/ Computer Science Department

Fall 2024 Registration Recommendations

Please read if you haven't yet taken CSCI 255 or are planning a B.S. in Computer Science

As you are making your plan for the next few years, you should be aware of an upcoming change to Loading.... Starting fall 2025 it will have MATH 160 - Discrete Mathematics (a new course) as a prerequisite. Thus, you should plan to either:

  • Take Loading... in fall 2024 OR
  • Take MATH 160 in spring 2025 followed by CSCI 255 in fall 2025

Further, if you are planning on a B.S. and have not completed your third math course, you may take MATH 160 to fulfill that requirement as long as you have not already taken CSCI 255 and do not plan to take it next fall.

This is a bit confusing, so if you plan to wait to take CSCI 255 after fall 2024 and/or want to take MATH 160 and have it count as a math course, please talk with Dr. Cusack to make sure you understand these changes.

Special course offering

We will again be offering Loading... (Mastering Git), which will be a 1-credit lab-based course to help you learn to become an effective use of the Git version control system.  You must have completed Loading... before taking this course.

Recommendations

Here are some recommendations for courses to take based on the highest-numbered course you will have completed after spring 2024.

No Computer Science, or only 112

You should sign up for ONE of:

  • CSCI 115, Introduction to Programming with Python or
  • Loading.... an introduction to object-oriented programming using the Java programming language.

No prior programming experience is required for either course; however, CSCI 125 moves at a slightly faster pace.  If you are comfortable with that faster pace, sign up for CSCI 125, otherwise we'd recommend CSCI 115 first.

Whichever course you sign up for, you might consider leaving one of the time slots where the other course is offered open in case you decide to switch.

Other courses to consider

CSCI 125

You can sign up for Loading... or Loading....  You'll probably find it easier to continue on with 235.

  • CSCI 235 is a continuation of learning to program using Java
  • CSCI 245 focuses on several other languages

It's not recommended that you sign up for both of these courses at the same time. 245 is only offered in the fall semester, while 235 will also be offered in the spring.  If you're considering studying off-campus in Fall '25, you should take 245 in Fall '24 and 235 in Spring '25.

Other courses to consider

CSCI 195

If you HAVE NOT completed Loading..., sign up for that course, which is an introduction to object-oriented programming in Java.

If you HAVE completed Loading...,  follow the recommedation under the CSCI 125 heading above.

Other courses to consider

CSCI 235

You should sign up for Loading....  Please review the information above regarding whether you should sign up for Loading....

Other courses to consider

  • Loading...:  This class is a prerequisite for all 300-level courses, so if you have not had it, this will be a good time to take it.
  • Loading... (Mastering Git).
  • Loading....: Some students have found it difficult to complete both of these courses concurrently, while others have been successful doing so. You should talk with your advisor or any computer science faculty member who knows you to help you decide what's best for you.

Planning for future 300 level courses

Loading... requires both CSCI 235 and CSCI 245 as pre-requisites, so if you want to take 376 in spring 2025, you'll need to ensure you've completed both pre-requisite classes. 

376 is offered spring of odd years, so it will not be offered again until Spring 2027.

CSCI 245

You should take Loading....

Other courses to consider

  • Loading...: This class is a prerequisite for all 300-level courses, so if you have not had it, this will be a good time to take it.
  • Loading... (Mastering Git)
  • One of the 300-level courses (Loading... or Loading...) but you might find this challenging. Talk with your academic advisor or a computer science faculty member who knows you to decide if this would be a good idea for you

Planning for future 300 level courses

If you plan to graduate before December 2026 and want to take CSCI 321 or CSCI 342, you should take them in Fall 2024 since they are every other year courses.

Completed all 200-level courses

You should sign up for one or both of the 300-level courses, which are Loading... and Loading....

If you haven't yet completed Loading..., you must do so before completing any of the 300-level courses.

Other courses to consider

Planning for future 300 level courses

If you plan to graduate before December 2026 and want to take CSCI 321 or CSCI 342, you should take them in Fall 2024 since they are every other year courses.

Students planning to graduate in May or December 2025
You must sign up for Loading... You will also be required to take Loading... in Spring 2025.

We also recommend these courses from other departments if you have room in your schedule:

Have questions not covered here?

Please discuss them with your academic advisor — or if you're not a declared major, talk with any computer science faculty member.

Hope CollegeComputer Science Department

VanderWerf Hall27 Graves PlaceRoom 204Holland, MI 49423

workP. 616.395.7510