Which undergraduate path is my best option?

[CalAlum]

To the OP,
I agree with posters who have emphasized the desirability of a strong major. I think you should pursue the B.S. in computer science. Take some writing classes, but also try to get some of your writing published in the school paper. Or start a blog. Develop a body of writing work online that a prospective employer could easily access. Having that in hand would probably be more helpful than having a minor in creative writing.

Seek out two internships before you graduate that involve you in the sort of activities you like. Check out online gaming companies for these opportunities.

[Pizzagirl]

For me, that sort of thing is for showing, not telling. Be someone with ideas and interests beyond your principal field of studies. Most people are. You shouldn't need a minor on your transcript and resume to certify that.

And you especially don't need a minor on your transcript to prove you can write. Because no one who cares about your writing is going to rely on that minor. They are going to look at your writing and judge for themselves.

Right, but the minor can be a signifier, all else being equal. Not every job applicant to a job in which writing is important is submitting writing samples. I have no dog in this fight (I did had a double major, which was a specific program that I was in that by definition had to be a double major, and my school did not offer minors, I don't think) but I'm not so sure what the objection is to a minor. No one is saying that you can't be well-rounded and interesting and thoughtful in X area without a minor; but it can show that you had some depth and seriousness to your pursuit. It strikes me as a no-harm situation as long as striving for a minor doesn't preclude getting enough general classes.

[TWNeal]

Just to clear things up, I don't want the creative writing minor as something to put on a resume. I want to do it because I want the experience and the portfolio, which will ultimately comprise of several short stories and a short novel.

Creative writing is my dream job--a hobby that will hopefully flourish into a generous career, but is unlikely to; computer science is for my real-world resume--a major within reach that promises to be generous regardless.

As of now, I'm feeling that option C would be the best choice. Any more opinions on the matter are more than welcome.

A question for someone who may know its answer: if I graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing, can I return to Chapel Hill at a later time to pick up the remainder of the courses I need for the math major, or would I have to repeat the curriculum?

Also, can a computer science major be competitive to enter a graduate mathematics program?

I of course ask these questions due to the possibility that my Computer Science knowledge is one day obsolete. A big fear of mine going into a computer science program is that technology is evolving so rapidly, my skills and knowledge may not be valuable in the future. That is why I am so bent on picking up a math degree alongside my CS degree. Is this foolish?

[noimagination]

A question for someone who may know its answer: if I graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing, can I return to Chapel Hill at a later time to pick up the remainder of the courses I need for the math major, or would I have to repeat the curriculum?

What would be the point, exactly? Which courses are we talking about?

[oldfort]

No, you are not foolish. In the last 5 years, I have been an IT director for various business lines. Every time we saw a resume, most managers wanted to know if the person knows Java, C, c++, .Net. If the person didn't have the exact requirement then they would want to pass that person over. I think that's silly, it is more important if someone has the right displine and aptitude.

I have never taken a computer course, but wrote few major trading systems on my own using high level programming language. It was self taught. When I used to write code, I could do it very efficiently due to my math background (how to do it in fewest steps). I can't write a line a code in C, nor would I want to, but I could talk architecture to come up with the best design. When someone looks at my resume, it is not my CS background (or lack of it) which gets me the job.

If you are a hard core programmer, and it is love of your life, then I would go for BS in CS, but if you have a broader interest then I still stand by my recommendation. I am joining a start up tech company soon. They use a proprietary programming language, which could be learned once people come onboard. They have graduates with math, stats, physics, finance...majors. They want programmers who also have business knowledge (or have aptitude for it).

[thumper1]

My daughter picked up a double major for much the same reason the OP notes. During her junior year, she realized that she only needed to take three additional courses, and one additional core course to add a biology major to her bioengineering major. She had to get approval from the college of arts and sciences to do so (she was a college of engineering student). She is happy she noticed this possibility.

[dietz199]

DS- a soon to be HS senior has an internship at a major techie think tank. He's been reading a boatload of papers from the high level, many letters after name folks. His comment...can't ANYONE write anymore.

The point being...writing, in whatever subcategory (Creative, Technical, Research) is becoming a lost are in some of the techie world. I think it's a great idea to couple it (don't know about the value of a minor) with whatever technical degree you pursue.

[TWNeal]

What would be the point, exactly? Which courses are we talking about?

I somewhat answered that in my previous post:

A big fear of mine going into a computer science program is that technology is evolving so rapidly, my skills and knowledge may not be valuable in the future.

I want a second option if this does happen. Though I would love for someone to tell me I'm wrong about that.

