CS173

Welcome to the Fall 2018 web page for CS173

Prerequisite checking

To take this course, you must have completed Calculus I (Math 220 or 221) and CS 125 or ECE 220. In August, we will check everyone's background. Around the start of classes, we will remove anyone who does not have the prerequisites. If credit for these courses is not already visible on your transcript, e.g. because you have incoming transfer credit, please email the details to the academic office (undergrad@cs.illinois.edu).

In particular, this course assumes that you have significant practice with recursion, have worked with basic data structures (e.g. linked lists, trees or graphs), and have seen simple examples of big-O algorithm analysis. Students without this background sometimes think they are ok towards the start of the term, but get into trouble midway through the course.

You cannot satisfy the programming requriement using AP CS, CS 101/103/105, and/or ECE 120. These courses do not cover some of the critical background material.
You may not take a prerequisite course (e.g. CS 125 or ECE 220) concurrently with CS 173. CS 173 uses certain critical material before these courses cover it.
Having taken much of a prerequisite course (e.g. Calc I) in high school does not change this rule. If you cannot place out of the course at U. Illinois, that means you don't have the background to take CS 173.
You may satisfy the intro programming requirement by passing the CS 125 proficiency exam (in C++ or Java), at the start of term.
It is also sufficient if you pass the ECE 220 proficiency exam at the start of fall term. (The ECE department gives this only by special arrangement, for students with substantial C/assembler background.)
We'll work with you if you have incoming transfer credit (e.g. from a summer course) or if you are an exchange student with equivalent courses at your home institution. Fill out the special situation form above. Contact us if you're not sure whether your background is equivalent.
If you have substantial programming experience in a language other than C++ or Java, i.e. including material similar to the later parts of CS 125, fill out the special situation form above. We'll work with you to figure out if your background is sufficient.

Notice that if you have informal background in C++ or Java, but no actual credit, you must take the CS 125 proficiency exam to satisfy the prerequisite.

If you need to take the proficiency exam, have a backup plan in case you don't pass. Similarly have a backup plan if you are depending on informal background to get in.

Proficiency Exam

Students with significant programming background in C++ or Java but no formal credit should take the CS 125 proficiency exam given at the start of term. Make sure you have a backup plan (e.g. register for CS 125) in case you don't pass.

Detailed information about prerequisite enforcement will be posted closer to the start of term. This will include instructions for reporting unusual situations such as exchange students, incoming transfer, substantial background in a language other than C++ or Java.