Can I get AP credit for courses in Computer Science? A score of 4 or 5 on either the A or AB exam in Computer Science will give you 4 credits and exempt you from CSCI 6 and CSCI 9.
What programming languages do you teach? Currently we teach and use Java for the programming core of the major. Like most liberal arts colleges and universities, we don’t teach additional programming languages as separate courses—we devote our attention to the broader principles of Computer Science. In some courses it is appropriate to introduce a language that suits the subject, recent examples being Scheme in our Programming Languages course and SQL in our Database Systems course.
Can I study Computer Science at Drew if I didn’t take any high school programming courses? Yes. We recommend Computer Science 1 for all students interested in computer science, whether or not they have had previous programming experience. If you want to know more about CSCI 1 or about our program in general, speak with one of the program’s faculty members.
What kind of computer labs does Drew have? Since all full-time Drew students receive a notebook computer, and with network connectivity available in the residence halls and throughout the campus, Drew doesn’t need a lot of computer labs. But we do have a number of public computers for part-time students, some computers connected to special printers or other equipment, teaching labs designed with art and music courses in mind, and a computer graphics lab within the department of Mathematics and Computer Science to provide capabilities beyond those of the Drew-issue notebooks.
Are there part-time job possibilities or internships for Computer Science majors?
Quite a few of our majors hold part-time jobs on campus, at the computer aide station, computer repair shop, working with other departments or on university projects. Since computer skills are in demand, there are also jobs available off-campus. While we don’t encourage students to put in too many hours at a job off-campus, some of these positions are suitable as the basis of an academic internship, taking the place of a Drew course and providing a perspective that is hard to create in the classroom.
Mathematics
Can I get AP credit for courses in Mathematics? A score of 4 or 5 on the AB exam will give you four credits for Math 7. A score of 3 on the BC exam gives you four credits for Math 7, and a score of 4 or 5 on the BC exam gives you eight credits for Math 7 and Math 8.
What is the difference between Math 2 and Math 7?
Math 2 is a one semester, applications oriented survey calculus course. The prerequisite for Math 2 is two years of high school algebra. Math 2 satisfies the math requirement for a variety of majors including Biology, Economics, and Psychology and may be the appropriate course for students planning to take only one semester of calculus. Note that Math 2 does not fulfill the same prerequisites as Math 7. Math 7 is the rigorous first course in a two or three semester calculus sequence. This sequence is required for many science majors including Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics. The prerequisites for Math 7 are three and a half years of high school math including trigonometry.
Do I have to take a placement exam before registering?
Students are not required to take a placement exam before registering for calculus courses. If you have any questions about the right course for you, you should discuss your options with your instructor or with the department chairperson.
What should I take if I am thinking about majoring or minoring in Mathematics? Students interested in majoring or minoring in Mathematics should begin with the calculus sequence Math 7 and Math 8 (or appropriate AP credit) followed by Math 100. It is desirable to take Math 100 by the fall semester of one’s sophomore year as it is the prerequisite for most upper level math courses.
What math courses should I take to satisfy the breadth requirement in Division 1? You may use any course in the department towards your breadth requirement but the math courses most commonly used are Math 2, Math 3, and Math 7. It is a good idea look at the math requirements of any subject that you think is a potential major or minor before choosing a course for your breadth requirement.
Can I take a math course and a computer science course to satisfy all of my breadth requirement in Division 1?
No. You can take a math course or a computer science course, but the second course needed for your Division 1 breadth requirement must be from a different department.
If I get AP credit in Mathematics, can I use that towards my breadth requirement in Division 1? Yes.
What kind of calculator do I need for my math courses at Drew? There are no requirements to buy a certain kind of calculator. The calculator that you used in high school will generally meet all your needs.
If I am having trouble in my math course, what can I do?
First and foremost, you should speak with your instructor. The faculty member teaching your course has lots of experience in helping students learn the material and will have many suggestions for you. Peer tutors are available for any course through the dean’s office.
