Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Computers and Peripherals : computer science

[Mike235]

What exactly is computer science? A lot of jobs want experience in it.

[probonic]

Originally Posted by Mike235

What exactly is computer science? A lot of jobs want experience in it.

I did Computer Science in university - It's basically the overall technical side of computing, i.e. software development, networking, software design, databases etc. - At least that's what it was when I did my degree.

[Amdac]

It's basically an overview of every topic related to computers. My computer science course consisted of programming, web design, various math, some business classes, system analysis, flowcharting crap that I never attended, and the pub.

[probonic]

Originally Posted by Amdac

... and the pub.

Oh yeah, forgot about that part - the most important part of any education

[Browzer]

I have an undergrad degree in CS and am now going for my master's degree in CS (I have class in an hour actually...yes, on a Saturday morning. Joy.)

Anyway, computer science is supposed to teach you the theoretical basis of software design, development, testing, and other areas of computers.

It ISN'T there to teach you how to use Visual C++, Java, PHP, or other tools. You will probably learn some of these tools in the course of getting your degree, but that is really tangential. The goal of Computer Science is to teach you the "timeless" aspects of software development, not the current fads. That is what certification (or self teaching) are for.

Also, there is traditionally lots of math. Expect at least 3 calculus courses, linear algebra, statistics, and maybe some others.

[IH-Rameen]

I'm doing Computer Science. Just finished my second year (out of three). I absolutely hate maths. And lucky for me, the course is packed with maths...You learn the things as Browzer says in addition to Automata's, how the turing machine works, discrete mathematics, functions etc. etc. You will also learn about processor architecture, circuit design, binary arithmetic etc. etc..

A lot of stuff involved. I would recommend you contact your University and ask for a prospectus or talk to the admissions officer for that department and he/she could possibly give you a lot of information..

Great course though

[Burhan]

You also learn about algorithms, data structures, programming concepts, machine instructions, etc. Basically things you would need to know regardless of what programming you were doing.

[Xshare]

I'm starting on a Computer Science degree at Georgia Tech next year. Supposedly it is one of the hardest Comp-Sci programs in the nation, and one of the best too. Hopefully I won't die, but most Comp-Sci majors either drop out or switch to an easier major. I hope I can stick it out. Apparently there is a chapter on GT's CS program in the new revision of "The World is Flat".

[Ariel74]

This is a pretty decent article on CS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science

[Mike235]

Math is one of my weak points and of course computers are my strongest.

Is it the type of math you have to figure in your head or can you use a calculator? I have been out of school for over 10 years now, im sure a lot has changed.

Most all the jobs i'm interested in want a degree in computer science. The local cable company needs Service Technicians I and they want a degree in computer science so does thge local hospital for a computer job.

[probonic]

Originally Posted by Mike235

Math is one of my weak points and of course computers are my strongest.

Is it the type of math you have to figure in your head or can you use a calculator? I have been out of school for over 10 years now, im sure a lot has changed.

Most all the jobs i'm interested in want a degree in computer science. The local cable company needs Service Technicians I and they want a degree in computer science so does thge local hospital for a computer job.

I can only speak for the CS course I did, but the maths was pretty basic for the most part - the only time more advanced stuff came in was with things like algorithms.

[IH-Rameen]

Well the maths now is pretty hard. For our university some of the modules we take are integrated with the mathematics department.

Mikey235, PM me if you would like a sample of math questions.