<p>How hard is engineering/computer science in UCSD?
I wanted to major in computer science because I want to pursue a career in software engineering. However, I have no prior knowledge/experience in computer science or coding... Do the professors at UCSD teach you comp science from scratch or no? Is it really competitive?</p>
<p>freshman’s average gpa first quarter is around 2.7. only few percent of ppl have gpa over 3.6+ overall. youll have to work your butt off there’s a huge gap between high school and college load, espcially if you’re bio, chem, biochem, and engineering major .</p>
<p>2.7? isnt that really really low o_O</p>
<p>Average GPA at UCSD is 3.0</p>
<p>well 2.7 first quarter then after ppl do better. 2.7 is B- average. looks worse than it really is.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman Comp sci major going into third/Spring quarter soon. The first quarter CSE class is pretty easy unless you are taking the accelerated version which assumes you have programming experience and combines two quarters into one. The second quarter takes a lot of your time to finish your programs. If you do the accelerated class, CSE 11 instead of CSE8A + 8B, you should be able to do it with no problems since its for people who already know how to program.</p>
<p>Difficulty of classes so far depend on what professor you have and what class it is. Most people in my first quarter CSE11 class got A’s because everyone had experience already. Rick Ord’s 8A is easy as well.</p>
<p>The goal for many CSE majors are job opportunities or internships. Summer internships for CSE related positions like software engineering are extremely competitive. I had no relevant experience and have had a hard time looking for an internship despite going to all job fairs and applying to many positions.</p>
<p>It is important for a cse major to network and connect with as many people as you can. It can help you secure a future internship/ job. Also learn on your own, the classes are not enough to teach you everything. Start your own projects and implement your ideas. Apply for tutoring for CSE classes. Put it all on your resume and ur good to go in terms of opportunities in the summer/etc.</p>
<p>Start with 8A and then 8B since you say you have no exp</p>
<p>If you want to ask more questions go for it</p>
<p>I’m not a computer science major, but I took the CSE intro classes (8A & 8B) in my freshman year. I had no prior coding experience, and these classes really taught me everything I needed to know. I admit I had to work my butt off to keep up, and spent practically all my free time in the lab, but ended up with good grades in both classes. Take Rick Ord if possible. Most of the TA’s in the lab were very helpful. You should know after 8A & 8B whether CSE is right for you. </p>
<p>My suite mate is a CSE major, and she pretty much lives in her room/cave. She’s perfectly content working on her programs into the night. She’s cool when she pops out of her cave to eat; but otherwise, we leave her alone.</p>
<p>^ Hahaha! I know CSE majors, but none of them are ever that extreme! Whoa. </p>
<p>I’m taking CSE intro courses (8A right now) and I find it okay. I took a little computer science in high school, but I totally forgot it fall quarter. I am an economics major with a minor in CS by the way. The professor I have has pretty hard exams (I have Kube) in comparison with the other professors of previous quarters. Our class average is much lower (Most people got like As in fall quarter 8A while our average is like a B/B-) and I’ve compared past exams with his exams and the difference in difficulty is noticeable. Try not to take Kube. He’s a nice guy and a good professor, but I really don’t like his exams D: Social sciences and writing are more of my thing, so it may just be my personal preference.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!(:</p>
<p>@bluecow you mentioned internships… By any chance, do you remember seeing any companies from the LA area recruiting out of UCSD?</p>
<p>I would also like to know what companies recruit at UCSD. Like do big name companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple come?</p>
<p>Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Blizzard, Pixar, HP, Hulu, Yahoo, Sony, Amazon, Cisco and many more big names.
They even hold events for UCSD students such as the Facebook Hackathon and useful things such as the Google Resume Critique Workshop.</p>
<p>All of them were pretty nice even though I was an inexperienced freshman and so gave me tips to gain experience before trying to get internships xD.</p>
<p>[DECaF</a> | 2012 Companies](<a href=“UCSD TESC”>UCSD TESC)
That is the list of career fair attendees this quarter</p>
<p>@purplet1ger I’m kind of in the same boat as you.
@bluecrow Thanks for the info. Really helpful.</p>
<p>@bluecrow thanks! So many cool companies…</p>
<p>@bluecow: Thanks!!! :)</p>