Computer science Majors come here

[memetootoo]

I remember a couple of people mentioning in the forums that they have a bachelors degree in computer science and I'd would to ask a couple of questions if you don't mind.

Some background. I am two years into my Biology major, but recently I've become very interested in what computer science has to offer. Basically if I was to switch majors I would essentially be restarting my university career. I don't know any programing languages, and have never taken a CS course before, and math is not exactly my strongest subject. So I have no idea what I'm getting myself into, and I'm worried I'd be wasting more time if I go forward with the switch and the classes are to challenging. But from reading the class descriptions and the department pamplet it seems to be something I'd really be interested in.

Some classes I'd be taking:

Specific Requirements

Any grades below a C will have to be retaken.

Required Computer Science Courses

121 Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (or 191B)
191B Introduction to Java II
187 Programming with Data Structures (4 cr)
201 Architecture and Assembly Language Programming (4 cr)
250 Introduction to Computation (4 cr)
287 Programming Language Paradigms (4 cr)
311 Introduction to Algorithms (4 cr)
320 Introduction to Software Engineering (4 cr)
377 Operating Systems (4 cr)
383 Artificial Intelligence

Semi-Required Courses (at least two required)

401 Formal Language Theory
410 Compiler Techniques
445 Information Systems
453 Computer Networks
535 Computer Architecture

Mathematics

MATH 131 (4 cr)
MATH 132 (4 cr)
MATH 233 Multivariate Calculus or STATISTC 515 Statistics I
MATH 235 or 236 Introduction to Linear Algebra

One of the following courses (or another upper-level mathematics course
approved by the academic advisor):

MATH 233 Multivariate Calculus (if not used above)
MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers
MATH 411 Introduction to Modern Algebra I
MATH 421 Complex Variables
MATH 441 Mathematics of Finance
MATH 451 Numerical Analysis I
MATH 456 Mathematical Modelling
MATH 523 Introduction to Modern Analysis
MATH 551 Introduction to Scientific Computing
STATIS 501 Methods of Applied Statistics
STATIS 515 Statistics I (if not used above)



Thank you

[Telic]

I'm in the UK so the system is a little different, but I basically have a degree in Microbiology (a 3 year course); But in the final year my project was to try and get computers to recognise microbial colonies from video images - this is what gave me the "bug", but also gave me some experience to judge what I wanted to do.
So then I did a 1 year conversion MSc to get a computer degree equivalent also.

If I were you, I would seriously spend a couple of weeks trying to write some AddOns for WoW to at least dip your toes in the water, or at least take someone elses AddOn and experiment by changing code, etc.
The nice thing is that you don't need any special program language compiler, just a text editor, and WoW
http://wow.incgamers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=398979&highlight=resources

Or seriously attempt to get through on of those Java for Dummies books maybe - looking at other peoples WoW AddOns could confuse you as they are usually not well commented by authors to explain what the code is meant to be doing.

Whether you need good maths or not depends on what kind of computing jobs you would be interested in later on.

Many of the computer game programming skills actually require VERY good math skills, so 3D Engines, Physics Engines are very math intensive, and even computer AIs need good maths skills I believe.
Of course games companies also need lots of programmers to program development tools, GUIs, etc. but I wouldn't be dreaming about working on 3D game engines if your math skills are as basic as mine :sad:

If you want to be able to program statistical analyisis programs, then obviously.... :wink:

But programming of GUIs, databases, coms, and your everyday algorithms usually only needs basic maths. The more fluent you are with binary and hexadecimal the better.

Just some general musings as your situation sounded similar to mine. I ended up in database development and programming, which I like fine because I just enjoy the puzzle solving elements, and the challenge of meeting dead lines, etc.

Good luck :smiley:

[irogue]

Question: what do you expect from CS major? Do you want to be a software developer?

My under major was MIS (management information system) and it was “School of management” or business school. (GPA 3.81)

My master degree was Information Technology and it was under the computer science. (GPA 3.25)

East mode:
If you want to have an easier life or a good GPA, go for the management or business school. You can be a software developer or any profession in software related field. I got my first job when I was in my sophomore.

Hard mode:
If you don’t mind challenging and an average GPA, take computer science. Chances are – you become a developer as well like those in business school.

[memetootoo]

Thank you for the replies, i deff don't want to be a developer, I'm thinking something along the lines of IT manager,(Not sure if that is what it is called, the people who troubleshoot computers in a company, sets things up, etc) or to suck it up and finish my degree with bio, and try for a masters in CS and find a bioinformatics job.

[irogue]

Thank you for the replies, i deff don't want to be a developer, I'm thinking something along the lines of IT manager,(Not sure if that is what it is called, the people who troubleshoot computers in a company, sets things up, etc) or to suck it up and finish my degree with bio, and try for a masters in CS and find a bioinformatics job.

I second your plan to pursuit IT related master degree after you finish your Bio major. IT management? You might want to go "school of management" or "school of business" and take “MBA” or "Technology Management".

Married and kids popping out, I struggled to finish my degree (software engineering) in CS and I was also discouraged to get a PhD. To me, CS was very intense and challenging - lots of programming/coding in projects and designs. On the other hand, school of management was like a breeze to me.

cheers

[Tikki]

Here, you can get a 1 year college degree for IT services. I would check out your local trade schools ~ if they're anything like here, you'll be offered so many job you'll be beside yourself.

If you're really unsure, I would recommend finishing off your current degree and taking all your electives in intro CS and math courses. This way you'll be able to test the waters and see if it's what you really want to do.

What plans did you have with a bio degree? CS seems the other direction ;)

But don't listen to me. I was a chem major before I got my honours in psychology...and now I study old people with the path to med school...it's a circle!

Most important thing to remember is ~ you'll excel the most in what you enjoy. So you may do great in bio and not so good in math..but if you enjoy math, you may find out that in the end you do better in it :)

best of luck!


OH, and one thing that I tell myself (since I'm currently in a degree which I hate, and going on a road which I don't want to take, and often have mental break downs thinking I just wasted $xxxxxx.xx and xx years on somethign I hate) ...so i like to tell myself "you have all the time in the world to do what you want. education never hurt anyone, and you can always change your mind. this degree will open doors for you that you may have passsed up. school will always be there, but your sanity may not." ...... ok.... so i'm having a school crisis right now....I'm jsut going to breathe.