What computer major should I take?

[toolboxolio]

Originally posted by: wetcat007

Originally posted by: archcommus
Computer engineering is a little EE + a little CS. You dabble in hardware and software and you need to be good at math, programming, and circuitry.

Computer science is all software and you don't need to do TOO much math, of course your basics calc courses and all that.

Computer networking, umm....that's a major?

One more thing to add to that, the amount of math you do may vary by the school a decent amount.

Very true.

I had to take a buttload of math and logic related classes. Found out too late that I only needed 2 more math classes to get a math minor. Hindsight pwns me.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: nkgreen
In my limited experience, there are no hot women in CS. So that may be a deciding factor. Our CS curriculum has a required math minor, so take that into consideration also.

Lol, if you are in any computer related programme, you don't got time for hot chicks.

 

[gamepad]

databases

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: aurareturn
I am looking for the major pays the most. Should I take computer engineering, computer science, or computer networking? Or any others?

Which one requires the least amount of math and which one is the easiest?

Pays the most - I have no idea, but don't pick your major based on that. If you want to make a lot of money, you'll have to move into management regardless of where you start.

Least math - networking

Easiest - depends on what your strengths are. I did computer science, and I considered it to be pretty easy, because I understand it. Networking is like a black box to me, so I'd consider it the hardest even though it probably isn't.

 

[Skiddex]

for any CS/CmpE major consider these as the math classes you will have to take:
Calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, discrete math, stats
on top of this, i also had classes in these mathematical areas:
combinatorial optimization, theoretical computer science (mostly set theory), and an algorithms course.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

MIS, requires very little brainpower, is decently respected by companies, and you get the pleasure of considering yourself a technical person

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: nkgreen
In my limited experience, there are no hot women in CS. So that may be a deciding factor. Our CS curriculum has a required math minor, so take that into consideration also.

Lol, if you are in any computer related programme, you don't got time for hot chicks.

erroneous, don't be a hater!

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Skiddex
for any CS/CmpE major consider these as the math classes you will have to take:
Calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, discrete math, stats
on top of this, i also had classes in these mathematical areas:
combinatorial optimization, theoretical computer science (mostly set theory), and an algorithms course.

Discrete math is probably the one that gives people the most trouble. And stats could too depending on how high a level of stats you have to take.

 

[tfinch2]

CS math requires are usually:

Calc 1, 2 and 3 (maybe)
Discrete Math
Linear Algebra
Statistics

Plus you apply stuff you learned in those classes into pretty much every traditional CS class (Algorithms, Data Structures, Architecture, Operating Systems, etc)

 

[ghostman]

I don't want to put you off on any goals, but I'm curious about your background with computers. I know plenty of people who say they are "into" computers because they love playing computer games and building computers. But you don't need a college education to do that and you won't find that in CE or CS.

I was a CS major, so I can't really comment much on CE. Are you into coding? Perhaps even designed your own webpages with HTML and Javascript? A simple Microsoft Office macro perhaps? That might give you some insight about a direction. But don't think for a minute that you'll get through CS without math. I believe Calculus was a pre-requisite for my major. If you don't need Physics for CS, then you can expect to take that in CE.

I hate to break it to you, but I find that most jobs that pay well involve a good amount of math... at least during the schooling processes. I don't like math, but I suck it up and do it anyway. That might leave computer networking for you, which I've never heard of as a major in college. If it's any college worth a damn, that class should also include a decent amount of coding and graph algorithms.

You might also want to consider Information Systems majors. That's usually part of a business school. I don't know the amount of math involved in those majors, but there is coding as well (perhaps less algorithm theories?).

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Skiddex
for any CS/CmpE major consider these as the math classes you will have to take:
Calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, discrete math, stats
on top of this, i also had classes in these mathematical areas:
combinatorial optimization, theoretical computer science (mostly set theory), and an algorithms course.

Discrete math is probably the one that gives people the most trouble. And stats could too depending on how high a level of stats you have to take.

I thought Discrete Math was kind of difficult, but it was fun.

Originally posted by: ghostman
I was a CS major, so I can't really comment much on CE. Are you into coding? Perhaps even designed your own webpages with HTML and Javascript? A simple Microsoft Office macro perhaps? That might give you some insight about a direction.

 

[spidey07]

Go for something like MIS and focus on communication/business classes/project management. Not too much math there and you'll make a lot of money.

The key here is to get the techincal people/engineers to do the work for you. You're job is to manage these people.

You can shoot for manager by 25, director by 30. With some kind of business oriented degree rather than technical you'll quickly rise through the ranks.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: nkgreen
In my limited experience, there are no hot women in CS. So that may be a deciding factor. Our CS curriculum has a required math minor, so take that into consideration also.

Lol, if you are in any computer related programme, you don't got time for hot chicks.

erroneous, don't be a hater!

