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Virginia State University FAQ on Computer Science Advising |
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Q. How do I find out who my academic advisor is? A. The Mathematics & Computer Science Department assigns an advisor to each student as they enter the program. An updated list of advisors, their advisees, office locations and office hours is posted on the bulletin board across from room HM 211S on the second floor of the Hunter McDaniel Building. |
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Q. How do I find my academic advisor? A. The Mathematics & Computer Science advisors photographs and the list of office locations are posted on a bulletin board in the Hunter McDaniel building, next to room 213S (Math & CS office). The list of Mathematics & Computer Science Faculty and Staff can also be found on our web page under Faculty and Staff. IA list of Computer Science faculty can also be found on http://sest.vsu.edu/mathcs/ABET.Your academic advisor should contact you by phone and/or email. If you have not yet heard from your advisor, you must email him/her and setup an appointment. |
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Q. What are my responsibilities as an advisee? A. Your advisor’s responsibility is not just to register you in the courses. Your advisor is also your mentor. She/he is there to assist/guide you with clarifying life and career goals, to help you develop your educational plans, to monitor your performance and your progress towards graduation, and to refer you to appropriate sources or resources such as internship opportunities. So, your advisor is the best person to see when you have any questions, concerns and/or academic difficulties. Make sure to make regular appointments with your advisor and seek help when needed, show up on time for all advising appointments, discuss your long-range goals with your advisor, keep your advisor informed of changes in your schedule, academic problems, changes of major, minor, etc. Turn off all cell phones and pagers, and listen attentively to the advisor. Make final decisions about choices concerning academic matters and assume final responsibility for your decisions and academic choices. |
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Q. How often do I need to see my advisor? A. Registration week should not be the only time you see your advisor. You must see your academic advisor at least five times per semester excluding the registration time. See your advisor at the beginning of the semester, before and after midterm exams and before and after final exams. You should visit with your advisor whenever you have questions about the curriculum. Either stop by during your advisor’s office hours or make an appointment. At the most basic level, you must contact your advisor to map out a plan of study after you declare your major as computer science, to remove your advising hold each semester so that you may register for classes, and two semesters before you plan on graduating to complete the curriculum review form for seniors. |
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Q. What is the difference between pre-registration and registration? A. A pre-registration is an early registration for returning college students that takes place a semester before the general registration. Banner views a course currently underway but not yet graded as a satisfied pre-requisite. Therefore, you are allowed to register for the next semester course without satisfying the prerequisite requirement. Advisors will check the satisfactory completion of pre-requisite requirements for each course during the general registration process. |
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Q. How do I register for courses? A. You must see your academic advisor before you can register for courses. You and your academic advisor will plan your courses each semester. You will not be able to register unless you have your advisor’s approval. You can preview the Course Availability Schedule for the upcoming semester before meeting with your advisor. This schedule is available on the Registrar's web site. |
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Q. How do I Drop/Add courses? A. You must see your advisor in order to drop and add courses. We strongly discourage you to drop and/or add a course without your advisor’s approval. A drop/add form is available on the Registrar's web site or in the Math and Computer Science Office, Room 213S in the Hunter McDaniel Building that can be completed and taken to your advisor for approval and signature. |
Q. I want to take a credit overload. How do I get permission?A. To obtain permission for a credit overload you must see your advisor. The final approval must be obtained from the Chairperson of the Mathematics & Computer Science Department. This Schedule Overload Authorization form may be found on the Registrar's web site, completed by you and your advisor and submitted to the Chairperson for signature. |
Q. What is a Study Plan form and how can I obtain a copy?A. A Study Plan is a form that contains the list of the courses you will take to fulfill the degree requirements in Computer Science. You may obtain a copy from your advisor or from the Mathematics & Computer Science office in room 213S, HM. |
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Q. What do I need to do if I fail a course? A. You must re-take it. But more importantly, you must immediately inform your advisor. You and your advisor, together, must re-register you in the course for the following semester. Also, you must be dropped from the subsequent course you were registered for at the time assuming that you would pass all your courses. Please see the Drop/Add courses instructions listed above. |
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Q. Can I go ahead and register myself in the courses? A. No. You will not be able to register unless you have your advisor’s approval. Your advisor will have to remove the “Registration Hold” before you can register. Let your advisor help you graduate on time by working with you on prerequisites, electives, and course scheduling. |
