/breadth courses]
Semester Three (Fall)
CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction
CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture
MACM 201-3 Discrete Mathematics II
[one writing/breadth course]
Semester Four (Spring)
CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I
MATH 232-3 Elementary Linear Algebra
STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I
(or BUEC 232-3 with permission of an advisor)
[one writing/breadth course]
Courses marked [writing/breadth] above must be chosen to satisfy the following requirements.

Writing Requirement

Students must complete PHIL 100-3 Knowledge and Reality, or PHIL 120-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy or any 100 level ENGL course.

External Breadth Requirement

Students must complete at least one course from each of the following science and social science lists.
Physical sciences: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, 122, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120, 121, EASC 101.

Social sciences: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103, 105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, REM 100, SA 101, 150, WS 101.

Students must also choose two additional courses from the list of external breadth courses published annually by the School. Alternatively, the completion of a minor in a liberal arts program will complete the external breadth requirement.

Current	Proposed
Lower Division Requirements Students who plan to undertake a major, or honors in computing science must obtain credit for the following lower division courses (or equivalents). one of CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming plus all of CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I MACM 201-3 Discrete Mathematics II MATH 151-3 Calculus I MATH 152-3 Calculus II MATH 232-3 Elementary Linear Algebra PHIL 001-3 Critical Thinking and one of BUEC 232-3 Elementary Economic and Business Statistics I STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I plus completion of at least two courses satisfying the School of Computing Science external breadth requirement 43-45 credit hours. Notes Approval of calculus courses in place of MATH 151 or 152 will be based on corresponding approval within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Any 100 level English course may alternatively be used to satisfy the requirement for PHIL 001. A grade of C- or better is required in PHIL 001 or its alternative. It is recommended that students with normal entry complete the above courses within the first four semesters.	Lower Division Requirements Students who plan to undertake a major, or honors in computing science must obtain credit for the courses listed below. The courses are listed in the form of a recommended schedule that students should complete within the first two years. Courses and Recommended Schedule Semester One (Fall) CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming (or CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming) MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I MATH 151-3 Calculus I [one writing/breadth course] Semester Two (Spring) CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design MATH 152-3 Calculus II [two writing/breadth courses] Semester Three (Fall) CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture MACM 201-3 Discrete Mathematics II [one writing/breadth course] Semester Four (Spring) CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I MATH 232-3 Elementary Linear Algebra STAT 270-3 Introduction to Probability and Statistics I (or BUEC 232-3 with permission of an advisor) [one writing/breadth course] Courses marked [writing/breadth] above must be chosen to satisfy the following requirements. Writing Requirement Students must complete PHIL 100-3 Knowledge and Reality, or PHIL 120-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy or any 100 level ENGL course. External Breadth Requirement Students must complete at least one course from each of the following science and social science lists. Physical sciences: BISC 101, 102, CHEM 120, 121, 122, KIN 142, PHYS 101, 102, 120, 121, EASC 101. Social sciences: ARCH 105, CMNS 110, 130, CNS 160, CRIM 101, ECON 103, 105, HIST 106, POL 100, PSYC 100, REM 100, SA 101, 150, WS 101. Students must also choose two additional courses from the list of external breadth courses published annually by the School. Alternatively, the completion of a minor in a liberal arts program will complete the external breadth requirement.

Rationale

This provides a recommended course sequence that creates a soft cohort system. Although students may vary course schedules at their own discretion, the School will be able to provide better assurances of space availability in accord with the schedule. The separate breadth requirements of the internal transfer structure and the preexisting external breadth requirement have been unified and incorporated within the lower division requirements. The writing requirement has been strengthened and the note implying that a C- in the writing course is acceptable has been dropped.

5. Guaranteed Placement Program

The following new calendar section describing guaranteed placement provisions is introduced and inserted immediately before the calendar section entitled "Continuation Requirements".

Guaranteed Placement Program

This program is designed to assure students of timely access to the courses needed to enter the Computing Science Major or Honours programs under the internal transfer model.

