any computer science majors here?

[Tocsin_786]

ill be going to uni soon and my major will be just that (or something very similar) anyways i just wanna know how the learning experience is in the field. and what kind of jobs are there that take such a degree? 

[TheSLSAMG]

I would quite like to know this as well, followed.

[Fred Castellum]

From what I hear my friends saying its tedious work. Only get into it if you truly enjoy writing code all day.

Pay is decent but not incedibly amazing or anything. Quite a lot of people go into the field so expect some competition.

[MrSuperb]

From what I hear my friends saying its tedious work. Only get into it if you truly enjoy writing code all day.

 

You don't have to go to college to end up as a code monkey.

 

It is not like all mechanical engineers sit in front of their computer and design parts all day either.

[siberiansteel11]

I was a computer science student for 2 years until I shifted to IT . Let's just say computer science is more of the programmers side. So if you love coding and theories then go computer science. But if you wan't to learn Design, Web developing, Hardware, Computer networks and business analyst You might want to get IT ( I'm an IT graduate)  

[Fred Castellum]

You don't have to go to college to end up as a code monkey.

It is not like all mechanical engineers sit in front of their computer and design parts all day either.

I didn't say you have to end up as a code monkey. I have little to no experience in the major coding languages aside from the webdev languages.

I'm just sharing what I've heard.

[MrSuperb]

I'd say computer science is more math and less coding.

(That might depend on the program though)

[Tocsin_786]

I was a computer science student for 2 years until I shifted to IT . Let's just say computer science is more of the programmers side. So if you love coding and theories then go computer science. But if you wan't to learn Design, Web developing, Hardware, Computer networks and business analyst You might want to get IT ( I'm an IT graduate)  

i guess i gotta change my major, im pretty sure universities that offer computer science also offer IT. 

[Guest Philosophy]

Comp Eng, Is the way to go. 

[protato117]

ok, so I am another freshman taking up this course, just finished my first semester about to go to the next. I've asked this question before as well...and well, so far so good! I don't know what language your uni will be teaching the freshmen but we started with Turbo C. 

 

CompSci is more about the design algorithm of a problem. So like watashi said, only take it if you really enjoy writing code cuz there's gonna be tons of problem solving and coding. I've seen some of my less passionate classmates struggle. or if computer language is something that interests you and if computer related stuff is your passion in general. 

 

here's a website that has really easy to understand tutorials about turbo C. 

 

http://www.programiz.com/c-programming

 

and if you're also asking, IT is just a sub category of CompSci with a specific focus on code as siberiansteel11 has said. CompSci is more focused on how to solve problems and writing a code that solves it. 

 

so if you're really gonna take this course! have fun! it's honestly fun and challenging! esp if you love code! 

[Tocsin_786]

ok, so I am another freshman taking up this course, just finished my first semester about to go to the next. I've asked this question before as well...and well, so far so good! I don't know what language your uni will be teaching the freshmen but we started with Turbo C. 

 

CompSci is more about the design algorithm of a problem. So like watashi said, only take it if you really enjoy writing code cuz there's gonna be tons of problem solving and coding. I've seen some of my less passionate classmates struggle. or if computer language is something that interests you and if computer related stuff is your passion in general. 

 

here's a website that has really easy to understand tutorials about turbo C. 

 

http://www.programiz.com/c-programming

 

and if you're also asking, IT is just a sub category of CompSci with a specific focus on code as siberiansteel11 has said. CompSci is more focused on how to solve problems and writing a code that solves it. 

 

so if you're really gonna take this course! have fun! it's honestly fun and challenging! esp if you love code! 

ive only coded once when barnecules did it. i did enjoy it but im afraid that going into it not knowing how to do it will be a challenge. thanks for the input, 

[Tocsin_786]

Comp Eng, Is the way to go. 

whats the difference\? 

[protato117]

ive only coded once when barnecules did it. i did enjoy it but im afraid that going into it not knowing how to do it will be a challenge. thanks for the input, 

ohohoho believe me, it is an absolute challenge. I never had knowledge on coding up until I took this course, and thats the main reason why I took this course really. to know more about code. I've always really been the PC hardware kinda guy and wanted to know more a little code so yaaa. 

 

but the feeling of writing a code that works and solves the problem. just about as satisfying as sex building your first PC. well, I've never had sex built my own PC, but still a great and satisfying feeling! 

[Tocsin_786]

ohohoho believe me, it is an absolute challenge. I never had knowledge on coding up until I took this course, and thats the main reason why I took this course really. to know more about code. I've always really been the PC hardware kinda guy and wanted to know more a little code so yaaa. 

