How hard is computer science?

[ccaian]

Discrete math and programming will get you. 

[Cs342]

I used to do computer science. I had switched to it from another course before I started my first year because I wanted to do something a bit broader. Personally, I found it very boring. I absolutely love PCs and programming is super fun, but I found the content on my course every uninspiring. It was mostly to do with the lecturers and the pace at which we were going through the content. That's probably more to do with the university I'm going to though and not the computer science course in general.

 

Now I've switched to another computing related course, I'm much happier than I was before. I get to do all the same programming I was originally doing, but just applying the learning differently and going through the course at a much faster pace.

 

I think if you have a passion for anything to do with computers and are willing to learn new things, and perhaps spend some time trying to grasp some topics, I think you will be absolutely fine. Good luck!

What course are you in right now?

I definitely have an interest in programming but I'm not good at math

[MrTomnus]

What course are you in right now?

I definitely have an interest in programming but I'm not good at math

I decided to switch it to computer games programming. It involves learning all of the same languages (C++, Java, Haskell, SQL etc) but instead of making random programs in Linux, I fell like I'm actually contributing to something better by designing a game. I love it, personally

[Keudn]

Just a quick question, how hard will it be to double major in astrophysics and computer science?

[Jumper118]

nothing is hard if you don't do lots of work for it

[Cs342]

I decided to switch it to computer games programming. It involves learning all of the same languages (C++, Java, Haskell, SQL etc) but instead of making random programs in Linux, I fell like I'm actually contributing to something better by designing a game. I love it, personally

what college are you in?

[MrTomnus]

what college are you in?

I'm studying at De Montfort University in Leicester, England. It's nice, but unfortunately my grades were slightly worse than I was hoping for, so the education is slightly more easy going. There's plenty of stuff to challenge myself with though!

[Cs342]

I'm studying at De Montfort University in Leicester, England. It's nice, but unfortunately my grades were slightly worse than I was hoping for, so the education is slightly more easy going. There's plenty of stuff to challenge myself with though!

Does GPA matter for computer science? I heard that employers don't care about your grades, only your degree. So could I just barely pass all my classes and still get a job?

[GoodBytes]

Does GPA matter for computer science? I heard that employers don't care about your grades, only your degree. So could I just barely pass all my classes and still get a job?

Depends where you want to work.

-> R&D, definitely.

-> Company is undecided between 2 candidate (you and someone else), big yes.

-> Normally, no.

They are companies that ask for it, but usually it's not a place you actually want to work. There is no correlation between high-GPA and a good employee in the computer science/software engineer field. But that is my opinion, and what I am told by people working in the field. However, a job is a job, better than no job, and a low GPA will close these doors on you.

You technically don't need an education degree to work in software field, much like a mechanic, IT, and so on. However, having one, makes you more visible, and during difficult economic times, and as years move forward, companies expect that you have one.

Having a degree gives the company that you apply to, a guaranty, to some level, that you know the basic stuff, that you are ready to do some research, that you know algorithms design, and can conceptualize programs in your head.

A high GPA, doesn't show your creativity and originality, your ability to think about the user, think outside the box, passion in software development, work in a team, code properly, design specifications of software properly, etc.

If you want to work at companies or areas that don't look at GPAs, then you are better off having a lower GPA (but still acceptable) and having personal projects than none.

[Cs342]

Depends where you want to work.

-> R&D, definitely.

-> Company is undecided between 2 candidate (you and someone else), big yes.

-> Normally, no.

They are companies that ask for it, but usually it's not a place you actually want to work. There is no correlation between high-GPA and a good employee in the computer science/software engineer field. But that is my opinion, and what I am told by people working in the field. However, a job is a job, better than no job, and a low GPA will close these doors on you.

You technically don't need an education degree to work in software field, much like a mechanic, IT, and so on. However, having one, makes you more visible, and during difficult economic times, and as years move forward, companies expect that you have one.

Having a degree gives the company that you apply to, a guaranty, to some level, that you know the basic stuff, that you are ready to do some research, that you know algorithms design, and can conceptualize programs in your head.

A high GPA, doesn't show your creativity and originality, your ability to think about the user, think outside the box, passion in software development, work in a team, code properly, design specifications of software properly, etc.

If you want to work at companies or areas that don't look at GPAs, then you are better off having a lower GPA (but still acceptable) and having personal projects than none.

What good companies are there that don't care about GPA? Are there any famous companies that also don't care about whether you even have a computer science degree? Can I just minor in computer science?

[GoodBytes]

What good companies are there that don't care about GPA? Are there any famous companies that also don't care about whether you even have a computer science degree? Can I just minor in computer science?

I cannot comment on the questions you posted beside the first one to some level, as I don't know. There is no magic list. All I know is that I am told that Nvidia and AMD don't. Same for Google, Amazon and Microsoft (as long as it's not in the R&D dept, but then again, usually, as these place, the company contact you, not the other way around, I am being told. I think you can apply, you know, in the case they don't see you, but you need interesting research that you have done and doing to them). And, yes they are other companies. I don't know people from every companies in the world to make you a list, but I am sure most tech oriented companies don't. They are some exceptions, IBM (but not sure), and Matrox (they don't hire in any case).

Keep in mind that when you apply for a position, the requirement are not requirement per se. They post what they prefer ideally to have. Doesn't mean it says "you need a master degree" that you need one to apply. They pick the closest that they have from the requirement. And even if they do, you are still not ruled out, because that selected person need to pass the interview. The interview process is not about knowledge 100%, they want to see if they see you, if you fit in the company culture. So there is level of subjective. You can get every single interview question 100%, but if they don't see you as a team player (if they are a company that works in teams, mostly), don't see you as you'll fit in the company culture, they might not accept you, and pick someone that didn't get everything right instead.

Also, they are companies that does all it's training of employees internally. Usually these interviews are 1:1 with HR only, and gives you some test on some language they use, and if you pass the test, and the interview, good you are hired, then they'll train you on the solutions they use using the language they made you test (usually it's Java).

Of course, keep in mind that I would strongly suggest that you ask others, as my knowledge is obviously limited. Like I said, I don't know every single company in the world. Nor worked in all of them. Let alone, got my degree.

[ionbasa]

Going to post this here since I believe it may help you. I am actually studying towards my Mechanical Engineer major, but with a minor in Computer Science. I currently have 3 AS degrees: Multiple Sciences, Physics, and Mathematics. 

 

Now, yes I did attend a 2 year junior college (community college) straight after high school. For your General education requirements it saves a decent amount of money, and has a better student to professor ratio.

 

Basically, If you can get your calculus 1-3, linear algebra, and discrete structures out of the way, you should be golden. Everything after that is basically how well you can understand concepts such as: data structures, various programming languages (C/C++), logic, assembly language.

 

For a CS major, this is the classes you will basically take (at least at University of California): http://cmsstudent.engr.ucr.edu/majors/2012_Final_ENCS.pdf

[BirdyTheMighty]

i got a friend doing it and said it was hard and his the smartest person i know(well in programing that is)

[MrTomnus]

Does GPA matter for computer science? I heard that employers don't care about your grades, only your degree. So could I just barely pass all my classes and still get a job?

It's more or less the way it works in business. Before you have a degree, all employers only care about is A levels. Then once you're into university, nobody cares about your A levels anymore and only look at the level of degree you have...

 

I'm sorry, I don't know what GPA means