Proposed calendar change: Linear Algebra Requirement

Greg Baker, Director of Undergraduate Programs, School of Computing Science

July 21, 2008

Summary of Changes

This change allows CMPT students to take either MATH 232 or 240 to satisfy our linear algebra requirement.

In addition, CMPT 128 is added to the list of allowed college transfer courses. The wording of internal transfer courses is revised to enhance clarity for students.

Rationale

MATH 240 has been required in the past: it is a more formal/rigorous course that focuses more on proofs. MATH 232 is an applied linear algebra course that focuses on applications and methods of calculations. We feel that either course could serve CMPT students well. We will recommend MATH 240 to push students to the more rigorous treatment. (MATH 240 also makes our joint MATH programs easier to transfer into.)

Note that the joint program with MATH will not be changed (and will still require 240). MATH's own programs require 240, and 232 makes less sense for these students.

Revised Wording

Changes to CMPT college transfer requirements (p. 22 of the 2008/09 calendar)
CurrentProposed

Students applying for the computing science program may be admitted directly based on college grades, or may be offered general University admission with the opportunity to apply for later admission based on Simon Fraser University grades.

For direct entry from college, students must complete 24 units of transferable work; including one mathematics course and two computing courses, or one computing course and two mathematics courses that will receive the following transfer credit:

- MACM 101-3, 201-3, MATH 151-3, 152-3 and 240-3
- CMPT 125-3, (or 126-3), 150-3, 225-3, 250-3 and 275-4 (or 276-3)

Students applying for the computing science program may be admitted directly based on college grades, or may be offered general University admission with the opportunity to apply for later admission based on Simon Fraser University grades.

For direct entry from college, students must complete 24 units of transferable work; including one mathematics course and two computing courses, or one computing course and two mathematics courses that will receive the following transfer credit:

- MACM 101-3, 201-3, MATH 151-3, 152-3 and 240-3 (or 232-3)
- CMPT 125-3, (or 126-3 or 128-3), 150-3, 225-3, 250-3 and 275-4 (or 276-3)

Changes to CMPT Internal Transfer requirements (p. 115 of the 2008/09 calendar)
CurrentProposed

Internal Transfer

Simon Fraser University students applying for School of Computing Science admission are selected on the basis of an admission Computing Related Grade Point Average. The CRGPA is calculated over the best three courses chosen as follows.

- one mathematics course chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 150 (or 151), 152 and 240
- one computing course chosen from: CMPT 125, 126, 128, 150, (or ENSC 150), 225, 250 and 275
- one additional mathematics or computing science course chosen from the above lists

Internal Transfer

Simon Fraser University students applying for School of Computing Science admission are selected on the basis of an admission Computing Related Grade Point Average. The CRGPA is calculated over the best three courses chosen as follows.

- one mathematics course chosen from: MACM 101, 201, MATH 150 (or 151), 152 and 240 (or 232)
- one computing course chosen from: CMPT 125 (or 126 or 128), 150, (or ENSC 150), 225, 250 and 275
- one additional mathematics or computing science course chosen from the above lists

Changes to the Lower Division Requirements of the CMPT Major and Honors Programs (p. 116 of the 2008/09 calendar)
CurrentProposed

Lower Division Requirements

…

and all of

CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
CMPT 225-3 Data Structures and Programming
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 240-3 Elementary Linear Algebra

…

***MATH 150 may be substituted for MATH 151. MATH 154/155 or MATH 157/158 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted with school permission

Lower Division Requirements

…

and all of

CMPT 150-3 Introduction to Computer Design
CMPT 225-3 Data Structures and Programming
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 240-3 Algebra I: Linear Algebra***

…

***MATH 150 may be substituted for MATH 151. MATH 154/155 or MATH 157/158 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted with school permission. MATH 232 may be substituted for MATH 240.

Changes to the Lower Division Requirements of the Joint Major in Computing Science and Linguistics (p. 119 of the 2008/09 calendar)
CurrentProposed

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

MATH 151-3 Calculus I*
MATH 152-3 Calculus II*
MATH 240-3 Elementary Linear Algebra

…

*MATH 150 may be substituted for MATH 151. MATH 154/155 or 157/158 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted with permission of the school

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete all of

MATH 151-3 Calculus I*
MATH 152-3 Calculus II*
MATH 240-3 Algebra I: Linear Algebra*

…

*MATH 150 may be substituted for MATH 151. MATH 154/155 or 157/158 with a grade of at least B+ may be substituted with permission of the school. MATH 232 may be substituted for MATH 240.