Can I Handle Computer Science?

demoz · 11-01-2009, 04:31 PM

I am a freshmen in UC - Berkeley right now and I didn't know what I wanted to do at first at Cal. However, I did find out that I really like math. I didn't want to major in purely mathematics because I thought that might bore me eventually. So, I thought that I might do computer science, but I don't really have a background in it, except that I know it deals with the science of computer science and I have to think critically. Should I jump into this major?

Calcozzo · 11-01-2009, 04:35 PM

This is something you'll have to answer for yourself. You could try learning a programming language and see what kinds of little problems you can solve with it, though. Of course there's more to CS than just programming, but programming is still a major part of it. It'll be a good experience; I wouldn't want to go into a programming class "cold".

demoz · 11-01-2009, 04:40 PM

That's very true, I'm planning to take an introductory computer science course next semester along with a seminar.

However, I'm really wondering if being good and having a deep interest in math will help me a lot in computer science courses?

Calcozzo · 11-01-2009, 04:43 PM

Well no ****...

AuburnMathTutor · 11-01-2009, 05:08 PM

Yes, if you are mathematically inclined you will do well in CS. That is to say, if you could do well in a Math major, you could do well in CS, and conversely.

rsala004 · 11-02-2009, 02:25 AM

learn to program on your own time, i think CS is one of those majors where you really have to focus and practice outside of the class the most....that is for eventual success in the industry .

Techy233 · 11-02-2009, 03:24 AM

YES. You can handle CS.

BCEagle91 · 11-02-2009, 12:34 PM

CS theory courses are usually taken in the junior and senior years with a lot of programming in the first two years. I agree on the advice to get some practice with programming - you will need to be decent at programming to get through a CS program and then your interest in math will carry you through the theory.

buster2009 · 11-03-2009, 04:28 PM

Yea, you should learn to program outside of the class room. This is because software engineers have to learn new stuff all the time at a fast past.

Calcozzo · 11-03-2009, 06:20 PM

^Yeah definitely keep in mind all the stuff that you'll need on the job but won't be covered in your degree. Odds are you'll learn Java, C++, or Python in college, but for any sort of meaningful software engineering job you'll need all three of those plus several more.

armaryland17 · 11-03-2009, 07:19 PM

From what I have gathered, the math can be "side-stepped", right? What I mean is that the math courses that one takes for CS (Calc. One, Two, and Linear Algebra) will rarely come up in the workplace (unless one gets a job at a supra-intensive porgramming project/company). Am I correct on this?

My sources:
Sample Plans Computer Science Department: Undergraduate education office at the University of Maryland, Computer Science Department
UMBC: Undergraduate Admissions. Learn/Majors/Education

js911 · 11-03-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

From what I have gathered, the math can be "side-stepped", right? What I mean is that the math courses that one takes for CS (Calc. One, Two, and Linear Algebra) will rarely come up in the workplace (unless one gets a job at a supra-intensive porgramming project/company). Am I correct on this?

If you're going into CS only for a BS and want a programming job, this is somewhat true. You'll struggle a little more with the theory a little bit if you're uncomfortable with basic calculus, but you can certainly get by without being a "math wizard" or anything like that. There is a big IF here: lots of students go into CS for game programming, which is actually quite a bit of math. This is especially true if you do computer graphics.

AuburnMathTutor · 11-04-2009, 01:09 AM

Any quality CS program will have a few theory courses. These are 'math' courses by any reasonable definition of mathematics...

That being said, the people who are in it to be code monkeys can usually muscle their way through that stuff. I think it's a shame, and that these people should probably be in CE, EE, or IT, or something, but there you go.

buster2009 · 11-04-2009, 12:50 PM

One thing. Be sure you do a lot of programming outside the class room. Because when you go in for a interview they will test your ability to design and write code on the spot.

Right I'm working on a B.S.E.E.T, but I work as a software developer. The degree can get you in the door but you have to show you can design and code.

I got my first programming job(working on a casual video game, like the ones on big first games and game house) without a degree, but I had to show off examples of work to get the job.

armaryland17 · 11-04-2009, 05:21 PM

@js911:
I agree with you that Math Courses can be done and handled correctly w/ enough work + effort. What I was asking specifically is the real world applicability of such courses on CS. CS is logic oriented (which I hope to work on when I got to a CS program).

Also, you said a lot students go into game programming but fail to realize that most Universities (the ones that offer such a track) have no added math reqs. I an see physics being used more widely in game programming.

See this related link:
UMBC programs in Interactive Entertainment and Game Development