<p>Hi, I've recently been accepted into the computer science major at UCLA and UCI. I was wondering how difficult my major will be. Will it involve a lot of math? and will I be able to minor in something else such as art if I pursue this major? </p>
<p>I would say I'm an okay student at math. I'm taking AP Calculus BC right now and I have an A, however, I have had to study a lot to receive the grade. </p>
<p>I've also never programed before and don't know any programming languages. Will this make it harder for me since most people in this major have at least some previous knowledge?</p>
<p>Apparently, one of the most difficult majors possible. I’m wanting to major in applied math with a minor in CS, but people on this board are really scaring the crap out of me saying that you have to have a certain type of “brilliance” to succeed in advanced math. I don’t think not having programming skills is going to hurt you too much at this point, but you’re going to have to be dedicated and disciplined, just as anyone who wants to succeed should be.</p>
<p>In terms of difficulty, I actually don’t think it’s too difficult compared to some other majors. It is rather time consuming however. It does require math but not in the way you probably think of. CS is emphasizes discrete math, not the sort of continuous math you are familiar with in AP Calc. Roughly speaking, CS will require much more logic and algorithmic thinking than Calculus ever will. I think a rough way to judge your interest in it would be to go out and do some math/logic puzzles.</p>
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<p>Brilliance?..nah don’t need to be brilliant. All you have to do is earn the degree AND know how to play the “game”. I was a sub-3.0 math major from that math powerhouse school called Michigan State (hey, stop that giggling). I used the back-door method to get into Wisconsin’s engineering graduate school. </p>
<p>If they let me in…I am pretty sure you will do just fine.</p>
<p>The difficulty of computer science varies greatly, depending on if you want a B.A. or a B.S. and what school you go to. I got to a (sort-of) top tier engineering school. Here, the B.S. Computer Science program is integrated into the Engineering program, so you have to take many of the harder engineering core classes. However, many smaller liberal arts colleges offer B.A’s in Computer Science. These programs are often much less rigorous and often less respected by prospective employers.</p>