Grad Schoool Questions on CS Major

[JC0133]

Computer Science Masters
So I would like some advice as well as some input. Anything you guys can give me, I would greatly appreciate it.

I got my undergrad in Electrical Engineering back in 2005. My favorite classes in college were electronics, logic design, digital systems and every software/programming class I took. I didn't take many programming classes. Maybe 3 at most.

I have been working the past 6 years. 3 years in electrical analysis and design, 2.5 years in software engineering which I really liked. I used mostly in house software to write my code which wasn't to complicated(conditional statements, functions, single dimension arrays, loops) stuff like that. I have decided I really want to go back for my masters.

2 reasons

1. Which is the biggest reason. I enjoy school and learning and 2. Cause my company will pay for it.

I am pretty sure I want to go into computer science but I am considering computer systems/engineering as well.

I need to slim down my areas of interest for grad school.

I am really interested in

Game development/AI
User Interfaces and Graphics
Logic Design/Digital System using HDL(VHDL or Verilog)
Robotics
Software Security Systems

Just want your input/thoughts on these questions

So my questions are

1. How would you rank these in terms of difficult?

2. Which ones are in higher demand in the job market today?

3. Which ones usually have the higher paying salary?

4. Which ones are harder to get jobs for? Ex. I heard getting into game development is tough?

5. Last questions is which ones is more adaptable to my other interests?

Ex. I know I can work AI in game development but I am sure I can do the same in robotics.

 

[PowerYoga]

Game development can be difficult if you have little concepts on how matrices work (graphics design involve a lot of matrix transformations). Security and UI were very easy for me, VHDL and verilog hard for me. I'm terrible with embedded systems in general.

Robotics, depending on what you're doing, can be hardware or software related. I did a project about robot pathfinding + lifting objects and it was 100% programming algorithmic solutions.

As for the market, it's very difficult to get into gaming without previous backgrounds unless you want to do indie games. Not sure about any of the other stuff though. Robotics is more research oriented for the most part AFAIK.

If you're interested in a bit of digital and logic systems design, robotics might interest you. I hated that stuff so I can't give you any suggestions on what sort of classes to take.

 

[JC0133]

Game development can be difficult if you have little concepts on how matrices work (graphics design involve a lot of matrix transformations). Security and UI were very easy for me, VHDL and verilog hard for me. I'm terrible with embedded systems in general.

Robotics, depending on what you're doing, can be hardware or software related. I did a project about robot pathfinding + lifting objects and it was 100% programming algorithmic solutions.

As for the market, it's very difficult to get into gaming without previous backgrounds unless you want to do indie games. Not sure about any of the other stuff though. Robotics is more research oriented for the most part AFAIK.

If you're interested in a bit of digital and logic systems design, robotics might interest you. I hated that stuff so I can't give you any suggestions on what sort of classes to take.

I never took a VHDL or Verilog in College. I did very well in my logic design, digital systems and my assembly language class. Is that a good sign I may do well or like VHDL/Verilog? Cause that is what I am assuming? Do you know what type of companies or work I will be doing if I focus on this area?

I am not sure what you mean by matrics? I took applied linear algebra in college and there were ton of matrix problems. I did really while in that class as well.

 

[JackMDS]

Almost everything in your list has some aspects of "3 years in electrical analysis and design, 2.5 years in software engineering which I really liked".

But the one that is most loaded with the same variance and will max your success in the future is probably "Software Security Systems" is probably the way to go.

 

[mfenn]

If you want to go into more of the theoretical areas like AI, don't be surprised if they ask you to go back and take some undergraduate discrete methods and computational theory classes.

Also, if you don't instantly know what any of the following are:
- binary tree
- stack and queue
- heap
- hash table
- least-path algorithms (Dijkstra et al)
- depth-first search and breadth-first seach

Then you may also want to consider taking an undergraduate level data structures and algorithms class because you'll be expected to be reasonably fluent (algorithmically-speaking) before entering an MS program in CS.

Basically, what I'm trying to get at is that "Computer Science," especially at the graduate level requires a lot different skill set than what your average programmer has. I'm not trying to scare you off, just letting you know that it may not be exactly what you think it is.

 

[JC0133]

If you want to go into more of the theoretical areas like AI, don't be surprised if they ask you to go back and take some undergraduate discrete methods and computational theory classes.

Also, if you don't instantly know what any of the following are:
- binary tree
- stack and queue
- heap
- hash table
- least-path algorithms (Dijkstra et al)
- depth-first search and breadth-first seach

Then you may also want to consider taking an undergraduate level data structures and algorithms class because you'll be expected to be reasonably fluent (algorithmically-speaking) before entering an MS program in CS.

Basically, what I'm trying to get at is that "Computer Science," especially at the graduate level requires a lot different skill set than what your average programmer has. I'm not trying to scare you off, just letting you know that it may not be exactly what you think it is.

yeah I don't know all of that. My next class is data structures and algorithms So hopefully by then I will know.

 

[corkyg]

I can only address a couple of your questions. The highest paying jobs are in project management and marketing. That includes product development. What pays is making money for the company. Engineers with management and people skills are always in high demand.

 

[Gibson486]

I never took a VHDL or Verilog in College. I did very well in my logic design, digital systems and my assembly language class. Is that a good sign I may do well or like VHDL/Verilog? Cause that is what I am assuming? Do you know what type of companies or work I will be doing if I focus on this area?

I am not sure what you mean by matrics? I took applied linear algebra in college and there were ton of matrix problems. I did really while in that class as well.

you usually do not learn HDL until you get a graduate curriculum.

As for matrices, do you know matlab well? If so, you can do alright. Matlab is all matrices and robotics involves lots of it when you deal with moving arms.

 

[aviat72]

If you are going to get a degree (and not just take classes), try to get into the best school you can. You will be spending a lot of time on it so makes sure the name also adds value.

A lot of top schools now offer online degree programs for working professionals. If you are company is paying for it, try to get in to those top schools.

What is hot now may not be hot in the future. First get a good basic grounding in algorithms, operating systems, compilers. Then you can go in multiple directions for advanced courses. Stuff like HDL etc. is all easy to learn once you have the time.

As someone pointed out, getting a well rounded education and then being able to move closer to the money will help you make more money than one specific area.