Computer Science Major?

[joeschmo88]

Hi, mostly all of the universities here in california offer a computer science major. its not the typical computer major becuase i see that most of the learning comes from doing A LOT of math and science. especially going up the ladder to calculus II and physics. i understand that its for the programming. just thinking about all that math makes me worried about transferring to a 4 year university. right now im enrolled in a community college and taking basic computer networking/security classes. i WANT to transfer to a 4 year school and get a degree in computers while working and gaining experience, but computer science seems to be a different type of education. anyone out there majoring in computer science? how is it? can you give me some insights please. well appreciated. btw, i know that experience in computers definitely gives me thumbs up, but i just want to transfer out and see what i can do with computers in the 4 year schools.

[sr71000]

CIS is strictly programming (atleast at my school). I'm learning nothing about networking or repair.....even the upper level networking classes are how to do network programming. I enjoy it though I don't plan on making a career out of it. I plan on getting into repair as u do but a 4 year degree or especially a masters looks really good for very high end network administration jobs and such!

[Fernanthonies]

My schools 4 year comp sci degree is also strictly programming and theory, with a lot of math. I did take a networking class as an elective since 12 hours of electives are required, but it was mostly theory on communication across networks and stuff like encryption programming and methods to correct data coruption.

Pretty much all i do in class is programming. Data structures, object oriented programming, learning different languages, database stuff...things like that. If you want math based programming, then you want a computer science degree. If you want more of a hardware based degree, i would think that you would want computer engineering.

[joeschmo88]

thanks guys for the insights...so to sum it all up, computer science is strictly programming, theory and codes huh? fernathonies, you say computer engineering for people who are hardware based? thats the type of person i am with computers. i'll think about that. thanks. anyone a computer engineer?

[HeadBand]

Comp E is more about the design of actual hardware components than anything

it includes some programming and a lot of math and physics

I don't think there is a 4 year degree for just repair & networking

[originel]

Software Engineering is about how to write code for various applications (usually not very math oriented). Computer Science is really about the theory behind computation and so there isn't much ordinary programming in it.

Computer Engineering is (in my experience) a combination of electrican engineering and software engineering.

[joeschmo88]

orignel, so what do you think about computer engineering? school? computers is my only interest, im just trying to find out where i should head into...im still a freshmen at community college, im not in a total rush. right now im looking into computer engineering. i just want to start early in my studies/experience. and also make sure its the right thing for me.

[famosbrown]

Computer Engineering at my school involved a lot of math classes, physics, etc like the rest of the engineering degrees. It was more of the hardware design and programming. There's a lot of money in it. Computer Engineering isn't nothing like PC repair or networking...it isn't limited to just the PC. It is everything from designing machines used in pharmaceutical labs to the electronic dashboards in your car.

I have a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems. I took every CS class the Computer Science majors took, but while they were taking the Calc III, Differential Equation, a bunch of science classes, etc., I was taking the Business classes. I got the best of both worlds. In the CS curriculum, programming/coding is the emphasis. COBOL, VB, C++, C, C#, assembler language, JAVA, web programming, etc., etc. I received one networking class, but it was mostly conceptual, and one Microcomputer class, and that was alright.

I'm also trying to get to the Networking/Systems Engineering/Administration, but in my experience thus far, they are looking for certification. They love the 4 year degree once you get in, so you can hold high management positions, but to get the foot in the door, they are looking for experience and certifications. If they are looking for Windows Server Administrators/Engineers, they are looking for the MCSE, Network Engineering regarding a bunch of Cisco technologies, they are looking for the Cisco Professional, etc. Right now, I'm in a management position in IT, but I'm not doing what I love to do. I just got done with college, so only a year of I.T. experience, and I'm not done with the certs. I want to go into the networking side of things, but they are looking for the certifications. YOu can look up many jobs on careerbuilder, monster, dice, etc., and for just about all of them, they prefer the experience and certified professional.

From your first post, it sounds like you want to go into the system administration side of I.T., so I would pursue both the degree and the certifications. Cisco certification is a pretty intense track, but the rewards are great. They are more of the router/switches, network hardware gurus and are in high demand. The CCNA is the first step and is pretty easy to attain according to many of my colleagues, but after that, it gets VERY intense. Many Cisco interviews involve asking questions about the technology to eliminate the paper certified and the fluke passing of the exam by some. The MCSE track is lengthy and will be easy if you have experience already doing it everyday. If not...it too will take some studying and getting used to MS exams (I won't go into that any further ). The certs will get you in, and the degree will help you move up faster.

