9 answers
Alex
Student
Jonesboro
1
Question
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How rigorous are computer science degrees?
How long on average does it take to get a job after completing said degree?
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9 answers
Daria Mikita
55
Answers
Gdańsk, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Daria’s Answer
Computer science degrees can vary in terms of rigor depending on the institution and program you choose. However, in general, computer science degrees are known for their academic rigor and technical demands. Here are some factors that contribute to the overall rigor of computer science degrees:
1. Math and Theoretical Foundations: Computer science involves a strong foundation in mathematics and theoretical concepts. Courses such as discrete mathematics, calculus, algorithms, and data structures require logical thinking and abstract problem-solving skills.
2. Programming and Coding: Computer science degrees emphasize programming skills. You'll engage in hands-on coding assignments, projects, and labs that require attention to detail, debugging, and the ability to translate algorithms into functional code.
3. Complex Problem Solving: Computer science degrees train you to analyze and solve complex problems systematically. You'll learn how to break down problems into smaller components, design efficient algorithms, and optimize solutions.
4. Theory and Concepts: Computer science programs often include courses on computer architecture, operating systems, databases, networking, artificial intelligence, and other specialized areas. These courses delve into theoretical concepts and require a deep understanding of the underlying principles.
5. Project Work and Collaborations: Group projects and collaborations are common in computer science degrees. Working as part of a team to develop software applications or solve real-world problems adds an additional layer of complexity and demands effective communication and teamwork skills.
6. Research and Innovation: Some computer science programs offer research opportunities, where students can engage in cutting-edge research projects. These opportunities require a high level of rigor, independent thinking, and the ability to contribute to the field's advancements.
7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Computer science is a rapidly evolving field. Keeping up with new technologies, programming languages, frameworks, and industry trends requires a commitment to lifelong learning. A rigorous computer science degree prepares you to adapt and continuously update your skills.
It's important to note that while computer science degrees can be challenging, they also offer valuable skills and knowledge that can lead to rewarding career opportunities. The level of rigor can vary between institutions, so it's crucial to research and choose a program that aligns with your goals and learning preferences.
1. Math and Theoretical Foundations: Computer science involves a strong foundation in mathematics and theoretical concepts. Courses such as discrete mathematics, calculus, algorithms, and data structures require logical thinking and abstract problem-solving skills.
2. Programming and Coding: Computer science degrees emphasize programming skills. You'll engage in hands-on coding assignments, projects, and labs that require attention to detail, debugging, and the ability to translate algorithms into functional code.
3. Complex Problem Solving: Computer science degrees train you to analyze and solve complex problems systematically. You'll learn how to break down problems into smaller components, design efficient algorithms, and optimize solutions.
4. Theory and Concepts: Computer science programs often include courses on computer architecture, operating systems, databases, networking, artificial intelligence, and other specialized areas. These courses delve into theoretical concepts and require a deep understanding of the underlying principles.
5. Project Work and Collaborations: Group projects and collaborations are common in computer science degrees. Working as part of a team to develop software applications or solve real-world problems adds an additional layer of complexity and demands effective communication and teamwork skills.
6. Research and Innovation: Some computer science programs offer research opportunities, where students can engage in cutting-edge research projects. These opportunities require a high level of rigor, independent thinking, and the ability to contribute to the field's advancements.
7. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Computer science is a rapidly evolving field. Keeping up with new technologies, programming languages, frameworks, and industry trends requires a commitment to lifelong learning. A rigorous computer science degree prepares you to adapt and continuously update your skills.
It's important to note that while computer science degrees can be challenging, they also offer valuable skills and knowledge that can lead to rewarding career opportunities. The level of rigor can vary between institutions, so it's crucial to research and choose a program that aligns with your goals and learning preferences.
Laquitta DeMerchant
Account Partner
18
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Laquitta’s Answer
Indeed, it's a tough journey. But remember, with a combination of dedication, concentration, and effective time management, you can certainly pave your way to success.
Srinivasan Venkatarajan
Azure Data & AI - Partner Sales
5
Answers
Princeton, New Jersey
Updated
Srinivasan’s Answer
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S. Computer Science) program is renowned for its intellectual challenges. It often encompasses advanced math subjects, which are instrumental in honing problem-solving skills, grasping data structures and algorithms, and mastering various facets of computer science. This solid grounding in mathematics will significantly enhance your overall comprehension of the discipline.
Beyond mathematics, computer science programs also underscore the importance of logical reasoning skills. You'll acquire the ability to think in a critical and analytical manner, which is vital for devising efficient algorithms and developing software that fulfills specific needs.
