What do you learn in computer science?

[Marvzl1357]

Hullo,

As the title says, what do you actually learn in computer science, I'm halfway through my last year of High school and will have to choose universities and what to study.

Computer science has always tickled my fancy, but what does one actually study in it? I understand that it's mostly learning about how computers actually work, and some coding/algorithm application here and there. 

I'm sorry, but I'm relatively busy at the moment with work and don't really have the time to find out everything about the study area.

So can someone who's doing or done a computer science degree please enlighten me as to what you actually study?

Thanks a bunch

[79wjd]

Coding, possibly architecture,

[MrSuperb]

I understand that it's mostly learning about computers actually work, and some coding/algorithm application here and there.

 

math.

[Toxiclegend]

Maths, some physics I guess as it crosses over with math, coding but the uni will add and change things depending on which you choose so look at the uni site and decide.

[C_Mike]

Computer science, from what I understand is basically all theory, at least it is in the UK, i'm assuming its the same in the US. 

 

If you really want to learn coding, especially for games, then go for a specific course so you learn real in depth knowledge.

 

Computer science is all about how computers work, so you'll learn about how processors, memory and other components actually work, as well as how programming languages work.

[79wjd]

Computer science, from what I understand is basically all theory, at least it is in the UK, i'm assuming its the same in the US.

If you really want to learn coding, especially for games, then go for a specific course so you learn real in depth knowledge.

Computer science is all about how computers work, so you'll learn about how processors, memory and other components actually work, as well as how programming languages work.

Computer engineering is more about how computes work--hardware.

Computer science is more programming.

[lx_srs]

Hullo,

As the title says, what do you actually learn in computer science, I'm halfway through my last year of High school and will have to choose universities and what to study.

Computer science has always tickled my fancy, but what does one actually study in it? I understand that it's mostly learning about how computers actually work, and some coding/algorithm application here and there. 

I'm sorry, but I'm relatively busy at the moment with work and don't really have the time to find out everything about the study area.

So can someone who's doing or done a computer science degree please enlighten me as to what you actually study?

Thanks a bunch

Programming concepts, how to properly make use of system architecture, and you will learn a few languages along the way.

[C_Mike]

Computer engineering is more about how computes work--hardware.

Computer science is more programming.

 

Ok, must be different in the US then, from all of the courses i've seen in the UK, Computer science is all about the theory of computer engineering, and programming courses are things like Software Development, Computer Game Design etc.

[Marvzl1357]

Computer engineering is more about how computes work--hardware.

Computer science is more programming.

Hmm, I thought that was the case, I had a look at a past paper for computer science and it was things like "interpret this section of code and what could go wrong with it" or "If C is input, x happens then y and if a=true then z happens, write a logic sequence for this progression"

 

Ok, must be different in the US then, from all of the courses i've seen in the UK, Computer science is all about the theory of computer engineering, and programming courses are things like Software Development, Computer Game Design etc.

Here in Aus, there's separate courses for computer engineering and computer science. But I believe there is a bit of crossover as the engineers would need, to an extent, to know how to make use of a piece of hardware, and the programmers would, again to an extent, need to know how the hardware they're using works

[C_Mike]

Ok, must be different in the US then, from all of the courses i've seen in the UK, Computer science is all about the theory of computer engineering, and programming courses are things like Software Development, Computer Game Design etc.

Having said that there is probably is some general coding; and what I meant to say it that as far as I know, you don't make your own program which you would do when you do a programming specific course.

[Marvzl1357]

Having said that there is probably is some general coding; and what I meant to say it that as far as I know, you don't make your own program which you would do when you do a programming specific course.

From what I gathered (which isn't much) computer science is a bit of a primer for programming specific courses. Like, just so people can have a firm understanding before specialising specifically in game/software programming

[Goldilock]

Just wondering, does computer science also include Matlab?

[79wjd]

Just wondering, does computer science also include Matlab?

not really. Basic cs courses may, but if it's your major and not just an elective not likely.

[infamous_last]

Here in Aus, there's separate courses for computer engineering and computer science. But I believe there is a bit of crossover as the engineers would need, to an extent, to know how to make use of a piece of hardware, and the programmers would, again to an extent, need to know how the hardware they're using works

I'm in Oz too...

Look at Software Engineering, one of my ex's did this with a minor in Computer Science... a bit more well rounded IMO than just doing computer science (very programming focused).

Computer Engineering is very much hardware orientated, and not necessarily 'computers' as you would normally think of them.

[Marvzl1357]

I'm in Oz too...

Look at Software Engineering, one of my ex's did this with a minor in Computer Science... a bit more well rounded IMO than just doing computer science (very programming focused).

Computer Engineering is very much hardware orientated, and not necessarily 'computers' as you would normally think of them.

Hmm, I never considered software engineering, well, tbh, I didn't know that major existed

Thanks, I'll have to look deeper into both