Well, at least it was true when I was in it. I practically lived in the computer lab. I think the longest stretch was 72 hours straight. Coding is fun when you are not even conscious.
I think the hardest thing in csc ever did was Computability and Complexity. Math would be String Theory.


BUT if you are good enough to handle CSC and still have a life, who says you have to look within your own discipline? Go take Psychology 101, plenty of birds around.

 

[Ausm]

My brother has a PHD in EE and CompE and he has no trouble finding work.


Ausm

 

[James Bond]

Networking / Storage = $

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo
At some, CS is Software Engineering, in which case it may very well have almost identical math requirements as CompE/EE.

I thought the Engineering Society struck down the use of the words "Software Engineering"?
Not that I agree with them or anything.

 

[toolboxolio]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
CS math requires are usually:

Calc 1, 2 and 3 (maybe)
Discrete Math
Linear Algebra
Statistics

Plus you apply stuff you learned in those classes into pretty much every traditional CS class (Algorithms, Data Structures, Architecture, Operating Systems, etc)

As well as Numerical Analysis (called it numb-anal since it was just that), Databases (2 for me) and various programming classes (as tech electives).

Though these are not technically math classes, they require power from the same part of your face.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: wetcat007

Originally posted by: archcommus
Computer engineering is a little EE + a little CS. You dabble in hardware and software and you need to be good at math, programming, and circuitry.

Computer science is all software and you don't need to do TOO much math, of course your basics calc courses and all that.

Computer networking, umm....that's a major?

One more thing to add to that, the amount of math you do may vary by the school a decent amount.

At some, CS is Software Engineering, in which case it may very well have almost identical math requirements as CompE/EE.

A true computer SCIENCE degree will require you to have a pretty good head for mathematical structures. CS and software engineering aren't the same thing, and I don't see why SE would require more math than a CS degree, unless your school's CS program = code monkey generator.

 

[bignateyk]

YGPM

What school are you going to? Does it have an IST program? IST is basically a computer-oriented business degree that will set you up for project management in IT, etc... There are alot of programming & networking classes, and also alot of business type classes associated with the degree, but not much math.

 

[ForumMaster]

computer networking (Cisco) pays good. does require time and effort. i'm studying and preparing to take my final CCNA certification soon.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd recommend getting a business degree and getting into a technology sales or project management job instead. It pays more, the perks and bonuses are better, and you have a better chance of getting promoted. The math requirements are also low, and you still get to play with computers to some extent.

Degrees like CIS or MIS are good if you want to be an IT guy when you graduate. Those degrees don't require a lot of math, but you'll likely end up getting a boring grunt-work job that doesn't pay all that well as a result. Sure, you'll get to use technology all day, but you'll learn to loathe it after having to install patch X or reset user Y's password a thousand times.

OR, you can take up Computer Science and find that most of the good programming jobs have been shipped overseas by the time you graduate. Your call.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: ghostman

You might also want to consider Information Systems majors. That's usually part of a business school. I don't know the amount of math involved in those majors, but there is coding as well (perhaps less algorithm theories?).

I'm going to a private school and the major is called Computer Information Systems..but it's not like what most CIS majors are like and most schools. Basically, we have the core computer classes, and from there we can decide what to specialize in...Math for a traditional CS course, business, marketing, and medical.

It's a good program I think. The only required math course is discrete math..which I have no idea what that is yet, have to take it next year.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Skiddex
for any CS/CmpE major consider these as the math classes you will have to take:
Calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, discrete math, stats
on top of this, i also had classes in these mathematical areas:
combinatorial optimization, theoretical computer science (mostly set theory), and an algorithms course.

Discrete math is probably the one that gives people the most trouble. And stats could too depending on how high a level of stats you have to take.

I thought Discrete Math was kind of difficult, but it was fun.

I enjoyed it too, partly because it was the first math class that I actually had to put some effort into.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
CS math requires are usually:

Calc 1, 2 and 3 (maybe)
Discrete Math
Linear Algebra
Statistics

Plus you apply stuff you learned in those classes into pretty much every traditional CS class (Algorithms, Data Structures, Architecture, Operating Systems, etc)

:thumbsup:

The school I went to required the above mentioned math courses (Integral Calc, Differential Calc, Multidimensional Calc, Discrete Math, Linear Alg, Prob & Stats).

As for CS specific curriculum, there were 3 "core" freshman/sophomore classes required: one that focused on data structures, one on functional programming/inductive proofs, and one on systems level topics. From here other required courses included Algorithms, Operating Systems, Networks, and a collection of elective courses which were to be selected from. The areas included AI/ML, programming language design, databases, and systems/architecture courses.

 

[randumb]

CS requires the most math out of those. Besides the math requirements, many theoretical CS classes are essentially math classes. For example, my complexity theory class last semester was all proofs.