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Letter to Prospective Computer Science Majors

As the chairman of the Department of Computer Science, I am pleased that you are considering a major in Computer Science. If you have read the material on this website, you know that both of these majors equip students to design and build complex software systems. This work demands significant mathematical aptitude. In order to progress successfully through these majors a student must be proficient in mathematics at the pre-calculus level.

When you begin your registration process, you must demonstrate that you are ready for Computer Science I. You can do this in one of the following ways:

  • You have taken Ma 103, Ma 105, or Ma 200 at BJU
  • You have transfer credit for one of these classes from another college
  • Your ACT Math score is 26 or higher

If you fall into any of these categories, congratulations-you qualify to enroll in Computer Science I.

Many students do not qualify initially, but don't panic. We offer a math placement test you can take before you come to see if you qualify to enroll in Computer Science I. The math placement test covers covers topics through advanced algebra. It is fairly challenging, and you may wish to review material from your Algebra II and Advanced Mathematics high school courses and practice with our math placement test sample questions to help you prepare. Note that if you don't pass the placement test, you may have to take one or two semesters of mathematics coursework before enrolling in your first programming class.

Computer Science is a challenging and rewarding field of study. I hope you are excited about joining our department; we are looking forward to meeting you! If you have any questions, I invite you to contact me or Dr. Stephen Schaub (sschaub@bju.edu).

Jim Knisely
Chairman, Department of Computer Science
Bob Jones University
jknisely@bju.edu