<p>I posted the following opinion question under Science Majors but I also need feedback from the Engineering Majors point of view. Your feedback will my son decide which university to attend.</p>
<p>We're NC residents. My son has been accepted to Carolina (UNC-CH) and High Point University (invited to Scholarship Weekend and Honors Program), with an indicated major of Computer Science. We'll learn on 1/31 if he's accepted to NC State (applied under Computer Engineering).</p>
<p>His end goal, at this point, is a MS in Computer Science with a career in security (CISM, etc.). But, at age 18, how can he really know? However, his IT teacher says he's the most gifted programmer she has ever taught.</p>
<p>He wants to major in CS but I'm telling him to get his BS in Computer Engineering and MS in CS so he knows both hardware and software. Or, double major in Computer Engineering and CS or Applied Math; Then, go for his MS in CS. To me, this route will increase his knowledge base with more breadth and more career opportunities.</p>
<p>I know little about the huge IT career field so any and all opinions are greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>When you son graduates with his B.S., there could be a brand new “hot area”. He probably would want to wait until junior/senior year to specialize in an in-demand area. The hardware jobs in I.T. do not really need a CompE degree for employment. Actually, many of the I.T. skills (outside of software development) do not need/require and CompE degree.</p>
<p>And #2:</p>
<p>Most I.T. jobs will be in software. Now actual computer science R&D positions will make better use of a CompE degree.</p>
<p>And #3:</p>
<p>Computer security comes in both hardware and software and one will probably have to choose which way they want to go. Applied math comes into play with Algebra, Number Theory and Error-Correcting Codes/Cryptology.</p>
<p>And #4:</p>
<p>Regardless of technical B.S. major (CompE, Comp Sci or Math), there will be 4 core courses that graduate CS admissions departments will look for: Algorithms, Data Structures, Organization of Programming Languages and Operating Systems.</p>
<p>If the end goal is just MS CS, then he should major in CS. CompE is the same thing as EE, but with a bit more emphasis on programming. CS masters programs generally have a specific list of undergrad CS courses which they expect you to have already taken. These courses are often not part of the CompE degree coursework.</p>
<p>He could double major in CompE and CS, but the work-load would be pretty extreme, since each of those majors, on their own, are very challenging.</p>
<p>Carolina has a new program called ‘BS/MS CS in 5’ years which is the direction he is leaning. With his AP/IB placement credits and dual enrollment, he’ll start with many of the basic 101/102 classes done. Also, I want him to take some electives in the business school in case he ever wants to start his own business like his Mom or rise into the management ranks. So, if it takes 6 years, so be it.</p>
<p>However, he wants more hardware knowledge/experience than a pure CS MS provides. Yes, he can get some of this through summer internships but are there specific types of classes he should plan to take?</p>
<p>He can also take a graduate program in something like Engineering Management or Systems Engineering. Both will require a few business-like courses along with a 4 or 5 course specialty. A MS in CS is 10 technical courses which may include some “fluff” that he may not want/need.</p>
<p>There is something else I want to add about management but I will create a new thread about it.</p>
or rise into the management ranks. So, if it takes 6 years, so be it.</p>