Information and Form for 2nd BS in Computer Science Applicants

A basic level of mathematics is required for entry into the BS CS. You need to pass a math placement test at the level of College Algebra with Trigonometry (at MIU this course is called “Functions and Graphs 2”).If you like, you can take a preliminary placement test online at home and then sign up for a study module to use to try to improve your score before you come to MIU. If you’re interested in doing so, ask your admissions counselor for instructions.

When you arrive at MIU, you will take a proctored math placement test using the same software, which will determine your official math placement.

If you do not place at the level required, you will need to take some of the following courses depending on where you place in the sequence: Basic Math, Elementary Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Functions and Graphs 1, and Functions and Graphs 2. These courses need to be taken and passed before you can begin courses in the BS CS. This could take one or even two semesters, depending on where you place.

• Math courses:
  • If you took courses equivalent to our Calculus 1 and/or Calculus 2 (single-variable differentiation and integration) during your previous degree with a grade of B or above and the degree was awarded at most 3 years ago, then you do not need to take the above placement test and can waive the courses Calculus 1 and/or Calculus 2.
  • If you took calculus courses during your previous degree but the grade was less than B or your degree was awarded more than 3 years ago, you are welcome to take our calculus placement tests for either or both Calculus 1 and 2. Passing those placement tests allows you to waive Calculus 1 or both Calculus 1 and 2.
  • If you took a course elsewhere equivalent to our Discrete Mathematics course at most three years ago with a grade of at least B, then you can waive Discrete Mathematics.
• Computer Science Courses: if you have taken CS courses during your previous degree with grade B or above and if the degree was awarded at most three years ago, and if you have a good knowledge of Java, then some of the CS courses of the BS CS may be waived.
• Transcripts: In order to receive credit or waive courses for the college or university work you have already done, you must have original, official copies of your transcripts sent to us from the college or university itself. Unless we receive these official documents, no transfer credit will be granted and no courses will be waived. Please have your transcripts sent to this address:
  Maharishi University; Office of Admissions; 1000 North 4th Street; Fairfield, IA 52557

Acceptance into MIU at the undergraduate level does not mean acceptance into the BS CS. A basic level of achievement in the first few computer science courses you take is required for acceptance into the BS CS. In fact, it is the level you achieve in these first few computer science courses that will determine whether you can enter the MS CS without completing the BS CS. Here is how this works. Once you have completed the courses CS201 Procedural Programming, CS203 Object-Oriented Programming,  CS221 Data Structures, and CS390 Fundamental Programming Practices, and also the three mathematics courses Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Discrete Math, your Grade Point Average for the CS courses (CS GPA) will be calculated. If your CS GPA is 3.3 (B+) or above and your finances are in order, you will be accepted to the MS CS even though you have not completed the BS CS. Note that entry into the MS CS program with Compro loan may require an even higher CS GPA: up to 3.6 may be required.

If you do not achieve 3.3, but have a CS GPA of at least 3.0 (B), you are not accepted to the MS CS, but you are officially accepted to the BS CS and can complete that. If you do not achieve 3.0, but have a CS GPA of at least 2.5, you are not accepted to the BS CS nor to the MS CS, but may switch to the CS Track of the BS MATH and can complete that.

If your CS GPA is lower than 2.5, we advise you to seek a degree in another field, for example in Business Management or Media and Communications. Note that if you enter MIU in the Spring semester, CS105 will not be required, and your CS GPA will be calculated at the end of CS 390, before you have taken the mathematics courses. You are still required to take and pass the math courses before you enter the MS CS, unless you have been notified that you can waive them. Note that if two of the courses Calculus 1, Calculus 2, or Discrete Math have been completed, you may be permitted to enter the MS CS and complete the one remaining course as an extra course during your MS CS. A grade of C – or above will be needed in that mathematics course in order to be awarded the MS CS.

You are only permitted to enter the MS CS in August or February. If you finish your requirements for entry into the MS CS before that, you may continue taking courses as a BS CS student, and you may petition to have them waived (without replacement) from the requirements of the MS CS. If you would like to stay on campus until your MS CS begins without taking courses, you can apply to work up to 20 hours a week to cover room and board while remaining on campus, even if you are not a US citizen or green card holder.

The usual schedule for students arriving at MIU in August is as follows:

• STC 508 Exploring Consciousness (August–September)
• MATH 281 Calculus 1 (October)
• MATH 282 Calculus 2 (November)
• MATH 272 Discrete Mathematics (December)
• CS 105 Problem Solving with Computational Thinking (January)
• Choose forest course (February, two 2 weeks)
• CS 201 Procedural Programming (March)
• CS 203 Object Oriented Programming (April)
• CS 221 Data Structures (May)
• CS 390 Fundamental Programming Practices (June)
• Enter MS CS with the following August entry

The usual schedule for students arriving at MIU in February is as follows:

• FOR 500 Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI-1, February, two weeks)
• CS 201 Procedural Programming (March)
• CS 203 Object Oriented Programming (April)
• CS 221 Data Structures (May)
• CS 390 Fundamental Programming Practices (June)
• FOR 500 Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI-2, August, two weeks)
• Choose course (September, usually CS401 Modern Programming Practices)
• MATH 281 Calculus 1 (October)
• MATH 282 Calculus 2 (November)
• MATH 272 Discrete Mathematics (December)
• Enter MS CS with the following February entry

If you need to take elementary pre-calculus courses, you will need at least one extra semester before starting one of these schedules. See Math Placement Testing above for details.

The MS CS usually takes one year after this.

For individual consultations about academic matters and how long you could take to final completion of the BS CS or MS CS, please email the computer science advisor Dr. Anne Dow. She will need to see your transcripts and details of topics covered in courses you want to waive, so please make sure you have sent those to the Office of Admissions.

Students who refuse to learn TM upon arrival at MIU will be dismissed from the university. There are no exceptions to this policy.