Programming is the beating heart of computer science education. You'll be tasked with gaining expertise in one or more programming languages, such as Java, Python, C++, or others, depending on your program's syllabus. These languages act as conduits for transforming your problem-solving capabilities into operational software.
Opting to specialize within the Computer Science major often entails choosing elective courses. Depending on your preferred specialization, you may come across additional math subjects in these electives. The freedom to mold your education to suit your passions and career aspirations is a precious feature of computer science programs.
To gear up for career prospects post-degree, it's crucial to embrace coding challenges and partake in activities like hackathons. These experiences will fine-tune your programming skills and problem-solving prowess, making you a formidable contender in the job market.
While the present job market for computer science professionals brims with opportunities, it's important to remember that competition is also on the rise. Therefore, standing out is key, and this can be achieved not just by academic excellence, but also by constructing a robust portfolio of personal projects and hands-on experience.
In a nutshell, a computer science degree, though demanding, is immensely gratifying. It arms you with the skills and knowledge required to flourish in a range of tech-centric careers. As you gear up to step into the job market, concentrate on lifelong learning, networking, and demonstrating your practical skills to distinguish yourself from the competition.
Beyond mathematics, computer science programs also underscore the importance of logical reasoning skills. You'll acquire the ability to think in a critical and analytical manner, which is vital for devising efficient algorithms and developing software that fulfills specific needs.
Programming is the beating heart of computer science education. You'll be tasked with gaining expertise in one or more programming languages, such as Java, Python, C++, or others, depending on your program's syllabus. These languages act as conduits for transforming your problem-solving capabilities into operational software.
Opting to specialize within the Computer Science major often entails choosing elective courses. Depending on your preferred specialization, you may come across additional math subjects in these electives. The freedom to mold your education to suit your passions and career aspirations is a precious feature of computer science programs.
To gear up for career prospects post-degree, it's crucial to embrace coding challenges and partake in activities like hackathons. These experiences will fine-tune your programming skills and problem-solving prowess, making you a formidable contender in the job market.
While the present job market for computer science professionals brims with opportunities, it's important to remember that competition is also on the rise. Therefore, standing out is key, and this can be achieved not just by academic excellence, but also by constructing a robust portfolio of personal projects and hands-on experience.
In a nutshell, a computer science degree, though demanding, is immensely gratifying. It arms you with the skills and knowledge required to flourish in a range of tech-centric careers. As you gear up to step into the job market, concentrate on lifelong learning, networking, and demonstrating your practical skills to distinguish yourself from the competition.
A K
Software Engineer
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
A’s Answer
Computer science degrees are very rigorous and challenging. An in depth knowledge in Math and analytical thinking is essential in pursuing a computer science degree and career.
Celeste Dyrbye-Wright
back-end software development
10
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Celeste’s Answer
Hi! I went to Paul G Allen School of Computer Science at the University of Washington. Surprisingly, it always rates as one of if not the top school for computer science in the world. Here's a little about my experience :
1) NO MORE THAN 2 CSE CLASSES AT A TIME! because...
2) each class is roughly 20 hours per lab, which usually occur bi-weekly.
3) go to office hours! especially your first couple years. It's a great way to get to know the people in your major and work together to figure out programming assignments (and get help from wonderful TA's).
4) once you know some people in your major, try to take classes together so you can be lab partners with someone you trust. Nothing is worse than someone not pulling their weight on a very complicated assignment.
5) Take a balanced schedule. If you end up using your left side of the brain for all 3-5 classes, you're going to burn out real quick.
6) Do not underestimate the importance of English. You do not want to be that new hire who doesn't know how to give a presentation or write a good paper. Programmers spend a lot of time writing up documentation and communicating their inventions and projects to others.
7) Take care of yourself. A healthy brain is a lot more useful than a sleep deprived, starved, burnt out, vitamin D deficient brain.
8) if you don't learn from lectures, you don't need to go to lectures. I wish I had learnt this earlier.
9) have a disability? GET ACCOMODATIONS! disabilities include invisible ones: ADHD, dyslexia, autism, depression (greatly impacts recall ability.), anxiety. It is a bit of a pain to get set up but here are the perks:
a) you get to sign up for classes in the first group (disability students and athletes) say goodbye to the stress of waking up at 4 AM to register.
b) you can take tests in a quite environment. Usually this happens in the disability services office, but it may occur in designated classrooms as well.
c) extra time is NOT unfair. Anxiety and depression are the leading causes of disability worldwide. When I'm stressed, I forget how to read. I need that extra time to form sentences. My memory recall is significantly damaged. I need time for answers to come to me. if you have a disability, go through the process of applying and asking your doctor to fill out the paperwork. It is not an unfair advantage to get the accommodations you need to succeed.