BC12 applicants may be offered guaranteed placement in Computing Science courses in conjunction with general admission to the Faculty of Applied Sciences. The BC12 admission requirements for Computing Science must be satisfied: see Admission and Readmission on page XX.

Students admitted to the Guaranteed Placement Program are guaranteed registration into lower division computing courses in accord with the recommended schedule listed in the Lower Division Requirements section. Students may continue in the program for up to two years, provided that a CGPA of 2.4 or better is maintained.

Students may apply for admission to Computing Science major or honours programs at any time during the two years of the Guaranteed Placement Program. In the event that a student is unable to meet the admission requirements after completion of the program, registration for the Certificate in Computing Studies is available.

Rationale

This program is designed to aid in recruiting of students to SFU by providing them with an assurance of registration in required CMPT courses of the Computing Science lower division.

6. Deletion of External Breadth Upper Division Requirement

The following calendar text is to be deleted.

Current	Proposed
External Breadth Requirement The school requires its honors and major students to acquire effective writing and discussion skills and to develop knowledge in diverse areas. Toward this end, students must complete at least nine credit hours (at any level) of external breadth courses in addition to PHIL 001. These courses must be from more than one department. Students are expected to take at least one external breadth course in each of their first three years. A list of courses approved for this requirement is published annually and is available from the office of the School of Computing Science.	Delete.

Current

Proposed

External Breadth Requirement

The school requires its honors and major students to acquire effective writing and discussion skills and to develop knowledge in diverse areas. Toward this end, students must complete at least nine credit hours (at any level) of external breadth courses in addition to PHIL 001. These courses must be from more than one department. Students are expected to take at least one external breadth course in each of their first three years. A list of courses approved for this requirement is published annually and is available from the office of the School of Computing Science.

Delete.

Rationale

With the incorporation of breadth courses specifically within the lower division requirements, the calendar section including external breadth as an upper division requirement becomes obsolete.

7. Changes to Lower Division Requirements of CS Minor Program

Current Proposed

Lower Division Requirements

Students who plan to undertake a minor in computing science should normally obtain credit for the following lower division courses.
one of
CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming
CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming
one of
CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I
CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture
plus all of
CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction
MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I
MATH 151-3 Calculus I
PHIL 001-3 Critical Thinking 24 credit hours
Notes

Approval of a calculus course in place of MATH 151 will be based on corresponding approval within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Any 100 level English course may alternatively be used to satisfy the requirement for PHIL 001.

A grade of C- or better is required in PHIL 001 or its alternative.

Lower Division Requirements

Students who plan to undertake a minor in computing science should normally obtain credit for the following lower division courses.
one of
CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming
CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming
one of
CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture
CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I
one of
PHIL 100-3 Knowledge and Reality
PHIL 120-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy
or any 100 level ENGL course
plus all of
CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction
MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I
MATH 151-3 Calculus I

Current	Proposed
Lower Division Requirements Students who plan to undertake a minor in computing science should normally obtain credit for the following lower division courses. one of CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming one of CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture plus all of CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I MATH 151-3 Calculus I PHIL 001-3 Critical Thinking 24 credit hours Notes Approval of a calculus course in place of MATH 151 will be based on corresponding approval within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Any 100 level English course may alternatively be used to satisfy the requirement for PHIL 001. A grade of C- or better is required in PHIL 001 or its alternative.	Lower Division Requirements Students who plan to undertake a minor in computing science should normally obtain credit for the following lower division courses. one of CMPT 101-4 Introduction to Computer Programming CMPT 104-2 Computer Programming one of CMPT 250-3 Introduction to Computer Architecture CMPT 275-4 Software Engineering I one of PHIL 100-3 Knowledge and Reality PHIL 120-3 Introduction to Moral Philosophy or any 100 level ENGL course plus all of CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design CMPT 201-4 Data and Program Abstraction MACM 101-3 Discrete Mathematics I MATH 151-3 Calculus I

Rationale

The writing requirement for the minor program is changed for consistency with the major program.