Computing-B.S. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Provided here are some frequently asked questions about the changes to the Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. limited enrollment program entry requirements effective Fall 2024 and later.
The University designates certain majors as Limited Enrollment Programs (LEPs) to try to match student demand to the faculty, advising and instructional resources of that major. LEP majors have more limited capacity than other majors on the campus. Students who apply to LEP majors when they enter the University are reviewed for direct admission to an LEP major. Current UMD students who were not directly admitted may apply to transfer internally to that major after they meet the appropriate Gateway courses and other requirements for that LEP.
Can I still take Computer Science (CMSC) courses even if I am not an Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. major
Gateway courses (CMSC131, 132, 141, 142) will continue to be open to all students on a space available basis who meet the pre/co-requisites. Students who are not majors or minors may enroll in CMSC courses at the 200-level and above on a space available basis. For more information on enrolling in CMSC courses as a non-major or minor, please review information on non-major permissions.
Can I still take Immersive Media Design courses even if I am not an Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. major
IMDM101 and IMDM127 are open to all students regardless of major. Non-major students may enroll in IMDM150 and above on a space available basis. Please email imd@umd.edu if you are interested in taking an IMDM course as a non-major. Other courses required for the program within the Departments of Computer Science or Art may have different requisites. Students are encouraged to check the Schedule of Classes.
Can I add Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. as a double major or dual degree if I am currently pursuing Computer Science as a major?
Students pursuing Computer Science may add Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. as a double major. Students who are not currently declared Computer Science should refer to the admissions guidelines for the major.
If I am pursuing Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. can I add a Computer Science minor?
Students pursuing the Immersive Media Design: Computing are not eligible for the Computer Science minor.
If I am pursuing Immersive Media Design: Emerging Creatives-B.A. can I add a Computer Science minor?
Students pursuing Immersive Media Design: Emerging Creatives may add Computer Science as a minor. Students must meet all gateway requirements (course grades and GPA) for the program. Admission to the minor is not selective. For more information about the CS Minor, please visit their webpage.
I am hoping to pursue Immersive Media Design: Emerging Creatives-B.A., do these changes apply to me?
Students who are planning to pursue Immersive Media Design: Emerging Creatives-B.A., will not be impacted by the changes to the Immersive Media Design: Computing gateway requirements. The requirements for admission will remain the same.
I am a current Letters and Sciences student who matriculated to the University of Maryland prior to Fall 2024. I intend to major in Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S.; will the changes to the gateway requirements for internal transfer students apply to me?
Students who matriculated to UMD prior to Fall 2024 will apply under the previous LEP guidelines and gateway entrance requirements.
I am returning to the University after time away and wish to major in Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S.; which requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculated to the University in Fall 2024 or later will follow the LEP guidelines. Students who matriculated to the University prior to Fall 2024 will follow these LEP guidelines.
I matriculated at the University prior to Fall 2024. Is there a deadline for me to apply to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. under the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024?
Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2024 who wish to change their major to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. will need to apply by Fall 2028. Starting in Fall 2028, all students will fall under the LEP guidelines for students matriculating in Fall 2024 or later.
I was accepted to a major other than Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. for the Fall 2023 term and deferred admission to Fall 2024. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who defer admission will follow the Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. requirements at the time of their matriculation. Students who matriculate at the University in Fall 2024 or later should refer to these LEP guidelines.
I am a freshman starting at UMD in Fall 2024 and I completed coursework while I was in high school. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculate at UMD as freshmen in Fall 2024 or later must follow the LEP guidelines for students who matriculate in Fall 2024 or later, regardless of whether they completed transferable coursework, participated in early college programs, and/or participated in dual enrollment programs.
I am a high school senior applying for Fall 2024 admission to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S.. What should I do if I am admitted to the University but not to the major? Can I transfer to the major at a later time?
If you are admitted to the University of Maryland but were not directly admitted to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. you will be placed in Letters and Sciences. During this time, you will complete the gateway requirements (lep.umd.edu) for the major and apply during the semester in which you complete your final gateway requirement. The application is available on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions LEP page.
I am an incoming freshman or transfer student who applied to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. for Fall 2024 but was admitted to Letters and Sciences. Can I declare a different major before my first semester?
Students interested in declaring a non-LEP major may request a major change via email through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students who wish to switch to a different LEP major should review the LEP website (lep.umd.edu) for major specific requirements. Most LEP’s will require a student to complete at least a semester at the University and the gateway requirements for that major before eligibility to declare.
I am currently enrolled at a Maryland Community College or 4-year University System of Maryland (USM) school and am applying to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. as an external transfer student for Fall 2024 admission. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students who matriculated to a Maryland Community College or 4-year USM school prior to Fall 2024 should refer to these LEP guidelines.
I am currently enrolled at a Community College of 4-year school outside the Maryland Association of Community College and USM, and will be applying to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. as an external transfer student for Fall 2024 admission. Which set of requirements apply to me?
Students applying as external transfer from school outside of Maryland public community colleges and universities will follow the LEP guidelines for students who matriculate in Fall 2024 or later.
I am planning to enroll at another institution (community college or 4-year school) beginning in Fall 2024 and plan to apply to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. at UMD as an external transfer at a later time. Which set of requirements apply to me? What should I do if I am admitted to the University but not the major? Can I transfer to the major at a later time?
Students who matriculate to a community college or other institution in Fall 2024 or later and plan to transfer to UMD should refer to these LEP guidelines. External transfer students who have completed all gateway requirements at the time of admission will be directly admitted to the major.
If you are admitted to the University of Maryland but were not directly admitted to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. you will be placed in Letters and Sciences. During this time, you will complete the gateway requirements (lep.umd.edu) for the major and apply during the semester in which you complete your final gateway requirement. The application is available on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions LEP page.
I am applying for Fall 2024 admission directly to Immersive Media Design: Computing-B.S. as an external transfer student. However, my Computer Science courses were not approved for equivalent credit (CMSC131, and CMSC132). What should I do?
Freshmen and transfer students with prior learning experience in Computer Science may take up to four exemption exams to determine their appropriate placement in the curriculum.
Whom can I contact if I have additional questions?
You are encouraged to email imd@umd.edu with any questions or concerns you may have.