 

but the feeling of writing a code that works and solves the problem. just about as satisfying as sex building your first PC. well, I've never had sex built my own PC, but still a great and satisfying feeling! 

i like the idea of coding. i guess im going to try IT, compsci and eng. to see what i really fit into. and i know that feeling you are talking about NOT  

[smjpl]

i guess i gotta change my major, im pretty sure universities that offer computer science also offer IT. 

 

(all links are Youtube videos)

 

What are you actually interested in learning? In comp sci you will end up doing a lot of coding but that is because that is the language of computers. Once you learn the basics of coding, you then learn the science. I haven't done comp sci. I have studied mechanical engineering but then did a conversion msc in applied computing. This only consisted of two semesters of actual studying and focused on the applications of computers but since it was aimed at engineers we covered quite a lot on computer science end.

 

We studied quite a bit on computer algorithms and data structures. Graph theory (& Trees but trees are basically graphs) are heavily used in computer science. It plays a big part in how problems are represented (graph problem used in networking). You will learn a lot about how to use these graphs and data structures to do some really cool stuff. File compression (huffman coding) uses trees. These are the building tools you need for complex software like operating systems (queues for scheduling processes in an OS). These allow you to create searching algorithms and use them in artificial intelligence (like depth first search used in chess AI).

 

Another area you might cover is computer graphics and how objects are represented using matrices and linear algebra to model space. Wireframe representations are creating using nodes and then we can perform matrix translation, rotation and scaling to move objects to create animations (linear algebra graphics). Then using polygons (3 nodes of a wireframe) we can create surfaces to model 3d objects. Using ray tracing, radiosity and no photon mapping methods to create realistic lighting models with the properties of the surfaces. Kinematics is based on linear algebra as well and this is used in both robotics and animation.

 

We also did image processing and learned how to manipulate images and make programs that recognize objects in images. (Here is a quick look at basic image processing using Matlab)

 

I would get a list for your course perspective and list the modules you can take. You may get some better answers as to exactly what your course might entail.

[Tocsin_786]

(all links are Youtube videos)

 

What are you actually interested in learning? In comp sci you will end up doing a lot of coding but that is because that is the language of computers. Once you learn the basics of coding, you then learn the science. I haven't done comp sci. I have studied mechanical engineering but then did a conversion msc in applied computing. This only consisted of two semesters of actual studying and focused on the applications of computers but since it was aimed at engineers we covered quite a lot on computer science end.

 

We studied quite a bit on computer algorithms and data structures. Graph theory (& Trees but trees are basically graphs) are heavily used in computer science. It plays a big part in how problems are represented (graph problem used in networking). You will learn a lot about how to use these graphs and data structures to do some really cool stuff. File compression (huffman coding) uses trees. These are the building tools you need for complex software like operating systems (queues for scheduling processes in an OS). These allow you to create searching algorithms and use them in artificial intelligence (like depth first search used in chess AI).

 

Another area you might cover is computer graphics and how objects are represented using matrices and linear algebra to model space. Wireframe representations are creating using nodes and then we can perform matrix translation, rotation and scaling to move objects to create animations (linear algebra graphics). Then using polygons (3 nodes of a wireframe) we can create surfaces to model 3d objects. Using ray tracing, radiosity and no photon mapping methods to create realistic lighting models with the properties of the surfaces. Kinematics is based on linear algebra as well and this is used in both robotics and animation.

 

We also did image processing and learned how to manipulate images and make programs that recognize objects in images.

 

I would get a list for your course perspective and list the modules you can take. You may get some better answers as to exactly what your course might entail.

ive tried coding and really enjoyed it. the only issue is that i may go into something that ive only dipped my fingers into and be completely left in the dark. i just need to know how difficult it might be. 

[smjpl]

ive tried coding and really enjoyed it. the only issue is that i may go into something that ive only dipped my fingers into and be completely left in the dark. i just need to know how difficult it might be. 

 

Coding is not the reason to get into computer science. All the topics I listed are the reason to get into computer science. If you enjoy learning those topics and are fascinated by the science behinds them, then you should do computer science. Coding is just the tool you use to implement those topics in a computer program. If you really don't like coding then that may be a reason not to do it but if you truly love the science then definitely do it. Even if you struggle with coding now, if you really enjoy doing it (even if it is hard) you will get through it.

 

I would advise you learn as many java videos as you can now. You should really know the benefit and how to create an object orientated program. Then start looking at some algorithms that you could implement. Check out these videos on sorting and searching algorithms. This may really bore you but it is an example of some of the stuff you will be doing. I don't expect everybody to love learning about sorting algorithms but you should enjoy when you learn about how you can use them and what you can use them for.

 

Here is some free books and guides if you want to read up some more: https://github.com/vhf/free-programming-books/blob/master/free-programming-books.md#algorithms--datastructures

 

I suggest you take some time and go watch some of the videos I posted to see if any there interests you. Start coding some more and see about trying to learn some algorithms. Either way you will be at an advantage. If you do like it you will have a jump on your classmates and if you don't then you might not waste college doing something you hate.

