The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Fall 2022           CICS Connect RAPs 

June 1st Update: Application no longer required             

CICS Connect RAPs are an opportunity for students who are entering declared in a Manning College of CICS (College of Information and Computer Sciences) major or as undeclared in the CICS Exploratory Track to live together and have their collegiate first-year seminar (one credit) with students they are living with.  Students of all levels of computing experience are encouraged to apply. 

In the RAP seminars students will participate in stimulating discussions and collaborative learning projects.

There will be two CICS Connect RAP options for students entering in Fall 2022:

********

CICS Connect: Fostering Inclusion by Engaging in Real-world Computing Education [FIERCE] RAP

Inclusive Housing Open to ALL CICS majors - no previous experience with computing needed!

CICS Connect FIERCE provides opportunities to honor, foster, and sustain support networks among people of diverse genders and their allies majoring in computer science or informatics. The ‘real-world’ is diverse and our college wants this inclusive RAP to feel particularly welcoming to cis women, trans women, trans men, non-binary people,  and their allies. The RAP provides many benefits for its residents. In addition to having easy access for making friends and finding study partners with peers taking similar classes, residents expand skills outside of the classroom via additional social, academic and professional programs. Learn practical, real world computing tips and tricks from faculty and industry experts in optional Saturday workshops. Students in this RAP will have special opportunities for discussions with visiting speakers who are computing professionals representing  diverse genders. Living in a RAP feels empowering, with residents building community while connecting with CICS faculty, peer mentors and industry professionals.

CICS Connect: Modern Computing

CICS Connect Modern Computing RAP offers participants the opportunity to live among peers who share an interest in learning about new technologies and computing research.  The CICS RAP provides many benefits for its residents. In addition to having easy access for making friends and finding study partners with peers taking similar classes, residents will have ample opportunities to explore their interests outside the classroom.

There will be ONE application for both programs. See details below.

Steps to participate in one of the CICS Connect RAPs Fall 2022: 

  1. Complete the application and submit it no later than Tuesday, May 10, 2022. If you have questions, email rap@cics.umass.edu 
  2. All applicants will be notified of acceptance status by Wednesday, May 18, 2022
  3. If NOT accepted, please consider joining one of the Gen Ed RAPs  *see note below
  4. On Wednesday, June 1 any remaining open spaces will be available for CICS declared majors and CICS Exploratory students to join the RAP (no application necessary at this point) until the program fills.

More information can be found on the How to Join page on the RAP website.

Important Note: Holding a spot in a Gen Ed RAP does NOT guarantee that you will be in the RAP. If during your Advising & Course Registration appointment you learn that your RAP course conflicts with any course required for your major, your major requirement would take precedence and you will have to drop the RAP. You will have the option to join a different RAP if there is one you are eligible for that has open space.

Course and Location Information Fall 2022
Accepted students will be assigned to one of the following residence halls in Orchard Hill Residential Area with the associated courses.

Students in Dickinson Hall in will enroll in the following seminar: CICS First-Year Seminar: "Modern Computing" Fall 2022
What is happening in the world of computing today?  What does cutting-edge research look like? In this seminar, students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on projects, hear from faculty and other researchers in computer science about their work, and explore what it means to be a researcher in computer science.

Students in Webster Hall will enroll in the following seminar: CICS First-Year Seminar: "FIERCE" Fall 2022
Seminar description coming soon.

Computer Science Majors

University of Massachusetts Amherst
©2023 University of Massachusetts Amherst · Site Policies · Accessibility