Majoring in CS?

[tim8604]

Hey guys. I recently got back from orientation at the University of Texas, where I will be enrolling in the fall. I am already registered for all of my classes and set to go in the major of Electrical Engineering; however, after much thought, I realized how much I enjoy programming and media design. I've been programming since 6th grade when someone showed me a copy of "nibbles" in qbasic. For some reason when I got to the point of choosing a major I just thought to myself, I really don't want to be sitting at a computer all day long day in and day out in some cubicle programming, so I went with Electronics which is one of my other hobbies. After buying a domain and working on a website for a while, I realized what I had been missing for so long, and decided to pick up programming again. Today I just read the article on gamespot about the history of valve and the way they got started, and the way all the members of the company interacted with programmers and artists alike. It was then I realized, a programmer is a part of a team, and that's something I want to be a part of. I was wondering if anyone here is currently at college in a CS program, or is out of college working for CS, and how it's going for you? I know trying to change majors right now will be very hard, so I want to make sure i'm making the right choice. Thanks!

btw, here's the article: http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/
(it's a very good read)

 

[Shuzer]

I have a major in Counter-Strike myself!

oh wait, what now? oh..

/me gets his coat

 

[Letters]

I have a major in Counter-Strike myself!

oh wait, what now? oh..

* Shuzer gets his coat

I considered Computer Science as a major for a bit... but everything I heard pointed to having difficulty actually getting a job... and with it being such a common thing to do nowadays... doesn't look like it's going to get any easier.

Plus, like you, I wanted something more exciting...

 

[Akrin]

I am a third year computing science major and I love it. The courses get progressively more interresting; to the point where you have to restrain yourself from taking too many in one semester.

If you aren't too sure about switching majors, over the next year you can:
(1) Take a cs course or two with your electrical engineering load.
(2) Talk to the professors in the cs faculty about :
.. (a) The upper level courses.
.. (b) Their research.
(3) Talk to other computing science students, both undergrad and grad.
(4) Talk to some advisors (if the university of texas has faculty specific advisors) in the computing science faculty.
Hopefully by the end of the year you'll be able to make a more informed decision.

 

[Javert]

Is UT very research/theoroetically based? The University I attend teaches you logic (hence Computer Science) and outdated languages first before getting to the applicable stuff. If that turns you off, you may want to take classes in the modern languages or teach yourself. CS is one of the more difficult majors in any university. Though I have no doubts to your work habits and intelligence, proceed with caution. Check with a counselor or an advisor in the CS department to find out if it's right for you.
Switching majors is difficult, but certainly not impossible considering your early start and the overlap between EE and CS.

Good Luck!

 

[Jmechy]

I just finished my first year as a compsci major, took all the "intro to programing" and "java for nubs" classes. I figured a year ago I'd only stick with it for a few quarters, but well, I'm still in the major, still wanting more and more. It has turned out to be very interesting and fun, and I'm glad I got into it.

 

[Onions]

I've done first year of BSc Computer Science at uni here in a scotland, going back to start second year in september. It's alright, i'm assured it gets better later on in the course. They use java at the uni for teaching us programming concepts, which is better than some i hear. Anyway, i say go for the cs major, better yet do it in scotland :E

 

[Rowd]

Choose the activity that you would rather do, rather than basing your decision on individual or team development. I'm a software engineer, and I can tell you that there are opportunities for both styles of development in the industry, and that is probably the case with electrical engineering also. Even in a small company where you might be the only programmer, you're still part of a project team - even if that's everyone else in the company. In a large company there's a lot of team interaction because of the complexity of people working on different aspects of a project at the same time. Just choose what you enjoy doing the most

 

[Cyanide]

Well, for one thing, you need to realize that there's no gaurantee you'll be programming for a game developer. I know that seems like the most prominant programming position to most of us here. But in reality, the vast majority of programmers are NOT game programmers. They're doing applications, or hardware specific programming, etc. If you want to major in CS, it would be best if you liked programming rather than making games, because they are not linked together. Many programmers really do just sit in a cubicle and work on their assigned problem for most of the day.

Also, be aware that CS majors are highly math intensive. I know the CS major here at PennState is about 2 classes away from a math major. Part of the reason I didn't go into CS is because I didn't like the idea of taking 5 Calc classes and 4 physics classes and a bunch of other math intensive stuff. I find those subjects interesting, but I also find classes in them to be tedious and mind-numbing most of the time. Not something I wanted to subject myself to for 4 years.

If your dream is to be a programmer for a game developement studio, then by all means pursue it. I'm sure that if it's what you really want to do, you will find a way to get there. Just know that it's likely you'll spend at least a few years floating around the job world before you've got the credentials most game developers look for in a programmer. That means a few years of programming stuff that's not nearly as fun as games. If you can handle all the math classes, and then handle the time trying to break into the industry, then by all means, go for it.

 

[qckbeam]

Well, a college degree is a very important asset for anyone looking to get into programming for a game development company, but what's even more important (and sought after) is experience. I know at first you'll probably wince, since it's a bit of a sticky situation. You can't get experience without work, and you can't get work without experience. However, work you do on your own, be it a mod, demos, whatever, will definitely get you more attention than a “piece of paper saying how great you are.” (The words of Rick Ellis from Valve software in regards to his thoughts on a college degree, not my own). You have to really want it bad to make it in the industry, and you have to prove your quality before you'll be given a position. Do everything you can on your own, and let college be the place to hone the skills you've already begun to nurture yourself.

