Comp Sci v. Comp Sci/Business Admin.

<p>Hey, I'm currently signed up for Computer Science at USC, but I've been curious about the Comp Sci/Business Admin major. I think it looks really interesting, but my dad thinks it would just water down the Computer Science major (which is what I'm mainly interested in). However, I think adding Business in would make my time a lot more interesting while giving me a good base for any business/management opportunities later on. Maybe minoring in business?</p>

<p>1) When you graduate with this major, do you get a degree in comp sci and business admin. or will your diploma say something like Comp. sci./ business admin., as if it were one, individual major?</p>

<p>2) Will this major still have the prestige as a major out of the school of Viterbi and Marshall? ( i'm not sure what college this major is under, Viterbi, Marshall, or both).</p>

<p>3) Does the major still cover the same info that would be covered if you took both of the majors, or double majored (i.e. are these just watered-down versions of Computer Science or Business). And, will you still have the same opportunaties offered by each school, like the great Marshall Alumni Network? (curious since the major has two majors in one).</p>

<p>Any info will help. Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>One thing I noticed in the Viterbi Engineering catalogue is you have to take some foreign language if you are a pure Computer Science major. However, if you are both Computer Science/Business major, you might not have to take computer language (check the flow chart of courses). Therefore, I suggest you ask yourself if you like foreign language better or business better? My guess is the kind of job you will end up will be different in those two different majors. What area of computer science do you see yourself down the road?
If you love programming and software development (more techie oriented), then I would suggest being a CS major. CS major will give you a lot of room to work in a wide variety of jobs. If you see yourself more of a business type of person, then pursue that double major. For example, if you want to work in software security, I would suggest the CS major. If you see yourself as a network administrator for a for profit private company, then maybe the other CS/Business would be better suited. The other two things you might want to discuss with your dad are: Will he pay for an undergrad major in CS and a masters in business administration? Two, wait to see where your fit is with the professors teaching style--you might like certain classes with certain professors which will direct you to a particular major.</p>

<p>I just finished my first year as a comp sci/ business major. The reason I chose to major in this was because a) I didn't want to just major in business since business is a pretty easy major b)an engineering background looks great for any job and c)this major gave me a lot more flexibility in career options right out of college than just a business major.</p>

<p>1)you will graduate with a "computer science/business administration" degree, since its a combined major.</p>

<p>2)This degree even has more prestige because you are under both schools. technically, the degree is offered through viterbi so you have to fulfill all of the engineering requirements, but since you have to be admitted by both marshall and viterbi to pursue this major, you have the resources of both schools open to you (like organizations that are specifically for students in either the business or engineering school, access to career fairs sponsored by either school designed specifically for viterbi students or marshall students, etc.)</p>

<p>3) The major isn't a "watered-down" version of either major, but they do cut away a few classes in both majors so that you can complete the degree in 4 years.</p>

<p>here are the links to the 4-year chart of classes and the general catalogue
USC</a> Catalogue: The Schools: USC Viterbi School of Engineering: Computer Science: Bachelor of Science
<a href="http://www.cs.usc.edu/current/undergrad/CSBA.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.cs.usc.edu/current/undergrad/CSBA.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>How does Comp. Sci/Business Admin compare to a full Computer Science major with Business minor? (or any other suggested relevant minors?)
My dad (who's in the Computer Science industry) says that you will have a lot more appeal to companies if you have a full Computer Science degree, as opposed to the split one, because it shows that you are more specifically trained.</p>

<p>The major drops from the "full" CS program are mostly non-"CS" stuff like calc 3 and the 2 semesters of computer architecture (basically, CPU design)</p>

<p>I did notice that operating systems (which some may consider a fundamental CS course) wasn't included. Doesn't mean you can't take it as an elective, though. :)</p>

<p>No clue on the biz part. You can major in CS / minor in business, also (engineering major/biz minor seems fairly popular)</p>