<p>I'm an undergraduate Linguistics and German double major with minors in Computer Science and Math. I'm starting to think about what I want to do after I graduate (not for a couple years, but still), and I'm thinking Computational Linguistics. Yet I'm having a hard time finding out if I'll have enough experience with programming by the time I graduate, as I'll only be taking five CS classes for the minor. I'm probably worrying a bit too early, but I've read about NLP and have really taken a liking to it, and I want some sort of idea of where I stand as far as competitiveness goes for a Computational Linguistics program. So...does anyone know any resources or anything? Will a minor in CS suffice, or do grad schools typically want to see more experience with programming? Thanks to anyone who can give me any advice/resources :X</p>
<p>Well, have you taken advanced classes like mathematical logic, artificial intelligence, complexity/computability, or what not (or will you have taken them before you graduate)? Computational linguistics looks to me like an application of computer science, so I guess you probably need an equivalent of a basic CS major background to suffice.</p>
<p>As for programming, I don’t think it matters a great deal since it’s something so basic that people should feel reasonably comfortable in before they apply to CS grad schools.</p>
<p>See that’s the thing. I’m approaching Computational Linguistics from the Linguistics side, as I’m a Linguistics major. So I have much more experience with courses like Phonological Analysis, Intro to Semantics, Computational Principles of Linguistics, etc. As for Computer Science courses, I’ll have taken a class on programming in Python, Java, and then classes on Data Structures and Operating Systems. For Math, I’ll have 2 semesters of Calc, a class on Algorithms, and one on Discrete Math. But that’s about it. I won’t really have the room in my schedule to do any of the higher level Math or CS classes, as I’m not majoring in CS. </p>
<p>I’m just wondering if a Linguistics major with some background in CS and Math stands a shot at such a program.</p>
<p>I’d say a Linguistics/Computer Science double major and a minor in German+Math perhaps? :p</p>
<p>But still, Computational Linguistics IS about approaching Linguistics from a computational perspective.</p>
<p>Trust me, I definitely wanted to do that, but my school has a crazy list of requirements for a CS major, and I wouldn’t be able to complete them all in the time I have left, even if I don’t minor in anything. And I don’t really want to stay another year. Oh well, thanks for the input :-/</p>
<p>but still, you don’t HAVE to have a major in computer science. I mean, you can simply take as many CS classes related to your interest as you like but not have a major in it. For instance, you can ignore classes like Operating System, Computer Architecture, etc etc. Grad schools will look at your transcript and decide for themselves whether or not you have the appropriate background. Any way, you should probably ask your advisor (at NYU?) for what you need to do to stand a shot at CS grad schools specialized in Computational Linguistics.</p>
<p>My advisor hasn’t been particularly helpful, but I think there are walk-in hours for general linguistics advisors or something, so I’ll try that. Also, a lot of Computational Linguistics programs are in Linguistics departments at grad schools, so I’m wondering if that makes a difference? Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>And on a random, not highly important side note: I meant to include the Algorithms class among the CS classes I’ll be taking, not Math.</p>
<p>Yes. I think you should definitely take as many of the foundational/theoretical classes in computer science as you can along with your proper Linguistics curriculum.</p>
<p>Have you checked out the computational linguistics program here?</p>
<p>[UW</a> Professional Master’s in Computational Linguistics - Home](<a href=“http://www.compling.washington.edu/compling/]UW”>http://www.compling.washington.edu/compling/)</p>
<p>I am currently doing a graduate degree in computational linguistics there and my undergrad was in linguistics. The only programming classes I took in undergrad were Intro Programming 1 and 2. After I entered the program, I took a data structures class as well. With your CS minor, you should be fine.</p>