Undergraduate Admissions

Prospective Students FAQ

What kind of computer equipment is available at RPI?

The computing environment at Rensselaer is among the best in the country. All Rensselaer undergraduates are required to own laptop computers. There are numerous public computing labs which give students 24 hour a day access to laptop ports, PCs, Macs, and Unix workstations from Silicon Graphics, Sun, and IBM. In addition, the campus has many computers with specialized architectures such as multiprocessor computers, high resolution graphics workstations, and computers for research in computer vision and other aspects of artificial intelligence. The entire campus, including all dormitory rooms, is networked to allow easy access to any computer as well as to the Internet and the World Wide Web, and wireless access is available in many campus buildings.

What languages will I learn?

Most programming in lower level computer science courses is done in C++. In other courses, you might learn Java, Assembler, Scheme, Perl, or PHP. However, the study of Computer Science is a lot more than just learning languages. In most of your courses, learning a new programming language will be incidental to the content of the course.

How does Computer Science differ from Computer Engineering?

Computer Science is primarily the study of what can be accomplished by computers and how to accomplish it efficiently. In addition to learning good programming practices, students are exposed to applied areas such as robotics, databases, programming language design, and operating systems. Computer Engineering is more concerned with the design of computer hardware and circuit design. Computer Engineers also take traditional engineering courses such as Chemistry of Materials and Engineering Design. Regardless of your choice of major, you can take courses in either program; engineering students can take Computer Science courses, and Computer Science majors can take engineering courses.

How does computer science differ from Information Technology (IT)?

The IT major is a broader degree, and involves the use of computers and computing to solve problems in business and science. IT majors take the CS-I and CS-II, but the key feature of the program is that they choose a concentration in an area outside Computer Science. There are about 18 choices for a concentration.

I have no programming background at all. Will I be behind?

No. Our first course, Computer Science I, assumes no prior programming experience.

I have a lot of programming background. Can I skip Computer Science I?

Yes. CS I is not a required course for the CS major. Students with sufficient prior programming experience may go directly into CS II. .

I have taken the equivalent of CS-I at another college. Can I transfer the credits?

Yes. You need to complete a credit transfer form that you can get from the registrar. A course will be considered to be equivalent to CS-I if it is an introductory programming course using C, C++, or Java.

What do I need to get AP credit in Computer Science?

If you get a score of 5 on the A test or 4 or 5 on the AB test, you get credit for CSCI-1100 Computer Science I. If you get a score of 5 on the AB test, you get credit for both CS-I and CS-II.

Can I have a dual major?

Yes, you are permitted to have a dual major between any two majors at Rensselaer. Dual majors with Management, Mathematics, Philosophy, Computer Engineering, or Electronic Media Arts & Communication are particularly popular. You need to meet all of the requirements of both degrees, but you can double count courses. The large number of free electives in the Computer Science program means that it is possible to complete dual majors with most departments other than engineering in 128 credits. The dual major with Computer Engineering can be done in 134 credits.

Can students get involved in research?

Most Rensselaer faculty have an active research program, and participation in research by undergraduates is encouraged. Rensselaer has a program to support undergraduate research for either credit or salary. Among the research areas available to Computer Science majors are computer vision, database systems, distributed systems, grid computing, scientific computation, software tool development, robotics, and verification of the correctness of programs.

Are there certification programs?

In general, our courses do not involve certification. However, we offer several courses on networking which use Cisco routers and can lead to Cisco CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, and Security certifications.

Are there part time jobs available to undergraduates?

Yes, many departments on campus need part time computer help. Some students work in the computer center as consultants. There is an incubator center on campus which provides office space and other support for small companies started by RPI faculty staff and students, and these companies always have lots of positions for good software development people.

Are there co-op opportunities for Computer Science majors?

There are many positions available for Computer Science majors in the co-op program. Students typically work for a semester and a summer with a large firm such as IBM, GE, or Microsoft assisting in their software development. This is a popular program because, in addition to earning money, it allows students to apply the knowledge that they have acquired in the classroom to "real world" problems. Students can get assistance in finding co-op positions through the Co-op Office of the Career Development Center.

What is the job market like for Computer Science majors?

At the moment, the job market is strong for computer science majors. Last year's graduating computer science majors had average starting salaries of nearly $60,000.

Where do Computer Science majors go after they graduate?

Computer Science majors work for a wide variety of companies. Some work for the traditional large high tech companies that you would expect, like Microsoft, IBM, or GE. Others work for the large consulting, aerospace, and finance companies. Other graduates work for smaller firms, such as MapInfo, a firm in the RPI Tech Park that develops mapping and GIS software. Most graduates work in some sort of software development, but some become system administrators or network managers. Many of the best students go on to graduate school in Computer Science.

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