Famos

[joeschmo88]

thank you thank you famos, i will definitely take your insights into consideration. yes, i will do both degree and certifications...and as always i will get my experience. computer career=experience on the job.

[joeschmo88]

how well were you guys in math and science before getting into computer engineering or computer science?

[famosbrown]

I was pretty good in math, but didn't have to do much science. I am just an MIS major, so I didn't go as far as Calc III and Diffy Q. I took classes like Business Algebra, applied Math, Stats, etc....aced them all. Had good instructors though .

YOu shouldn't have to worry about the classes. If you are willing to work hard, they will be easy. If you just go to class, don't study, don't do homework, don't seek help in areas needed, part all night, sleep all day, etc., then you might have some issues...unless you pick up on things quickly and easily.

Famos

[joeschmo88]

I was pretty good in math, but didn't have to do much science. I am just an MIS major, so I didn't go as far as Calc III and Diffy Q. I took classes like Business Algebra, applied Math, Stats, etc....aced them all. Had good instructors though .

YOu shouldn't have to worry about the classes. If you are willing to work hard, they will be easy. If you just go to class, don't study, don't do homework, don't seek help in areas needed, part all night, sleep all day, etc., then you might have some issues...unless you pick up on things quickly and easily.

Famos

Yeah, im not the type of kid that parties every weekend. My main focus is school. I dont even have a part time job...yet. So yea, im really willing to spend countless hours studying and studying. The reason why i asked that question was because i got so freaked out when i saw that calc1 and calc2 are required to fulfill my lower division classes. i've never been that far in math, but im decent enough in the area. the area of science and physics is where im really worried about.

[famosbrown]

Yeah, im not the type of kid that parties every weekend. My main focus is school. I dont even have a part time job...yet. So yea, im really willing to spend countless hours studying and studying. The reason why i asked that question was because i got so freaked out when i saw that calc1 and calc2 are required to fulfill my lower division classes. i've never been that far in math, but im decent enough in the area. the area of science and physics is where im really worried about.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I'm not sure what school you will be attending, but there should be plenty of resources available to help you if you should have any problems. Tutors, study halls, the Professor "in office" time, etc. I found most of my college classes pretty simple as I got older, studied more, and crammed less . I'm not saying the math and sciences are a walk in the park, but if some can ace those classes, you can as well. You may have to spend more time with those subjects, but once you get through them, you won't have to w0rry about them anymore. You are going to have classes that you have no interest in or struggle in, but once you start hitting the majority of you major (area of study) classes, the fun begins .

Famos

[cmptrgydv]

If you want a good education, in computer networking, and computer tech,
Then I think your best bet is to go to a tech school, not a collage,
I went to a tech school for networking and tech, and it was a blast,
I liked the idea the our teachers where regular guys with jobs in the field,
With real life experience working with networks, not some professor who read about it in a book,
I went at night, and all my teachers were working at some big company as network admins,
Or owned their own network consulting companies,
When I went through my Cisco ccna class, the teacher knew people at Cisco by their first name,
He talked to them all the time, so it was fun to have Cisco employees showing you how to do stuff,
We use to play Hollywood squares in class using networking as the theme,
We would divide the class in two, and compete against each other in teams,
I’ll take network protocols for 300 Bob,

[joeschmo88]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. I'm not sure what school you will be attending, but there should be plenty of resources available to help you if you should have any problems. Tutors, study halls, the Professor "in office" time, etc. I found most of my college classes pretty simple as I got older, studied more, and crammed less . I'm not saying the math and sciences are a walk in the park, but if some can ace those classes, you can as well. You may have to spend more time with those subjects, but once you get through them, you won't have to w0rry about them anymore. You are going to have classes that you have no interest in or struggle in, but once you start hitting the majority of you major (area of study) classes, the fun begins .

Famos

i definitely agree with you. i live in california and im planning to transfer out to california state university-Sacramento. your right, i just need the mindset that when all this is done...it will definitely pay off at the end. just need to get through these courses then the fun will begin with my major. as for a tech school...im not really interested in those schools just because they're not traditional. tech schools are really expensive and they dont seem to be a place to socialize while going to school. but thats just me.