Before You Register!

CSE Pre-Majors
New CSE Majorsstudents playing 'soccer'
CSE Majors
Non-Majors
Double Majors

CSE Pre-majors

If you’re planning to apply to CSE, your first goal is to complete the prerequisites (with strong grades, of course!) while working on general requirements and exploring related majors. Please review our full degree requirements and our admissions application guidelines.

New CSE Majors

Welcome to CSE! You will be able to register for CSE courses after you are coded as a CS or CE major, as outlined on the orientation page. We do not require new students to take a CSE course their first quarter in the major; however, beginning your second quarter, our CSE Satisfactory Progress Policy requires at least one CSE course per quarter.   Please consider the following recommended classes if you choose to take a CSE course in your first-quarter:

  • CSE 390: System and Software Tools:  A 1-credit seminar introducing important tools for future CSE courses. You should take this with or before CSE 351. Take it soon! Note that since this is a seminar, the recommended maximum of two CSE courses per quarter does not apply (meaning you may take this plus two full CSE courses).
  • CSE 311: Foundations I:  CSE 311 is a prerequisite for CSE 312 (Foundations of Computing II) and CSE 332 (Data Abstractions). This is a great class to take first.
  • CSE 331: Software Design and Implementation:  Some students prefer to take this their second or third quarter in the major because it involves a heavy workload.
  • CSE 351: Hardware/Software Interface:  If you think you may focus on hardware, this is a good class to take early. You should be familiar with CSE 390 course information or plan to take it concurrently.
  • CSE 341: Programming Languages:  341 is optional for both CS and CE, but it's an excellent course. We expect that most students will take this class, which counts toward the CSE "Core" electives. Note: Not offered every quarter.

Computer Engineering majors may also consider:

CSE Majors

Links for Planning your CSE Curriculum

Spring 2010 Curriculum Transition

If you became a CSE major in winter quarter 2010 or earlier, please reference the CSE Degree Requirements page for information on former and ‘transition’ requirements.

Registering for Full CSE Courses

CSE advisors manage overload requests for 300- and 400-level majors classes (i.e., those open only to CS or CE majors) during the first week of the quarter.  Here are actions you can take if desired classes are full:

  1. Attempt to register for the full course on MyUW. This will not put you on a wait list, but it does tell us how many people attempted to get into a course and were denied admission due to space.
  2. Continue watching the time schedule for an open space. Also consider other courses you can take and register for them.
  3. If you cannot enroll before the start of the quarter, plan to attend class. During the first few days of the quarter, the instructor will make a paper sign-in sheet available to students who still need to register. At the end of the first week, instructors will give out add codes if there is room in the course to overload.
  4. If you have trouble registering due to prerequisites, contact an advisor for assistance.

With respect to non-CSE courses, the Gateway Center for Undergrad Advising provides tips and specific departmental information for getting into closed courses. For most courses, checking the time schedule for openings is your best chance of getting a space.

Non-Majors

For UW students who are not CSE majors:  To enroll in computer science or computer engineering classes, see Non-Major Courses to identify available options.

For those not currently enrolled in the UW (viz., non-matriculated students):  You need to petition to take a majors-only CSE course. Your petition must be approved before the department will sign off on your registration forms. Petitions open about three weeks before the quarter begins and close two days prior to the start of classes.

Double Majors

CSE encourages students with multiple interests to consider double majoring. To help double majors manage their multiple sets of requirements, the department approves exceptions to standard CSE degree requirements and offers suggestions for some of the most common second majors chosen by our students. Please contact your advisor for additional information.

Last changed Tue, 2012-08-07 13:54