Registration Guide: Physics & Computer Science

Calculus Course: Physics & Computer Science majors are required to complete two levels of calculus: CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 and CAS MA 124 Calculus 2. As your first course, you should choose the appropriate level calculus course. The course you choose depends on AP, IB, or other advanced credit you already have as well as the level you wish to take. You should select one course based on the following:

• If you have no advanced credit for calculus, take CAS MA 123 Calculus 1.
• If you have advanced credit that fulfills CAS MA 123, take the next course in the sequence, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2.

If you have potential advanced credit in calculus, but don’t have the scores back yet, register with cautious optimism. If you feel confident you did well on the exams, register as if you will receive the corresponding credit. Once you know your scores, you can revise your schedule, if need be.

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Physics Course: The level you choose will depend on any external calculus credit you already have as well as the level you wish to take. You should select one course based on the following:

• CAS PY 251 Principles of Physics 1 (offered fall semester) – PY 251 requires a strong foundation in calculus. CAS MA 123 is a pre-requisite and CAS MA 124 is a co-requisite.
  • If you have CAS MA 123 credit through APs/IBs/etc., you should plan to take PY 251. If you do not have CAS MA 123 credit, then please notify your advisor to discuss the best plan of action.
  • Please note: If you already have advanced credit for Physics 1 (PY 105 or PY 211) and/or Physics 2 (PY 106 or PY 212), you still need to plan for PY 251.

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• CAS PY 211 General Physics 1 (offered either semester) – PY 211 is a calculus-based introduction to the basic physics principles, and it is ideal for many science and engineering majors. CAS MA 123 is a pre-requisite and CAS MA 124 is a co-requisite.
  • If you do not have advanced placement or external credit equivalent to MA 123, you may be able to take PY 211 but you will need the instructor’s permission to do so. Please register for PY 211 and then email your advisor to explain your experience with Calculus – they can help connect you with the Physics department to petition for instructor permission.

Computer Science Course: 

• If do not have AP, IB, or other advanced credit, take CAS CS 111 Introduction to Computer Science 1. This course is a rigorous introduction that develops computational problem-solving skills by programming in the Python language, and exposes students to a variety of other topics from computer science and its applications.
• If you have advanced for CAS CS 111 you should instead register for CAS CS 112 Introduction to Computer Science 2. CS 112 covers advanced programming techniques and data structures. Topics include recursion, algorithm analysis, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, tables, searching, and sorting.
• If you have advanced credit for CAS CS 111 and CS 112, you should register for CAS CS 131 Combinatoric Structures. CS 131 covers representation, analysis, techniques, and principles for manipulation of basic combinatoric structures used in computer science. Rigorous reasoning is emphasized.

CAS Language Course: CAS students must exhibit proficiency through the fourth-semester level of a language other than English. If you have not already done so, please review the full language policy here.

If you plan to fulfill this language requirement through coursework at BU, then your next course should be a language course:

• If you’re new to the language, you’ll start with the first-semester level (usually coded as 111 – for example, Spanish 1 is CAS LS 111, Arabic 1 is CAS LY 111, etc.). 
• If you have previously studied the language, you will need to take a placement test to determine what level to start with (for instance, CAS LS 112 Spanish 2, CAS LY 211 Arabic 3, CAS LK 212 Korean 4, etc.). Please review the CAS Language Requirement page for detailed information about placement tests and appropriate levels.

If you’ll fulfill the language requirement through advanced credit (such as AP/IB scores) or through native proficiency of another language, you have fulfilled your language requirement and can instead take a course of interest (as seen below).

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement.

Your fourth course should be a writing course:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: Ancient Worlds: (offered fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – fulfills Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

CAS PY 195: Freshman Seminar for Physicists (offered fall only, 1 unit) – Optional

Seminar where freshman physics majors learn successful strategies for studying physics and become familiar with BU’s policies, procedures, resources, and extracurricular activities. Exploration of research and career opportunities through invited speakers, book discussions, and laboratory tours.

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First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (1 unit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit, low stress, non-academic class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. FY101 helps you get a head start on making connections at BU. Each section is taught by a student peer mentor and a staff instructor.

• FY101 classes are small and are for new students only, so they provide a great way to get to know other first-years!
• Your peer mentor and instructor will provide resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience and help you get ahead in your first semester here.
• FY101 includes free, optional trips around Boston.
• There are specialty sections based on major and identity (e.g., Math/Computer Science, Natural Sciences, First Generation, etc ) so be sure to choose the one that’s right for you! 

If you are interested in the Core Curriculum, we recommend registering for CAS CC 101 for your writing course (see above in Course #4). There are additional natural science Core courses offered; however, we do not typically recommend these for natural science majors who are already taking a lab course this semester. If you have questions about completing additional Core courses beyond CAS CC 101, please talk about this with your academic advisor!

Find out more about the Core Curriculum, the Hub, and registration here.