Program Overview

Computing Exploration

Overview

The Computing Exploration program at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) allows students to explore various fields of computer science before choosing a major. This program provides students with the opportunity to gain an overview of the computing field while taking the time to decide which major best meets their personal and professional aspirations.

Plan of Study

Students may stay in the exploration option for up to two semesters (one academic year). Each student has an assigned academic advisor who provides guidance on the requirements of each major, course selection, minors, and career options. All courses taken in the exploration option are accepted by the seven computing majors; all credits earned are applicable to a student’s chosen major and maintain the student’s track toward graduation.

Curriculum

The computing exploration option offers students the opportunity to explore the field of computing before declaring a specific major. All students in this undeclared major take a one-credit course, Computing Exploration Seminar, which provides an overview of the seven computing majors. Students learn about the course of study in each program and career opportunities in each field. Through the seminar and courses, they are introduced to the faculty, students, and laboratory facilities in each program.

While in the computing exploration option, each student will take a two-course sequence in both programming and mathematics, appropriate for all degrees. An academic advisor will consult one-on-one to ensure that each student stays on track. Students may choose a major at the end of the fall or spring semester while in the exploration program – all course work taken while in the computing exploration option will be applied to the new program of study.

Featured Work and Profiles

• Finding Passion Through Exploration: Student Embraces Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in NMID
• From Computing Exploration to Microsoft

Curriculum for Computing Exploration

Typical Course Sequence

• CINT-101: Computing Exploration Seminar (1 credit hour)
• ISTE-140: Web and Mobile (3 credit hours)
• MATH-181: Calculus I (4 credit hours)
• MATH-182: Calculus II (4 credit hours)
• MATH-190: Discrete Mathematics for Computing (3 credit hours)
• GCIS-123: Software Development and Problem Solving I (4 credit hours)
• GCIS-124: Software Development and Problem Solving II (4 credit hours)
• YOPS-10: RIT 365: RIT Connections (0 credit hours)
• General Education-First Year Writing (WI) (3 credit hours)
• General Education-Elective (3 credit hours)
• Choose one of the following:
  • CSEC-140: Introduction to CyberSecurity
  • NMDE-111: New Media Design Digital Survey I
  • SWEN-250: Personal Software Engineering
• Wellness Education* (0 credit hours)

Admissions and Financial Aid

First-Year Admission

A strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. This includes:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of social studies and/or history
• 4 years of mathematics is required and must include algebra, geometry, algebra 2/trigonometry, and pre-calculus. Calculus is preferred.
• 2-3 years of science is required and must include chemistry or physics; both are preferred.
• Computing electives are preferred.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid. RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.