This page has answers to the following questions:
The best place to start is with one of the following combinations of half-unit courses:
COMP 101 (Intro to Computers and Computing) introduces broad ideas in the field of computing. COMP 102, 103, and 104 introduce Programming Basics in either JavaScript (102) or Python (103 or 104). The combination is the same as a normal one-unit course. (In fact, we used to offer full-unit courses corresponding to these 3 combinations, each of which met 3 times per week plus a two-hour lab. The time in class and the workload has not changed.)
We particularly recommend the combination if you might want to take additional CS courses later. COMP 101 is required for the CS major and minor, while COMP 102, 103, and 104 all satisfy the prerequisite for COMP 150, which is the prerequisite for all further courses.
Why might you take just one, rather than the recommended combination?
Students whose high school curriculum covered topics in COMP 101 should talk to the department chair about whether they should place into or out of COMP 101.
For purposes of course placement and prerequisites, a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Computer Science A exam is regarded as equivalent to successful completion of COMP 150. For students who place out of COMP 150 and plan to continue in Computer Science, we recommend taking COMP 101 as an extra half-unit during the same term as COMP 210.
A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam is not equivalent to a specific Kalamazoo College course but satisfies the prerequisite for COMP 150. COMP 101 is still required for the major or minor.
Students whose high school curriculum covered topics in COMP 101 should talk to the department chair about whether they should place into or out of COMP 101.
The changes made in 2022 to the introductory courses and course numbers were meant to provide students with more clarity and more flexibility, but this transition time period may lead to some confusion. Hopefully this will help:
That means that if you previously took COMP 105, 107, or 108, you have met the COMP 101 requirement for the major/minor and also the prerequisite requirement for COMP 150. If you previously took COMP 110, you have met the COMP 150 requirement for the major/minor and also the prerequisite requirement for COMP 210 (and any other course that has either COMP 110 or COMP 150 as a prerequisite).
If you are looking at an older catalog, then taking a combination of COMP 101 and any of COMP 102, 103, or 104 will meet the COMP 105/107/108 requirement for the major/minor, and also satisfies the prerequisite for COMP 110/150. Taking COMP 150 will meet any requirements that refer to COMP 110.
In September 2022 we changed the Math cognate requirement for the CS major:
This automatically applies to students who started at K in Fall ’22 or later. If you are in a previous class and want to use a Math class other than Calculus II to satisfy the Math cognate requirement for the CS major, contact Dr. Alyce Brady or Dr. Pam Cutter.
Updated May 2, 2024 by Kristen Eldred Contact InformationMailing address:
Department of Computer Science
Kalamazoo College
1200 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
1131 Academy Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Room: 203 Olds/Upton Building
FAX
269.337.7101