CS Knowledge Assessment

The Department of Computer Science at Michigan Tech has an introductory course sequence which is CS 1121, Introduction to Programming 1, taken the first semester, and CS 1122, Introduction to Programming 2, taken the second semester. The courses are taught in Java and they assume no prior experience writing computer programs. 

If you have some programming knowledge and experience (e.g., Java, Python or C++, etc.), you might find the introductory courses too easy.  We have an accelerated introductory course that might be a better fit for you.  CS 1131 covers the material that the two course introductory sequence covers but in one semester rather than two.

We have developed a CS Knowledge Assessment.  This is a series of questions designed to help us place you in the course that best fits your unique combination of experience and knowledge.  The assessment is supported by an online course that can be used to refresh your knowledge of computer science if some time has passed since your last programming experience.

All First Year students in Computer Science, Software Engineering and Computer Engineering will take a CS Knowledge Assessment.

  • There is no way to fail the assessment. The goal is to place you in the most appropriate course based on your knowledge, either CS 1121 or CS 1131.
  • Everyone takes the assessment regardless of previous experience.  If you have no prior computing experience, there will be a stopping point midway through the assessment.
  • If you have AP scores or transfer credit for CS 1121, you will be enrolled in CS 1122. However, after taking the assessment, you can request enrollment in CS 1131 if you would prefer that over CS 1122. Contact Leo Ureel if you have questions.

The assessment will be offered online to Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Computer Engineering students who are starting in the Fall.

Non-CS, non-Computer Engineering, and transfer students may also take the assessment.  Contact Leo Ureel at the email address ureel@mtu.edu to gain access to the assessment.

If you have any questions about the assessment or the deadline, please contact Meara Pellar-Kosba.

CS Knowledge Assessment