<p>Would it be wise to double major in computer science and economics? In the future, I want to be a software engineer. Would having a BS in economics help make me stand out from all the applicants to top companies such as Google and Microsoft? What are the pros and cons of having the double major?</p>
<p>Pros: economics rules</p>
<p>Cons: won’t help with your CS much, if at all.</p>
<p>If your goal is to work for Microsoft or Google, why go for Economics?</p>
<p>I think the best pairing would be Math + CS. Or Physics, perhaps.</p>
<p>A double major in CS and math would be ideal for a software engineer, correct?</p>
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<p>Yes, but no need to totally double major. Make use of the “cross-listed” courses that are offered by both departments and let them double count. Therefore, you can still take both majors with 120-semester/180-quarter credits.</p>
<p>CS + economics may be helpful mainly if you seek computer jobs in the financial industry.</p>
<p>CS + math may help for certain math courses and certain areas of CS (e.g. algebra and number theory with respect to cryptography).</p>
<p>However, it may be simpler to just major in CS and take elective math and/or economics courses of your choice as applicable to your career goals.</p>
<p>I second the recommendation for CS+Econ, especially if you are interested in the financial services industry [So</a> you want to work in Financial IT: Course work for the technology student | Holowczak.com](<a href=“http://holowczak.com/work-financial-it-coursework/]So”>So you want to work in Financial IT: Course work for the technology student – Holowczak.com Tutorials)
If anything it will help you understand the world from an economic perspective.</p>
<p>OTOH, if you are keen on game development, a pairing with physics would likely be the way to go.</p>
<p>Lots of other interesting pairings as well: C.S. with Chem = Computational Chemistry, C.S. with Bio = Computational Biology and so on.</p>
<p>So to put the question back to you: In addition to C.S., what are you interested in?</p>
<p>My main interest is android development. My second option would be game development. For android development, isn’t it best to just simply major in CS only?</p>
<p>I would suggest you just major in Computer Science alone and focus on doing your best in those courses, which have a high failure rate. To work in companies such as Google and Microsoft, you need to make sure that your grades are top-notch, especially if you are not attending an Ivy League.</p>