The courses I need beyond what is covered within the computer science major to fulfill the math degree requirements are as follows:
B.A. in regular Math: Differential Equations and any MATH course numbered above 500.
B.S. in Applied Math: Differential Equations and three of the following: Advanced Calculus II, Functions of a Complex Variable with Applications, Elementary Differential Equations, Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I, Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences II, Combinatorial Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling.


@Oldfort: I'm not a hardcore programmer. I'm not even a programmer; at this point I only know HTML and CSS. Technology interests me in its artistic potential--not in its technical nature. I'm not exactly looking to be someone who sits at a desk and writes code all the time; I'm looking to be someone who integrates creativity and technology (hence my interest in video game design). I'm interested more in software architecture and design than I am software engineering. That said, what do you suggest?

[ucbalumnus]

Originally Posted by TWNeal

Also, can a computer science major be competitive to enter a graduate mathematics program?

You may want to check the web sites of graduate math departments. It is likely that they will want to see a set of core advanced math courses like linear algebra, abstract algebra, real analysis, complex analysis, plus math electives applicable to your focus area as a math graduate student. CS theory courses like complexity theory and theory of computation could be applicable if that would be your focus area as a math graduate student.

Given your description of the BA vs. BS math degree programs, the BA program would likely give you more flexibility in choosing math and related courses, although you would likely want to take more math courses than the minimum that it specifies.

Originally Posted by TWNeal

I of course ask these questions due to the possibility that my Computer Science knowledge is one day obsolete. A big fear of mine going into a computer science program is that technology is evolving so rapidly, my skills and knowledge may not be valuable in the future. That is why I am so bent on picking up a math degree alongside my CS degree. Is this foolish?

Many of the core CS concepts about algorithms, operating systems, compilers, etc. do not become obsolete. Specific programming languages and vendor or proprietary technologies do become obsolete. If you have knowledge of the core CS concepts and the ability to think logically in the way that computer professionals need to, then self-educating for new technologies and programming languages should not be excessively difficult, and is expected as you go through a career as a computer professional. (Yes, it is preferable if the CS courses do not all use the same programming language; see The Perils of JavaSchools - Joel on Software .)

[oldfort]

Ucbalumnus raised some good points, many core CS concept do not become obsolete. I would suggest for you to look at courses you have taken to see what interests you the most and take additional higher level courses. You may find that CS isn't for you(you haven't taken that many CS courses yet). D1 was a math major, but she realized getting a PhD in math wasn't in the cards for her. After working for a year, she is evaluating if it's something she wants do for the long term.

I have shared my opinion on BS va BA, and other parents have different opinion. I don't think you could go wrong one way or another. You sound like a bright kid and would probably do well anyway. If I were to hire someone, I don't think it would really matter if someone has a BA or BS in CS, but a BA would allow you to take more electives.

[mathmom]

I agree with JHS, get the BS in Comp Sci. That's the degree and the set of courses the top employers will be looking for. It's pretty irrelevant if you get minors on top of this. Yes, take the creative writing. If there are extra math course you want to take fine, take them. But some of the best courses I took in college were the one off courses. Best course I ever took? Landscape Painting of the Sung Dynasty. But I didn't need to be an Art History minor. My best friend who has had five novels published, majored in Music, but took all the creative writing courses she could. It's not that there's anything wrong with a minor, but sometimes the minor forces you to take courses you don't really want to take. Instead of taking the three courses in Art History you want to take, you have to take three more you didn't really care for.

Saw your second post and I say, you'll probably have to take more Comp Sci before you know what is right for you. It's not a decision you have to make right away anyway.

[noimagination]

I want a second option if this does happen. Though I would love for someone to tell me I'm wrong about that.

What does a math degree qualify you to do that a CS degree does not?

(Don't get me wrong, math is a great degree. But a BS in math isn't the world's most directly applicable credential.)

[jym626]

There is a big market for technical writers. Just sayin'

[toblin]

As a long time technical recruiter and hiring manager, I often viewed a bachelor level candidate touting a double major as not proficient in either. I further believe it's a sign of immaturity and/or bad judgement that is generally practiced by self-promoting status seekers. (Read: Bad hires).

And I assure you: I am not alone in this opinion.

[oldfort]

How do you determine if someone is proficient enough at a bachelor level? If someone had a math degree, would it be that person has taken set number of math courses? Or would it be when that person has taken 70% of his courses in math? Unless a student is majoring in a particular trade - nursing, business, accounting, engineering...he is not going to be proficient in any particular major, that's why they go to graduate schools.

D1 had enough APs from her high school, it was very easy for her to double major. She met all of her school's requirements for those majors. I guess what you are saying is if my daughter just majored in math, and took more electives instead of focusing more on economic, then her math degree would have been more credible. Or are you saying because her school allowed double majors, then her degree wasn't as meaningful?