CLA v CSE

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I am intending on applying to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for computer science this fall and would like to know if anyone can tell me the differences between the programs in the college of liberal arts and the college of science and engineering. The only difference I can see is that CLA requires a language for 2 years and CSE requires a few science courses and extra math.</p>

<p>Do employeers in general prefer one over the other?</p>

<p>Would I have the same professors as people in the corresponding college, or are all classes completely separate?</p>

<p>Which would offer the better experience in computer science?</p>

<p>Typically computer sciences would be in CSE but as you said there is also a BA in computer science. CSE has a special calculus sequence that is pretty much restricted to CSE students. You would take very similar classes with the exception of the language requirement and the CSE calculus sequence. I don’t think employers would really care or notice. I’m not sure but there may be certain opportunities that are only available to CSE students [CLA probably has different opportunities but those are unlikely to be of as much interest to computer science majors]. Similar questions have been asked before on this forum and you might want to search for them. You probably will want to apply to CSE with CLA as your second choice. As CSE is more selective it’s possible depending on your stats you will only be accepted to CLA. That’s probably not ideal but it’s not a major issue.</p>

<p>Computer Science by itself already makes a good deal of money, even getting your degree at the CLA will get you closer to 6 figures a lot quicker than most kids who aren’t majoring in sciences or business. Obviously CSE is ideal, but it’s not like there’s a surplus of Comp Sci majors out of work (there’s a lot you can do with a general major like that), I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>