Computer science

[B0wRaiN]

Thinking about going to college for this but heard it was really hard. Any thoughts?

[iamthesgt]

Depends on where you get it (obviously). In my case, it was a math degree with an emphasis in computer science - any good CS degree will have a lot of math regardless of how they classify the degree, so make sure you're okay with that.

As far as the difficulty, it is a challenge, but if you're analytically minded you should be fine. It will just take some work. I'd be careful just picking it because you like computers - that's what I did and it's different than I expected. Still enjoyable at times, but annoying at others.

If you do go that route, I'd get some sort of CS-related job if possible. I got an internship doing programming and one of my classmates worked for a professor doing analytical research. Suffice to say, it's good to learn syntax and basic practices but an actual job will teach you so much more.

Kind of random thoughts, but that's my take. If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to answer them.

As far as overall difficulty, I'd give it a 6-7. Not as difficult as something complicated (or at least stereotypically complicated) as astrophysics, molecular biology, or chemical engineering, but more difficult than chemistry or IT and probably on a similar difficulty level as mechanical engineering (YMMV depending on your college, professors, length of time spent on degree, and you inclinations/learning style).

[B0wRaiN]

Thank you for the great info! My main concern was math it's always been one of my worst subjects but I just didn't apply myself in high school. I'm willing to learn it I just don't want something that may be out of my reach.

[iamthesgt]

Thank you for the great info! My main concern was math it's always been one of my worst subjects but I just didn't apply myself in high school. I'm willing to learn it I just don't want something that may be out of my reach.
Well you have to realize that high school math and college math are very different. I loved math in high school and for the most part I hated college math. Most high school math is computational, while most college math (with the exception of Calculus and differential equations) is theoretical (even Calc and Diff Eq are to some degree). It's certainly something you can pick up if you apply yourself - I definitely had to because I didn't pick up the theoretical stuff nearly as well as the computational stuff.