I started a thread awhile back about Computer Engineering. I decided Im not going to lie to myself anymore and Im not going to try all the math. I know I wont make it.

What is the difference between Computer Science and I.T.??? Im in I.T. school now and I hate it! I hate that its all about networking and "teh internets". Im more interested in the Hardware and software of a computer.

Is that Computer Science??

What kind of job would I be getting w a Computer Science degree???

Thanks!

Also, Please respond in my other thread!! (Management)

_Dustin

 

Computer science is mostly for programming. You learn algorithms and data structures, which is geek-talk for how you make the computer do things and store things.

There isn't THAT much math involved...most of the important stuff in math is about how to count (I'm not kidding) and logic.

Computer programmers don't make that much money to start unless you'r really smart and really good. It is pretty low-stress if you don't end up working in some nazi-like corporate environment or get a project manager from hell.

I.T. has many different roles, but the main one people end up doing is very heavy in networking. That means you plan the network, acquire the hardware/software, and implement the network you planned. Then you support a bunch of people who know nothing about computers and seem to TRY to make your life impossible.

I.T. pays really well, mostly because you're usually the only guy in the company who knows what you're doing (or just knows a little more then everyone else).

Being interested in computer hardware and software is a very broad statement. What exactly is it you like to do? There are many jobs that involve computers, but don't require a CS degree. For example, Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, 3D Modeling, etc. There are lots of careers the require heavy use of computers...

 

You do usually have to take Calculus 1+2+3(+4 maybe), Discrete Math, Engineering Statistics, and Linear Algebra. You can double major in math with only a few additional classes. Not that any of this is usefull for most programming(I've only used it for 3D Graphics).

And programming pays very well starting out compared to MANY other careers that require a degree - as long as you live in a good area.

Aside from being a Software Engineer, a CS degree can prepare you for being a System Administrator, Software Tester, Database Administrator, Sales Engineer, or many other roles. The math sucks! Especially since you know you probably won't use it. It's just something you have to do to show you have some discipline.

 

I've taught math for computer science majors - mainly discrete math, combinatorics, linear algebra, probability. The math doesn't suck, and if you're not using it you're probably not earning as much as you could be.

I would much rather hire a mathematics major and have to teach him how to program a computer than hire a computer science major and have to teach him mathematics. I've developed software for GPS and deep-ocean transponder (DOT) navigation, for writing programs for CNC machinery, for analyzing mortgage securities, for estimating cost and schedule risk, and for optimal allocation of assets in a portfolio. I have found it appalling how poor the average computer science major - or the average business major, for that matter - is at mathematics.

 

As other posters have said, not much math is involved in programming (perhaps that's what you meant). But in order to obtain an engineering degree, there's heck of a lot of math. Most engineering degrees, computer science or not, require many math courses.

OP, if you're not that good at math, don't kill yourself over it. Do something else, because it'd be hell for you to obtain an engineering degree with so much math involved. There are hundreds of other fields that don't require too much math, including the "almighty" medical field.

I was a solid A-student in Calculus 1 & 2, but when came higher mathematics, it was kind of hell, A grade turned into Bs and Cs (but mostly Bs). Btw, I was a mathlete in high school and we got to state's semifinals.

 

[QUOTE=magician,Dec 4 2006, 11:35 PM] I've taught math for computer science majors - mainly discrete math, combinatorics, linear algebra, probability.

 

i have a CS degree. definitely had to take a lot of math...some of it pretty difficult. however, i don't really use any math at work except some boolean algebra, like the above poster mentioned. it is true...if you don't use, you lose it...haha. but i'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to pick back up. like that pi approximation example in that other thread...should've figured that out within a few minutes of looking at it, but i've become retarded from my field of work.

 

I have a MIS degree and have been out of college 2 years and working for IBM now.
it's not as heavy into programming and math like CS.
it's more 50/50 with business and IT.

I say you go that route if you don't like the programming and hardcore math, you will still have to take intro to programming and business math all the way to cal 2 instead of cal for math and science majors.
another thing, if you want to get a job straight out of college, go learn unix, linux or aix, if u want to be in sys admin jobs and pick up lots of networking skills.

The IT world isn't as simple as your home pc and windows, you actually have to know what you want to do and how to do it.
if you want to stick with windows, take a course, mscse and get certified and look for corporations that are windows based, more of your smaller operations to be honest, majority of the corporations are on unix,linux or aix.

It's a really difficult field and really hard to get a job and isn't very rewarding, so you really have to be into it to enjoy it and worry about your job being outsourced.

 

I think I would add that a lot depends on the school you go to. Some places teach you the fundamental skills and building blocks(algorithms, data structures and their analysis/design) needed to solve problems. 'Real' problem solving is sort of left as an exercise for the student

You also get schools thats teach more real world problem solving, how do I code a web page in ASP or work with a MS SQL db, for example. Something you can immidiately use.

Is your school more theory or hands-on experience based? What I can tell you is a decent theory school does a very nice job of preparing you for the "real world"(provided some part of your brain survives trials by alcohol ), even if the learning part can be a stone cold bitch at times. Oh and you DO get lots and lots of math, loved linear algebra for some reason...

 

I hated computer science. I entered college with that major. I saw all those smelly geeks do their programs in 10 min while I'm reading the book and doing test compilations. It took me an hour to do my intro program. It was just a simple calculator program too. That's why I switched to bio. I'm pretty good with math though. What a waste.