1. The Software Systems Honors and Major F.A.Q. March 23, 2005

2. What Are Software Systems? ? Left for discussion at the end of the presentation

3. The Effect of a S. S. Honors/Major on your Course of Study (BCS)  Less freedom in choosing electives  Some electives are concentrated in the software design and implementation areas  Specifically, 5 elective courses must be devoted to the Software Systems Majors/Honors

4. So Why Do It?  You learn a lot more about what makes computers “do” what they do [my personal opinion only]  You have an interest in software –Do find something interesting to study; it makes your studies much more enjoyable  You want to work for a software company doing development work

5. What’s the difference between Majors and Honors?  Same course selection, except…  Senior report/thesis –Honors must take CS4997 –Majors may take either CS4983 or CS4997  Final grade point average –Honors requires 3.0 or above First class honors 3.5 or above Second class honors 3.0 or above –Majors requires 2.5 or above

6. Should You Choose Majors or Honors?  Choose honors if you possibly may achieve a 3.0 average  You can request a change later  If you are enrolled in honors but finish with a average between 2.5 and 3.0, you will be automatically moved to majors –If you complete with a grade point under 2.5, you will automatically be awarded a “general” degree (just as if you had not applied for majors/honors)  You must change from honors to major if you decide to take CS4983 instead of CS4997

7. CS4983 or CS4997?  CS4983 is a “library research” and report writing course  CS4997 is usually a “do something” course  CS4997 projects are often more interesting –You often work more closely with a professor  CS4997 is 4 ch; CS4983 is 2 ch  CS4997 is a full year (two term) course; CS4983 is a one term course  CS4997 typically takes more weekly time than CS4983

8. Why do it now?  The longer you wait to work out a plan, the harder it may be to fit in all the requirements

9. How Do I Enroll?  Fill out a “Application for Major/Honors in Software Systems” form –From the rack outside the FCS office (Gillin E floor) –From the Faculty of Computer Science web site  Get it approved by a software systems major advisor; currently: –Andrew McAllister –John DeDourek

10. “Old” Form

11. A Change The following new rules for Software Systems for all students graduating in May 2006: Software Systems: CS3013; 1 from CS4405, CS4905; 1 from CS4405, CS4905, CS4015, CS4025, SWE4103, SWE4203; 1 from CS3025, CS4735; 1 from Group A. NEW: OLD:

12. Suggeston  Also fill out an academic history worksheet –Leave marks blank for courses not yet taken  Show a copy to your major advisor  This avoids some mistakes made by major/honors students in the past

13. Academic History Worksheet 1 2 3

14. Major/Honors Courses

15. Other Electives Don’t include the majors/honors courses

16. Core CS4xxx/5xxx Elective Don’t include any of the majors/honors courses as the Core CS4xxx/5xxx elective

17. Questions? ?