[Brainstew]

I graduated Computer Science and currently working as a programmer. You don't have to take this major if your aiming to be a programmer some day. I know some some IT and Comp Eng graduates who are currently working as programmers. ComSci graduates, in a sense, are more "hardcore" in this field. smjpl covered most of the topics discussed in ComSci but in my experience you'll experience less coding in your 3rd or 4th year in college and you'll focus more on algorithm analysis and more theories. 

[ofr057]

From what I hear my friends saying its tedious work. Only get into it if you truly enjoy writing code all day. Pay is decent but not incedibly amazing or anything. Quite a lot of people go into the field so expect some competition.

its quite cut throat industry around here, basically because there's so few jobs going I've seen jobs come up for IT tech with a degree but only offer $45k :mellow:

 

saying that if you do study in SAP - companies are offering insane amounts for people

[Tocsin_786]

its quite cut throat industry around here, basically because there's so few jobs going I've seen jobs come up for IT tech with a degree but only offer $45k :mellow:

 

saying that if you do study in SAP - companies are offering insane amounts for people

i thought the computing industry was filled with high demand for with high end salaries. i took an entire year to research it. everyone i talk to tells me that i will have a job even before i come out of uni. for the field. 

[ofr057]

i thought the computing industry was filled with high demand for with high end salaries. i took an entire year to research it. everyone i talk to tells me that i will have a job even before i come out of uni. for the field. 

I know there looking for mid to senior level people, but entry level is a saturated market here hence employer's can offer bread crumbs and they know some will bite.

 

I dont know where you live though so it might differ there but in queensland unless your working for a multi national or a mining company your not going to get a decent wage

[a_block_of_wood]

i thought the computing industry was filled with high demand for with high end salaries. i took an entire year to research it. everyone i talk to tells me that i will have a job even before i come out of uni. for the field. 

 

I was promised that when I signed up for the course, 11 years ago.

 

I completed my diploma, majoring in Computer Science 9 years ago, and went on to another university to complete my Bachelor's degree majoring in Software engineering 7 years ago. Been working for almost 7 years.

 

I went for it because I was told it was the next big thing. It was around the time broadband internet was introduced to my country, and many businesses switch to computers.  I was promise the same thing I quote you saying. But as I went through the course, more and more people graduate with the degree I was about to receive, saturating the market. When I graduated, there was a lot of graduates with coding skills, but no one with skills to run a business or create job opportunities.

 

Before I sound very negative, let just say I did okay now before I continue to demotivate anyone reading this, that was 7 years ago after all.

 

I couldn't even get a job as a technician at a computer shop at first, they said I was over qualified.  Took me four months job hunting to land a job, getting paid peanuts doing everything from cleaning the office to installing projector screen to building computers to supporting customer on software. I was the do-all computer guy.

 

A year later I found an actual programming job. It was a relief at first because I'm doing what I'm actually trained to do. It lasted two years before I decided that working 60 hours a week isn't my cup of tea.  So I pack my bags and moved far from home, one way ticket, two hours flight away.

 

Now I'm working for a global company which I can't name due to company policy, life is comfortable although not luxurious. Competitive, yes, but it's not like I'm on the edge everyday fighting for my survival (I still get to type this post!)

 

 

Now onto the Computer Science Major.  It would be a nice major to take if you plan to build a life-long career on computer programming. You learn the fundamentals, the concepts, the ideas, the logic.  Programming language come and go, a new language will come and render the old one outdated, so don't concern yourself too much on a particular language.

 

To be honest I kind of forgot about the stuff I studied in Computer science. I started out as a lowly coding monkey, coding everything the software designer put on spec. Now that I get to design some of the code I do, I really need a refresh on what I've studied back then. It's a lot more than "just get the code to work", something a lot of programmers forgot.

[Tocsin_786]

I know there looking for mid to senior level people, but entry level is a saturated market here hence employer's can offer bread crumbs and they know some will bite.

 

I dont know where you live though so it might differ there but in queensland unless your working for a multi national or a mining company your not going to get a decent wage

i live close to nyc to put it in perfective. over here we have almost any fortune 500 you can think of. this is the time of year where no one knows what to do when moving to higher studies. all i know is that i cant be scared about moving forward. 

[bob345]

most people think they want to get into computer science but once they star they quickly switch majors. Only go with computer science if you can enjoy coding constantly, otherwise it is not for you. Personally i am a computer engineering major which covers electrical engineering along with some software stuff. If you are more into the hardware side of things, i would get into electrical engineering or computer engineering as for me, it is much more interesting than computer science.