Changing from Computer Science to another major -- but what to?

AugStudent · 10-04-2012, 11:57 PM

After starting college at Augsburg as a freshman in Computer Science, I realized that I was not good at calculus (example, finding the derivative of sin/cos/tangent functions combined with other functions and stuff), so I've decided that do to my inability to understand fundamental mathematical concepts, computer science may not be the right major for me. Then I asked myself; what should I be majoring in? The only careerpath that I had imagined myself doing in high school had been relating to computers --- I've always been good at writing software for computers in C++, C#, etc. and fixing people's computer problems (I was known at my school as the "goto" (no velociraptor intended) person for computer problems), so I figured I would major in computer science. I've contributed to open-source projects, wrote Linux libraries, programs, and kernel modules, wrote some Windows drivers, etc. However, I realized that none of this actually counts in the field of computer science. Computer science is a science, and therefore is about the mathematical application of concepts such as areas under curves, derivatives, and secant lines. Having wasted so much of my life doing stuff I thought was computer science, I'm completely unsure where I should go now. How do I pick another major to transfer into? I can't really picture myself doing anything else (correctly) in professional industry. How do I decide what my future major is, and when should I pull out of the computer science program at Augsburg?

I should also mention I can't succeed in math because I only have an IQ of 90 and most likely posses the RGS14 gene (AKA. the Homer gene)

egelloc80 · 10-05-2012, 12:00 AM

Wouldn't be the best person to answer this question but I searched the question and found a thread that could be helpful:

Major in Computer Science, but bad at math?

Good Luck!

AugStudent · 10-05-2012, 12:06 AM

I've already read this post -- still sounds like you need to at least understand fundamental calculus; and I'm having even problems with that. I think my main problem is that I simply mis-judged the focus of the industry, and had completely the wrong understanding of what a computer scientist does coming into college.
In short; if you're not good with calc, you're not fit to be a computer scientist. There's plenty of other people for employers to choose from who had no trouble acing their calc classes in college --- and CS employers do see math classes as highly important, in fact Bill Gates once claimed that Calculus was one of his most important assets in learning about the workings of computers; and a concrete understanding of calculus is essential to anyone who is seeking a job in the field of Computer Science (can't seem to find quote right now, but I remember reading this in one of his books).

drjenkins · 10-05-2012, 01:37 AM

Dude, I know exactly how you feel. I love programming and the likes, but I hate all of the CS Math. Thing is, Math is my best subject, or so I thought. I destroyed Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc. Now, I'm in a CS major taking Discrete Math. I had an exam today, and let's just say there's no way in hell I passed. It's not even supposed to be hard. The professor probably just sucks, but this class has been grinding me down and making my semester miserable. That said, I'm dropping my major next week lol.

To be honest though, I want to be a doctor. That's something I'm 100% set on. CS was just something I was majoring in for fun because I love coding. Unfortunately, like you said, CS is much more than just programming. They make you learn so much impractical ********. It's really hard to stay focused when you don't give a ****.

In your scenario, if you really don't see yourself doing anything else, I suggest you just work hard and stick with it. Sure you might not do amazing in those Math classes, but it'll be okay. As a Pre-Med, I can't risk denting my GPA in a hard major like CS. It's simply not worth screwing my future for, knowing I won't ever use my degree. If you know you want a job working with computers in the way that you described though, then by all means, hang in there!

PKDfan · 10-05-2012, 06:01 AM

Some colleges have majors such as IT or Software Engineering that focus on things like programming and software design. If you struggle with math, one of those types of majors may be a better fit. I also want to point out that although computer science is very math intensive, a lot of it is a different sort of math than you'd encounter in a calculus course. You might find that you like discrete math (which is used extensively in CS) more than continuous math like calculus.

1214mom · 10-06-2012, 09:57 AM

I second the suggestion for something IT related. You could look for something within the business school.

art2CS · 10-06-2012, 10:27 AM

Since when did knowing how to do trig substitutions matter for CS, aside from fulfilling degree requirements? Just grind through the math and get the degree.

PKDfan · 10-06-2012, 06:44 PM

@art2CS: I think what he's worried about is that if he can't handle something like basic calculus, the far more sophisticated math involved in upper level CS classes might be too much for him. Of course, this isn't necessarily true, but it's still a valid concern.

ucbalumnus · 10-06-2012, 07:40 PM

Have you had the discrete math course? Some people do better in that than in calculus (though some people do worse). The math found in CS (mainly in the theory courses) tends to be more like discrete math than calculus.

sumzup · 10-07-2012, 02:03 PM

Look, it's clear that you have a lot of programming talent, and it would be a shame if you jumped ship to another major just because you're finding calculus difficult. The vast majority of CS classes don't need knowledge of calculus. They may need discrete math, as has been mentioned, but that's a completely different kind of math. My suggestion is to just get through calculus and then move on to actual CS classes, many of which you'll be able to excel in.

art2CS · 10-09-2012, 07:00 AM

@PKDfan: Sure, that's certainly a valid concern, but hardly worth jumping ship over. Clearly the TS has a lot of CS-related skills, and abandoning the major due to Calculus issues seems pretty drastic.

As my favorite CS professor put it: "I haven't used calculus in like thirty years"

GLOBALTRAVELER · 10-09-2012, 06:48 PM

Be careful with software engineering. At most schools, an undergraduate SoftE major is just a specialized CS major that requires the same math courses: Calculus I & II, Linear Algebra and probably Statistics due to the software metrics course(s).

AugStudent · 10-09-2012, 09:58 PM

Unfortunately though; Computer Science is the only computer-related degree available here. I could go the BA route and not have the requirement of the math courses; but I haven't seen a single company in my area that takes a BA in computer science as a necessary qualification. Most companies want to see a BS.

ucbalumnus · 10-10-2012, 03:18 AM

Do they really disdain the BA in CS degree from your college, or do they just write "BS in CS" on the job listing because it takes up less space than "bachelor's degree in CS"?

Around here, companies do not seem to care about BA versus BS for those with bachelor's degrees in CS.

sarahdolly · 10-14-2012, 04:49 PM

I'll receive my BA in CS in January, and nobody has ever asked about it, and I don't think it's ever affected my chances of getting interviews. I'll be joining Google full-time when I graduate. If you're really worried about this though, talk to someone in the CS department who does undergraduate advising and ask them about what jobs people find after undergrad.

CS isn't an easy major though. I still haven't figured out how to guarantee a good grade in my courses, sadly.

I agree to see if you get through Linear Algebra and Discrete Math before you completely switch majors, though! Maybe you could minor in CS? Whatever you end up doing, programming will always be useful!