 

[FictiousWill]

I are CS degree at uni! yayaya

 

[gh0st]

degree's arent as important as most people think. the best way to get into game design is by modifications. some gamespy article series highlighted that. very few people writing for gaming publications have journalism degree's. its all about who you know, and experience.

 

[Ansur]

These days it is adviced to have a degree I should say. Ofcourse, when you're like really awesome in what you do, gaming companies will hire you. But that's onloy for the very lucky few I guess...

 

[dfc05]

My sister is actually in Electrical Engineering at UT (she will be a sophomore this fall). I think she took a course on programming in C. Well, actually, I'm pretty sure she took a programming class. I'm not sure how far they got in that course (although I bet I could find some of the work they had to do), but I guess that's a sign that you can stick with electrical and maybe get into a little programming. I would check up on that though, as I wouldn't trust myself as a very good source of information .

 

[dassbaba]

Hey guys. I recently got back from orientation at the University of Texas, where I will be enrolling in the fall. I am already registered for all of my classes and set to go in the major of Electrical Engineering; however, after much thought, I realized how much I enjoy programming and media design. I've been programming since 6th grade when someone showed me a copy of "nibbles" in qbasic. For some reason when I got to the point of choosing a major I just thought to myself, I really don't want to be sitting at a computer all day long day in and day out in some cubicle programming, so I went with Electronics which is one of my other hobbies. After buying a domain and working on a website for a while, I realized what I had been missing for so long, and decided to pick up programming again. Today I just read the article on gamespot about the history of valve and the way they got started, and the way all the members of the company interacted with programmers and artists alike. It was then I realized, a programmer is a part of a team, and that's something I want to be a part of. I was wondering if anyone here is currently at college in a CS program, or is out of college working for CS, and how it's going for you? I know trying to change majors right now will be very hard, so I want to make sure i'm making the right choice. Thanks!

btw, here's the article: http://www.gamespot.com/features/halflife_final/
(it's a very good read)

errm read my reply fo sho

do not major in cs unless you plan on majoring in something else along with it! there are too many cs students going in than there are jobs

ask www.slashdot.org they had a great cs article a while back

 

[minidoad]

the worst part is when you do major and realize you hate it ^^
so tedious so boring so much documentation so many compilers so many options so many languages AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaa oh and you will allways be learning it

better make sure you love it first

 

[tim8604]

I'm pretty sure if I went into cs i'd also major in some kind of visual arts major as well. I have a pretty big background in 3d modeling / animation, along with web / print graphics from a small company I used to run. I figure by having a vast knowledge of 3d and CS, it would look pretty good on a resume. Thanks for all of the comments and tips!

 

[tim8604]

Just a little update, i've decided i'm going to switch to Computer Science and i'm going to visit the Natural Sciences Dean's office once school starts up to switch my major. I am somewhat worried about all of the math and physics classes though.. Wish me luck .

 

[Xaxor]

Not every CS major requires physics classes. You will have a few calculus classes no matter what. But if you were big in math and science and highschool, you should do fine. The one math class that caused me trouble was Discrete Math, but it's not impossible. I'm going into my fourth year at Kent State University and nothing has been impossibly difficult. It is pretty fun and rewarding. Of course the economy isn't so good with all sorts of companies offshoring IT and programming jobs. It isn't very big right now, but in four years, who knows. You might be safer sticking with electrical engineering and taking a minor in CS, but that's just me.

 

[C-O-N-Spiracy]

Well I'd love to work in the gaming industry. But unfortunately, i dont have the know how, experience, or anyone I know that can get me to where I need to start. The only thing I know to do is major in CS but what would I do with it if its hard to find jobs with that kind of education? Its about the only thing im interested in, however, i dont want to eventually have this kick-ass degree and still be working at McDonalds..

Maybe I'll just stay in the Air Force til I get a nice career in gaming.. atleast if I dont get into the industry, i would have something to look back on.

 

[Rafa 5.0]

I would like to work too, but it would get boring eventually.

 

[we11er]

CS courses vary alot, and I wouldn't listen to anyone saying that there are too many people with CS degrees (majors, whatever) - if you are a programmer, you will say so on your CV and the CS qualification will really help you out.

I've done one year of CS at warwick university here in the UK and it's pretty good. Lots of Maths but this is good stuff - you learn about optimisation, searching etc which are all important parts of programming, especially game programming.

So yeah I reckon you've made the right choice there. Once a programmer, always a programmer! Time to fish out QBasic for a trip down memory lane....

 

[Akrin]

...I wouldn't listen to anyone saying that there are too many people with CS degrees (majors, whatever)...

Shhh... its a conspiracy to stop more people from getting cs degrees.

Oh no, I've said too much... they're coming for me. *hides under the desk*

 

[Hoju]

I just graduated from A&M with an applied math degree. I started off however in CompEngr on the CompSci track and didn't like it at all. I went for the heavy math stuff and kept self teaching myself Java on the side.
I'm more interested in things like programming numerical analysis applications though. Most Comp Sci majors will get through a decent amount of math, usually up through an intro Diff Eq course, but that's still really basic. As previously stated, add in two more courses and you can go ahead and get a math minor.