Waiver Processes by Class

Computer Science with Applications I & II

This Department of Computer Science programming placement exam covers core programming concepts. Students who are hoping to waive out of one or both of Computer Science with Applications I and II (CAPP 30121 and CAPP 30122) must take this exam. While it is possible to do well enough to place out of both Computer Science with Applications I and Computer Science with Applications II, most students who do well on this placement exam waive CAPP 30121 and get placed into Python Programming (MPCS 51042) or Advanced Programming (MPCS 51100) in lieu of CAPP 30122. You can find previous placement exams here.

Please see details below about replacing a waived CAPP course.

Mathematics for Computer Science and Data Analysis

This placement exam covers linear algebra topics and allows students to waive Mathematics for Computer Science and Data Analysis (CAPP 30271) in the winter quarter of their first year.

Please see details below about replacing a waived CAPP course.

Statistics for Data Analysis

MSCAPP students enroll in Statistics I and Statistics II in the autumn and winter quarters of their first year. These requirements can be fulfilled by Harris courses at the standard or advanced master’s level or the PhD level (more info here).

It is possible to waive one or both of the Statistics courses if a student has a strong background in the subject. Waivers require that a student knows the material for the advanced master’s option for the course: Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis I (PPHA 31202) and/or Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis II (PPHA 31302).

To waive either Advanced Statistics course, students will take a waiver exam prior to registration. The waiver/placement exams for the autumn and winter quarter Core courses will be administered in person in mid-September so that students can get results before registration.

Additionally, in order to ensure that students have the appropriate preparation for Advanced Statistics, students will need to pass a placement exam in order to take that course. This exam may be the same as the waiver exam. Students who wish to take standard Statistics can just enroll directly; no exam is needed.

Please see details below about replacing a waived PPHA course.

Microeconomics for Public Policy

MSCAPP students enroll in Microeconomics I and Microeconomics II in the autumn and winter quarters of their second year. These requirements can be fulfilled by Harris courses at the standard master’s level or the PhD level (more info here).

It is possible to waive one or both of the Microeconomics courses if a student has a strong background in the subject. Waivers require that a student knows the material for the standard master’s option for the course: Microeconomics I (PPHA 32300) and/or Microeconomics II (PPHA 32400)

To waive either Microeconomics course, students will take a waiver exam prior to registration. The waiver exams for the autumn and winter quarter Core courses will be administered in person in mid-September so that students can get results before registration.

Please see details below about replacing a waived PPHA course.

Analytical Politics

MSCAPP students enroll in Analytical Politics I (PPHA 30800) in the autumn quarter of their first year. It is possible to waive this course if a student has a strong background in the subject.

To waive either Analytical Politics course, students will take a waiver exam prior to registration. The waiver exams for the autumn and winter quarter Core courses will be administered in person in mid-September so that students can get results before registration.

Please see details below about replacing a waived PPHA course.

Replacing a Waived Course

If a student waives a PPHA core course, it must be replaced with a Harris (PPHA) elective at some point during their curriculum. If a student waives a CAPP core course, it must be replaced with a Computer Science elective at some point during their curriculum. 

See details about what counts for each type of elective, as well as overall degree requirements, on our Curriculum page.