<p>Got admitted to BS CS bioinformatics at UCSD. so now trying to understand how what does that specialization really means in terms of:
1. Academic Difficulty. Bioinformatics require 150+ units while regular CS requires about 125, so it is much harder?
2. Does it affect graduating in 4 years
3. Is there difference in GE requirements (Warren college)
4. How does it affect internship and eventually job chances
5. What will be the impact of grad school admissions for MS in CS
6. Both are impacted, so how easy is it to change for BS CS with bioinformatics specialization to just BS CS?
7. Any other factors should I be considering?</p>
<p>Thank you for any pointer, opinions and help.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The amount of units doesn’t really tell you anything about the difficulty of the major. It really just depends on what your strengths and interests are. CS Bioinformatics major includes a good number of biology courses and a bioinformatics series, while the CS major includes mainly CS classes. If you’re good at biology, then the Bioinformatics major will probably be easier. If you prefer the CS side of things, then the CS major will probably be easier for you.</p></li>
<li><p>Make a 4 year plan with each one for the college that you have, and see what you would have to do to graduate in four years. The CSE department and your college will probably have 4 year plans to help you. It is possible to graduate in 4 years in any major, but a number of things can affect whether or not that actually happens and those are mostly dependent on you.</p></li>
<li><p>Engineering majors (BS) are allowed to do area studies instead of programs of concentrations for Warren GEs. See their website for more information. Either CS or CS/bioinformatics should allow you to do this, so switching between either of them won’t affect your GEs.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends on what internship and what you want to do. If you want to go into bioinformatics, the CS/bioinformatics major will help. If you want to do something on the CS side of things, than a CS major will help. It will also matter what courses you have taken, what languages you know, what you’re experience in CS is (inside and outside of the classroom), and any previous work experience you have.</p></li>
<li><p>Depends on the program. Check programs of interest to see if they have any requirements for your application, including courses, research experience, internship experience, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much about grad school right now though. I’d highly recommend you get some work experience and see if you actually need to get a graduate degree to do what you want to do. You may even get a job with a company that will help you fund a graduate degree. Keep your grades up, and get more experience to see if you really need to get a graduate degree right away.</p></li>
<li><p>The CS department says that you can switch within CS impacted majors (<a href=“http://cse.ucsd.edu/ImpactedMajor”>http://cse.ucsd.edu/ImpactedMajor</a>). It shouldn’t be a problem, but I would recommend you do it sooner rather than later in case they change things.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@baktrax, thank you. That helps a lot.</p>