Getting Started With Us

Your first step is to activate your IdentiKey. Your IdentiKey is a combination of your CU Login Name and a unique password set by you. CU Login Names are created automatically by OIT and composed of the first two letters of your first name, the first two letters of your last name, and four random digits. (e.g. Jane Smith could be jasm1234)

You will use your IdentiKey to access most campus systems and services. You also need to set-up your CU Boulder email account (do this step three days after you activate your Identikey). We will use your CU Boulder email account to communicate with you and is the official form of communication for the program, so it is important that you login and start checking it regularly.

The Buff Portal is also known as the student portal, and is where you’ll manage your student transactions while you’re at CU Boulder.

Upon first logging in to Buff Portal, you must consent to conduct business electronically during your time at CU Boulder.

Students also have the option of conducting official university business offline. Student transactions in Buff Portal include: 

• Reviewing your transfer credit and running a degree audit
• Searching for and enrolling in classes
• Updating and verifying your addresses, cell/mobile phone number and emergency contact information
• Applying for and authorizing the College Opportunity Fund (for Colorado undergraduate residents ONLY)
• Viewing your tuition and fees on your student account
• Signing up for direct deposit for tuition and fee refunds
• Selecting or waiving health insurance (students registered for 6 or more student credit hours are automatically enrolled in health insurance. You must waive it if you do not want it.)
• Viewing, accepting or declining your financial aid. Please contact the Financial Aid Office directly to determine your eligibility. 
• Authorizing your financial aid and/or scholarships to cover university charges
• Checking your Holds and To-Do List to finalize your financial aid application
• Browsing the University of Colorado Boulder Catalog.

Log in with your CU Boulder Login and password. 

Before you can register for classes, there are a few preregistration items that you need to complete including updating your contact information, accepting tuition and fee agreement, and applying for and authorize the College Opportunity Fund (Colorado Residents Only). Log into Buff Portal to complete these items. 

While the Post-Baccalaureate program strives to create a similar experience to on-campus students, there are several differences. To help familiarize yourself with those differences, and what is expected of you as a student, we highly encourage you to review the Post-Baccalaureate Student Handbook.

If you have any questions about items in the handbook, you should reach out to your advisor.  

 

Academic advisors help you personalize your academic journey. They provide any support needed during your transition to CU Boulder and throughout your academic journey. 

• Shortly after being admitted, students will receive a welcome email and instructions on how to set up an appointment with an advisor.
• All students must meet with an advisor before they can register for classes.
• During their time in the program, students can schedule individual academic advising appointments with an advisor if they need any help with the program.

Before registering for classes, it is best to verify your Transfer Credit Report. Your transfer credit report shows you any classes you’ve submitted to CU Boulder for college credit. This report is updated as we receive official transfer credit documents, so if you’re expecting to see credits and don’t, check back later.

If you do not receive transfer credit for a class you took at another university that you think is equivalent to a class in the program, please contact TCHelp@colorado.edu, They will evaluate the class in question and determine if it equivalent to the class offered in the program. 

Don't be afraid of this step! You aren't doing this alone. Utilize the many resources available to you if you have any questions.

• Register for classes through Buff Portal. Log in with your CU IdentiKey and password. 
• Use the following guide to register for your classes: How to Register for Classes Instructions
• CSPB courses are reserved for Applied Computer Science students (i.e., CSPB 1300). Students must register for CSPB subject courses in order to earn credit for their classes.
• All courses in the Applied Computer Science program are evaluated using letter grades. Students must select the letter grade option when registering for classes in order to receive credit for their classes.  
• Choosing Classes: Students can complete the program by following a 1-year (requires academic advisor approval), 1.5-year, 2-year or 3-year pathway to completion. Register for the appropriate classes as listed on the pathway you are following. For example, students following the 2-year pathway would register for the following 2 classes: CSPB 1300 Introduction to Computing and CSPB 2824 Discrete Structure.

 

May 26, 2020

• Last day to enroll in a class
• Last day to drop a class (without a W grade or penalty)

July 13, 2020

• Last day to Drop in Self-Service (will receive a W grade)

 

Students will receive additional information around May 14, 2020 regarding:

• Accessing the class Moodle content
• Required software to install on your laptop
• Program policies and procedures
• Syllabus and textbook requirements