Scheduling Classes
This page describes how to schedule classes, and gives a bit of
advice for incoming freshmen on what courses to take.
Steps for Registration
Before you begin, make sure you are admitted to Butler and have
removed all holds on your registration (such as for late payment or
incomplete medical forms).
To schedule your classes, you must do the following:
- Pick up a copy of the Schedule of Day and Evening
Classes. These are normally published about half-way through
the preceding semester. You can find course information on the Registration and
Records website.
-
- Make an appointment to see your advisor. Advisors will post
sign-up sheets on their doors; simply write your name in the time
slot most convenient for you, but after your
earliest approved registration time.
-
The very first time you register,
the Learning Resource Center normally makes these arrangements for
you. After the first semester, you will receive a notice from
Registration and Records in email giving your earliest registration
time. Note that advisors are happy to discuss your schedule and
your progress at any time, and not just during registration.
- Work out a schedule on your own before seeing your advisor. Use
the information on this web site to help you figure out what
courses would be good to take. You might also seek the advice of
other students in the department. We've given some advice
below.
- See your advisor. If your advisor uses PeopleSoft, and none of
your classes were full, this is your last step. If not, you will
have forms to turn in to Registration and Records.
- If you want to make changes to your schedule after you have
registered, see your advisor for a drop/add form. You need to fill
in this form, have your advisor sign the form (possibly your
instructor and Dean too, depending on the date), and then turn it
in to Registration and Records.
Be careful to note the deadlines for drop/add and so forth in
the Schedule.
Forms
Drop/Add Form: This form is required to make
changes after the last date for dropping or adding a course. You
may need the instructor's signature, your advisor's signature, and
the dean's signature. If adding a full or unpublished class, you
may also need a blue card.
Blue Card: This magical form gets you into
closed or unpublished courses like internships and independent
study. They require the signatures of your advisor and the
department head for the course you are adding. Note that department
heads only sign blue cards if they feel they can squeeze you in;
much of the time this is not possible.
After all signatures are obtained, all forms are turned in to
the Registration and Records office.
Responsibility
Remember that you are entirely responsible for your schedule.
Advisors and friends can help you make choices, but only you will
take the courses and do the work in the classes on your schedule.
If a mix-up is made in choosing courses, you are the only one who
might have to stay in school an extra semester.
Plan Ahead!
With that in mind, it is a good idea to plan your courses for
all four years (or five for EDDP students). You will probably
deviate from such a plan, but it is the best way to guarantee that
every graduation requirement is satisfied. To help with this, we
have a suggested 4-Year Course Plan for completing the CS
major, and a summary of all graduation requirements.
Advice for Freshmen
Most new students will want to take an English course, a Foreign
Language course (these are easier the less you've forgotten), and a
Math course in addition to computer science courses.
Math Placement
The choice of mathematics and computer science courses will be
determined by your score on the Math placement exam. If your ACT or
SAT score in mathematics is high enough, you may be exempt from
this exam.
- If you do well on the exam, or are exempt, you should take
CS151, the standard first CS course, and MA106 Calculus 1. (If you
wish, MA106 can safely be postponed to the Spring semester.)
- If you did not do well on the exam, you should take MA102, and
postpone CS151 and MA106 until the Spring.
Programming
If you have little or no programming background, you might also
want to take CS142. If you know any programming language up through
loops, arrays, and functions, you do not need this course. CS142
and CS151 can be taken concurrently. CS142 does require proficiency
in algebra; if your Math placement score is very low and you must
take MA101, enroll in MA102 instead of MA101, but postpone CS142
until the Spring semester.
English
For English, you might take EN101 if you are a non-native
English speaker or need some review; you will also be enrolled in
CC101. Based upon test scores in English, you might skip to
CC102.
Foreign Language
The language course you would take depends on how well you did
on the placement exam. Most students are able to test out of at
least one semester.
Other Courses
To round out your schedule, you may want one or two more
courses. Typically, you should either pick courses that fulfill
Core requirements, or courses in a second major or minor you are
interested in. Many students who major in computer science like to
add a minor in Business; if this is the case for you, you might
take MG111, AC103, and/or MS165.
Many students ask if they should take speech (SH198) and/or PE
(PE101, PE102) in their first semester. The answer is that these
courses need to be completed by the time you graduate, but there is
no rush. However, if you are a student-athlete you should
definitely take PE102 (there is a section for intercollegiate
athletes and marching band members).
If you are a dual-degree engineering student, then your courses
are already mapped out for you for the most part, making your
decisions easier.