Transferring to 4-year from CC, want to change major

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a student's transition from a community college to a four-year university, specifically changing their major from Computer Science to Modeling & Simulation Engineering. The student seeks guidance on how to navigate this change without adversely affecting their transcript evaluation or extending their time to graduation. Key advice includes consulting both departments, taking classes applicable to both majors, and being prepared for potential additional coursework that may extend their graduation timeline to 4.5 years.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of transfer student processes at universities
  • Familiarity with academic advising and course evaluation
  • Knowledge of major-specific requirements for Modeling & Simulation Engineering
  • Awareness of the implications of changing majors on graduation timelines
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the specific requirements for Modeling & Simulation Engineering at your university
  • Consult with academic advisors from both the Computer Science and Modeling & Simulation departments
  • Identify and enroll in classes that fulfill requirements for both majors
  • Explore career opportunities in Modeling & Simulation Engineering to ensure alignment with personal interests
USEFUL FOR

Students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities, particularly those considering a major change and seeking to optimize their academic path while minimizing delays in graduation.

ellipsis
Messages
158
Reaction score
24
Transferring to 4-year from CC, and I want to change my program of study from computer science to modeling & simulation engineering. I would like to do this while still achieving my bachelor's in a reasonable time-frame.

I have been admitted to the university of my choice, but I have not been to the campus. Orientation for transfer students (for the summer semester) is this month. Who should I talk to for transferring to a different program of study? Will it affect my transcript evaluation, once I finish this semester? I loathe the possibility of repeating courses.

As for my reasons... for a while now, I've not been enthused about work after computer science. It seems a lot of people who go into that field end up as programmers in industry, something I'm actually not too interested in.

That is to say, I love when I'm working on difficult, theoretical, and challenging projects... Not projects where the only difficulty arises from paradoxical customer desires and bureaucratic inefficiency. I don't want to be a programmer who has never used algorithms in their career.

Time is valuable, and I'd like to be doing meaningful work. I'm not sure if that's possible, or more likely, in this field... but I'm willing to try.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Talk to both departments at the university. Chances are you will be fine and nearly all the classes will be transferred. However, you may need to take an additional 2-3 classes, which will force you to take a heavy classload of 1 class per semester for 2-3 semesters or perhaps needing a full extra semester. That means you get out in 4 1/2 years instead of 4. That happens to a lot of college students. Or, tough it out with an extra class, at the risk of academic burn out.

Talk to an advisor, you are in good shape it sounds to me, although I do suggest you take classes this next semester that can apply to either program and then decide which area you want to pursue. You could just find an entirely new field now that you are at a major university that you want to explore.
 
CalcNerd said:
classes this next semester that can apply to either program

I'm already going to go into advanced data algorithms this summer, which is a requirement for both. The notions that I still have time and can 'sit on the fence' for a while is reassuring. Thank you for the advice.
 

Similar threads

Other Is having bad resources from university normal?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
Programs Help on Majors and Graduate Degrees as an Engineering Student
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Courses Should I withdraw from a class?
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
7K
Programs Is a Physics BA a good route for exciting CS/Engineering Work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs I am doing a BME PhD, and hope to transfer to medical physics
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Other Is it too late to pursue physics?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Other Trying to find research opportunities but I am doing something wrong
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Programs Should I be an Information Technology (IT) major?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Take a 5th year to do more research?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Schools Transferring from an Indiana CC to UIUC
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K