<p>I am currently at NYU and intending on majoring in computer science. As some of you may already know, the cs program at nyu isn't very strong because it only offers a BA and doesn't require students to take chem, physics, or mechanics, which is rather odd for a cs program. Will this hurt me when it comes time to apply to grad school or find a job in the industry?</p>
<p>My other option would be to pursue the dual-degree program with stevens where i can get a cs degree from nyu and EE or CE degree from stevens in 5 years. I'm not sure if i want to do this though because although my math skills are decent, im not sure i can handle the rigors that engineering classes require. Furthermore, im interested in going to grad school for either cs or possibly law, both of which require high gpas. I am almost certain that my gpa will be lower if i decide to pursue the dual-degree program. Furthermore, i am wondering if the two degrees is unnecessary because i am intending to do more software than hardware. </p>
<p>On the flip side, getting the two degrees probably will make me more competitive in the job industry since i would have both hardware and software skills. Can anyone confirm this?</p>
<p>So taking all this into account, which would my best option be?</p>
<p>Because, like I have said before on other threads, you have to apply for admission into the BA CS program as a continuing student at Berkeley, and not everyone gets in. Specifically, those students who do poorly in the lower-division CS prereqs won't get into the program and will therefore be forced to major in something else. Contrast that with EECS, for which you apply as a freshmen, and if you get in, all you need is to get a 2.0 and you will graduate from the program. </p>
<p>In other words, what that basically means is that there are no 'mediocre' (mediocre = students with weak grades) BA CS students, because the mediocre students can't even get into the program at all. However there are * plenty * of mediocre EECS students. I have known plenty of EECS students struggling along with GPA's lower than 2.5. In fact, I know one guy who couldn't even do any senior-year recruiting because he didn't even know if he was going to graduate. You need a 2.0 GPA to graduate, and his GPA was right on the edge such that even in his final semester, he still wasn't sure if he was going to graduate, and hence he couldn't talk to employers because they would presume that he actually knew he would graduate.</p>
<p>I just looked at NYU's CS program. 7 req course 5 electives.</p>
<p>Required courses:
V22.0101 Introduction to Computer Science (FA/SP)
V22.0102 Data Structures (FA/SP)
V22.0201 Computer Systems Organization (FA/SP)
V22.0202 Operating Systems (FA/SP)
V22.0310 Basic Algorithms (FA/SP)
V63.0121 Calculus I (FA/SP/SU)
V63.0120 Discrete Mathematics (FA/SP)</p>
<p>IMHO, I think that is provides the basics of CS and does appear to be preparing the student for entry into Grad school (not too strenous).
The major seems to be designed to be part of dual major. CS/Math , CS/Eco, etc. So that tells me, that it prepares it students for a job.
That said, I am surprised that there is no programming course required, can that be?</p>
<p>If you are serious about grad school, then i would look at a more challenging/rigorous program.</p>
<p>My recommendation: Goto to Stony Brook. Get a great CS degree. Beware that this is a very competitve program so high GPA must be earned. (late nites)</p>