10) internships! These are great ways to investigate job experiences in specific areas of computer science. Usually, people try and get one during the summer between their junior and senior year. Most of the time, it isn't until then that you have enough of the CSE classes completed to be desirable to companies. If you can get an internship between your sophomore and junior year, go for it. That way, if you don't like it, you have another opportunity before you have to chose where to work. Internships are necessary resume builders, and it's a total plus if they lead into a full-time job, because then you have one less thing to worry about.
1) NO MORE THAN 2 CSE CLASSES AT A TIME! because...
2) each class is roughly 20 hours per lab, which usually occur bi-weekly.
3) go to office hours! especially your first couple years. It's a great way to get to know the people in your major and work together to figure out programming assignments (and get help from wonderful TA's).
4) once you know some people in your major, try to take classes together so you can be lab partners with someone you trust. Nothing is worse than someone not pulling their weight on a very complicated assignment.
5) Take a balanced schedule. If you end up using your left side of the brain for all 3-5 classes, you're going to burn out real quick.
6) Do not underestimate the importance of English. You do not want to be that new hire who doesn't know how to give a presentation or write a good paper. Programmers spend a lot of time writing up documentation and communicating their inventions and projects to others.
7) Take care of yourself. A healthy brain is a lot more useful than a sleep deprived, starved, burnt out, vitamin D deficient brain.
8) if you don't learn from lectures, you don't need to go to lectures. I wish I had learnt this earlier.
9) have a disability? GET ACCOMODATIONS! disabilities include invisible ones: ADHD, dyslexia, autism, depression (greatly impacts recall ability.), anxiety. It is a bit of a pain to get set up but here are the perks:
a) you get to sign up for classes in the first group (disability students and athletes) say goodbye to the stress of waking up at 4 AM to register.
b) you can take tests in a quite environment. Usually this happens in the disability services office, but it may occur in designated classrooms as well.
c) extra time is NOT unfair. Anxiety and depression are the leading causes of disability worldwide. When I'm stressed, I forget how to read. I need that extra time to form sentences. My memory recall is significantly damaged. I need time for answers to come to me. if you have a disability, go through the process of applying and asking your doctor to fill out the paperwork. It is not an unfair advantage to get the accommodations you need to succeed.
10) internships! These are great ways to investigate job experiences in specific areas of computer science. Usually, people try and get one during the summer between their junior and senior year. Most of the time, it isn't until then that you have enough of the CSE classes completed to be desirable to companies. If you can get an internship between your sophomore and junior year, go for it. That way, if you don't like it, you have another opportunity before you have to chose where to work. Internships are necessary resume builders, and it's a total plus if they lead into a full-time job, because then you have one less thing to worry about.
Randy Balram
Technology
4
Answers
Ashton-Sandy Spring, Maryland
Updated
Randy’s Answer
Studying for a computer science degree can be a challenging but rewarding journey. The intensity of these programs can change based on a few factors, like the school you're attending, the specific courses you're taking, whether you're an undergraduate or graduate student, and how much effort you personally put into your studies. But generally speaking, computer science degrees are pretty tough because they deal with complex technical topics.
Here's a peek into what makes computer science degrees so challenging:
1. **Math Magic:** Computer science is like a magic show where math is the magician. It's filled with subjects like discrete mathematics, calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, and algorithms analysis. These topics give you the tools to understand how computers solve problems.
2. **Coding Craze:** Most computer science degrees get you up close and personal with programming and software development. You'll learn different programming languages, understand how data structures and algorithms work, get a grip on software engineering principles, and see how they apply in the real world.
3. **Conceptual Clarity:** You'll dive deep into the theoretical side of computer science, exploring topics like computer architecture, operating systems, databases, networking, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. Grasping these concepts is key to coming up with new ideas and solutions in the field.
4. **Problem-Solving Prowess:** Computer science degrees are all about sharpening your problem-solving skills and critical thinking. You'll work on complex projects, tackle real-life problems, and use your theoretical knowledge to find solutions.
5. **Lab Love and Project Passion:** Many programs include lab sessions, projects, and assignments that let you put your theoretical knowledge to the test in practical situations. These projects could be anything from creating software applications to doing research-oriented tasks.
6. **Lifelong Learning:** Computer science is a field that's always changing, so students are encouraged to keep up with the latest technologies, trends, and research. This often means continuing to learn even after you've finished your formal education.
7. **Teamwork Triumphs:** Many computer science programs focus on teamwork by getting students involved in group projects, team-based assignments, or coding competitions. This mirrors what it's like to work in the real world.
In a nutshell, computer science degrees are a tough but rewarding challenge. They mix theoretical concepts with practical implementation, problem-solving skills, and the need to keep up with ever-changing technologies. If you're thinking about studying in this field, be ready to put in a lot of time and effort to succeed.
