Hello i am turning 26 this year and want to go to community college and then transfer to get a b.s. in computer science. I’m not sure what courses i should take in community college and even if i am too old to have a real shot at getting a decent job when i am done. I know absolutely no programming. I am starting to learn c++ at home and its interesting. Can anyone do computer science? Do you have to be creative as i am not. I really just dont know if this is a smart decision. Obviously its a good idea to go to school, and im certain i want to pursue computer science. I also have a few criminal blemishes for stuff like DUI and simple assualt. Will this kill my future employment?
The key to doing a 2+2 (2 years at CC, 2 at Univ) for computer science is that you CANNOT take more than 3 CS courses that will actually transfer to a university. The 3 are:
Programming I (Object-Oriented Programming in Java or C++ or Python, etc)
Programming II (Object-Oriented Programming in Java or C++ or Python, etc)
Discrete Structures (might be also called Discrete Math)
That’s it as far as transferable CS courses. Most universities are NOT taking more than those 3 CS courses.
As far as other course for your first two years:
Calculus I
Calculus II
Linear Algebra
Science course - Non Lab (usually Physics I)
Science course - With Lab (usually Physics II)
Art & Humanities (2 or 3 courses)
Social Science (2 or 3 courses)
Since you stated that you had NO programming, I would advise taking whatever beginning programming course that is a prerequisite for the Programming I course that I stated. Since that would be a 4th CS course (chances are that it won’t transfer as CS but for elective credit), you can still fit it in your 2-year community college program.
One IMPORTANT NOTE: try to have some universities in mind for possible transfer so you can talk with them on what they will transfer over.
If you’re heading to an in-state school after cc, there should be an articulation agreement in place. You can look and see exactly how each of your cc courses transfer and what requirements they may or may not fulfill.