Any cognitive science majors here?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
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<p>I applied to UCLA and UCSD as a transfer for Cognitive Science. Got into SD today (!!). If I do choose to submit my SIR to UCSD, I'll be going for a specialization in Human Computer Interaction as I'm interested in doing work with programming/user-experience after graduation.</p>

<p>My main concern with UCLA (should I get in) is that I won't have enough programming experience to be employable as a programmer after graduation. I've looked at the course reqs at UCLA, and I just don't see much depth in the PIC classes.</p>

<p>I know it's a bit early to be considering all this since I haven't even gotten into LA yet, but I'm just a little curious as to what UCLA cogsci majors do after graduation. Is anyone here a cogsci major at UCLA? If so, could you please give me a little insight on why LA might, in fact, be a good choice for someone looking to work with the computational aspects of cognitive science after grad?</p>

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<p>congrats on sd :D</p>

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<p>I know that psychology/cog sci/psychobio majors can get a computing specialization. This website has the requirements for the computing specializations. </p>

<p>[Specialization</a> in Computing — UCLA Psychology Department: Home](<a href=“http://www.psych.ucla.edu/undergraduate/services/majors-minors/specialization-in-computing]Specialization”>http://www.psych.ucla.edu/undergraduate/services/majors-minors/specialization-in-computing)</p>

<p>You can visit this website to get an idea of what each of the computing classes covers and see if they cover what you need. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/archive/catalog/2011-12/uclageneralcatalog11-12.pdf[/url]”>http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/archive/catalog/2011-12/uclageneralcatalog11-12.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>You could always changed to CS if you are accepted here and really like programming.
You’d have to switch early though because the major is long.</p>

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<p>Going to school to learn programming is one thing, and actually getting work experience in it is another. There have been numerous articles written about the subject (see: [This</a> TechCrunch Article](<a href=“http://techcrunch.com/2011/05/07/why-the-new-guy-cant-code/]This”>Why The New Guy Can't Code | TechCrunch)) and all I can say is… there will never be a replacement for actual experience on the job.</p>

<p>So don’t worry too much. To land a kickass job nowadays, you usually need to put out some open-source work on GitHub, and have a decent StackOverflow account.</p>

<p>If you can do both, then rest assured, you are already a leg up over your peers in college who just do their CS homework.</p>

<p>Congrats on SD, and best of luck for UCLA!</p>