Here's a peek into what makes computer science degrees so challenging:
1. **Math Magic:** Computer science is like a magic show where math is the magician. It's filled with subjects like discrete mathematics, calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, and algorithms analysis. These topics give you the tools to understand how computers solve problems.
2. **Coding Craze:** Most computer science degrees get you up close and personal with programming and software development. You'll learn different programming languages, understand how data structures and algorithms work, get a grip on software engineering principles, and see how they apply in the real world.
3. **Conceptual Clarity:** You'll dive deep into the theoretical side of computer science, exploring topics like computer architecture, operating systems, databases, networking, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. Grasping these concepts is key to coming up with new ideas and solutions in the field.
4. **Problem-Solving Prowess:** Computer science degrees are all about sharpening your problem-solving skills and critical thinking. You'll work on complex projects, tackle real-life problems, and use your theoretical knowledge to find solutions.
5. **Lab Love and Project Passion:** Many programs include lab sessions, projects, and assignments that let you put your theoretical knowledge to the test in practical situations. These projects could be anything from creating software applications to doing research-oriented tasks.
6. **Lifelong Learning:** Computer science is a field that's always changing, so students are encouraged to keep up with the latest technologies, trends, and research. This often means continuing to learn even after you've finished your formal education.
7. **Teamwork Triumphs:** Many computer science programs focus on teamwork by getting students involved in group projects, team-based assignments, or coding competitions. This mirrors what it's like to work in the real world.
In a nutshell, computer science degrees are a tough but rewarding challenge. They mix theoretical concepts with practical implementation, problem-solving skills, and the need to keep up with ever-changing technologies. If you're thinking about studying in this field, be ready to put in a lot of time and effort to succeed.
Sneha N
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
If you're an undergrad student, it takes about 4 years in the United states to complete a Computer science degree. In terms of how rigorous, it's pretty relative, there are some subjects like Algorithms or Computer Systems which is generally considered a bit more challenging than others. But you also get the option to pick out electives and that gives you more control on the direction you want to proceed with.
Apply for internships, they lay down an excellent foundation for what a corporate experience would look like.
If you're applying for a Graduate program like Masters, and you'e not from a computer science background, it may get challenging but many universities have 'Align' programs that help people from non-tech background to transition smoothly.
Hope this helps!
Apply for internships, they lay down an excellent foundation for what a corporate experience would look like.
If you're applying for a Graduate program like Masters, and you'e not from a computer science background, it may get challenging but many universities have 'Align' programs that help people from non-tech background to transition smoothly.
Hope this helps!
Carolyn Hosenfeld
Medical Laboratory Scientist and Assistant Clinical Professor
12
Answers
Bowling Green, Ohio
Updated
Carolyn’s Answer
Hi Alex,
Though I'm not a computer science graduate, my spouse is. When considering four-year programs, you'll find that many institutions offer both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science. The BS route usually includes more math, natural sciences, and advanced computer science electives, even offering the opportunity to specialize in a particular area if you wish. On the other hand, the BA route, while still providing a solid foundation in computer science, allows for the incorporation of interdisciplinary studies. An associate's degree is also a fantastic choice!
Every person I've encountered who has pursued a career in computer science has been successful in finding immediate employment - many even secured jobs before their graduation. The field can be as broad or as specific as you would like. My spouse currently leads the national IT department for a company and has the luxury of working from home. He finds it extremely rewarding.
Wishing you and all others venturing into this ever-growing field the very best of luck!
Though I'm not a computer science graduate, my spouse is. When considering four-year programs, you'll find that many institutions offer both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science. The BS route usually includes more math, natural sciences, and advanced computer science electives, even offering the opportunity to specialize in a particular area if you wish. On the other hand, the BA route, while still providing a solid foundation in computer science, allows for the incorporation of interdisciplinary studies. An associate's degree is also a fantastic choice!
Every person I've encountered who has pursued a career in computer science has been successful in finding immediate employment - many even secured jobs before their graduation. The field can be as broad or as specific as you would like. My spouse currently leads the national IT department for a company and has the luxury of working from home. He finds it extremely rewarding.
Wishing you and all others venturing into this ever-growing field the very best of luck!
Anh Ngo
Sr Software/Firmware Engineer
8
Answers
Redmond, Washington
Updated
Anh’s Answer
The best way to get a job right after graduation is to sign up for internships before you graduate. It gives you the opportunity to earn real world experience and you typically get the job from the same company. Some students actually finished 2 internships before graduation. If you already graduated and couldn't find a job, then go back to school to get a master-degree and try to get an internship again.