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Q. How do I change my major? A. You must see your advisor and also inform the Chairperson of the Mathematics & Computer Science department of your decision to change your major. If your final decision is approved, then you need to complete a Change of Major form which you can obtain from the Registrar's web site. To complete the form, first have it signed by the department head from the department that you are declaring, next return it to your current major for signature and finally the form must be submitted to the Registrar’s office. |
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Q. Where do I find a copy of the VSU Final Exam Schedule? A. The VSU Final Exam Schedule can be obtained from the Registrar's web site. Also, you can obtain a copy from your advisor or from the Mathematics & Computer Science Office, HM 213S. |
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Q. What is considered to be a full-time/part-time/half-time credit load? A. An undergraduate student is considered to be full time if they are registered for l2-18 credit hours. A part time undergraduate student is registered for fewer than 12 credit hours. A half time undergraduate student must be registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours. |
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Q. What are the guidelines for taking courses at other institutions? A. You must obtain a course description of the course you wish to take from the other institution and submit it along with a Concurrent Registration Approval Request Form, which can be found on the Registrar's web site, to the Mathematics & Computer Science Department Chairperson, Dr. Dawit Haile and to the Dean of the School of EST, Dr. Pamela Leigh-Mack for approval and signature. |
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Q. Can I test out of any courses? A. VSU offers a limited number of departmental exams for credit that will permit you to test out of certain courses. For more information contact Dr. Dawit Haile at dhaile@vsu.edu. |
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Q. What are "holds" on my record and how do I get them lifted? A. Holds on your record can be but are not limited to academic holds, financial holds, library fines or parking fines. When you have a "hold" on your record you are not able to adjust your schedule in any way. In order to have the hold removed, you will need to contact the appropriate office or department such as the Registrar’s office, the Financial Aid Office, the Library or the Cashier’s Office. |
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Q. Where can I find out what courses fulfill General Education Requirements? A. To obtain the list of courses that fulfill the General Education Requirements, please visit your advisor. Or visit http://sest.vsu.edu/mathcs/ABET. |
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Q. I have a learning disability, how do I get help? A. If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your performance in your classes, please privately inform the teachers and your advisor. And also contact the VSU Office of Disabled Students Services at (804)-524-5061. |
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Q. Where can I get help if I am having trouble with a Math or Computer Science class or I just need to complete my homework?
A. Computer Labs – Windows –HM Room 22E, Linux & Sun- HM Room 20E, Mac-HM Room 8S, UNIX-HM Room 101S. Tutoring and Recitation sessions are held in HM Room 7S. The Tutoring and Recitation schedule is posted in many areas of the Mathematics & Computer Science Department. The Student Lounge is located in HM – Room 1S. |
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Q. How do I find out what my grades are? A. Midterm and final grades are posted to Banner. Use your V# and pin# to obtain your grade information. If you fail a course, you must inform your advisor immediately. Your neglect to do so can cost you a delay in your graduation. |
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Q. I need information about the Mathematics Placement Exam. How do I find it? A. All incoming freshmen students must take the Mathematics Placement exam. The placement exam is a calculator-based test and requires the use of a graphing calculator which you will need to bring with you to the exam. You will also need a #2 lead pencil. There is a sample math practice test located at http://www.vsu.edu/include/Algebra-Placement-sample.pdf and dates for the Math Placement test are located at Math Placement Exam. |
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Q. I want to take a credit overload. How do I get permission? A. To obtain permission for a credit overload you must contact the Student Academic Affairs office of the school or college of your major and complete the Schedule Overload Authorization form found on the Registrar's web site. If approved, you will need to take the appropriate paperwork to the Registrar’s Office. |
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Q. I received an incomplete from my professor. What can I do now? A. If you received a grade of incomplete (I) in a class, you will need to contact your professor and both of you must write and sign a contract that determines what you need to do to make up the incomplete work. You must complete all the required work within one year. Grades of incomplete are changed to a grade of F if the final grade is not submitted by the professor. |
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Q. How do I find out about Internship opportunities? A. The Mathematics & Computer Science Department maintains a bulletin board with flyers advertising internship opportunities beside the elevator on the second floor of the Hunter McDaniel building across the hall from HM Room 210S. There is also a notebook of application forms and information sheets on internship opportunities in HM room 213S, the Mathematics & Computer Science Office. Check the bulletin board and the notebook frequently as many internship opportunities have requirements and deadlines that you will not want to miss. |
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Q. What are some active Student Organizations in the Mathematics & Computer Science department? A. The Department of Mathematics & Computer Science sponsors five student organizations:
The Mathematics Club and the MAA are open to all who are interested in mathematics. KME and UPE are open to all students who satisfy the membership criteria. |
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Please contact your advisor for any other questions that are not listed here. |