In the world today, we will always need more software developers. I’m currently exploring majors at my college and seeing what’s the best fit for me. I’m actually thinking to do computer science (CS). I know that it’s a very competitive field to get in, but will it be problematic since I don’t have any prior CS experience? In addition, how difficult is CS? Can anyone do it?
CS is difficult particularly for students who are not good in math.
Yes; almost any kind of engineering major is hard.
If you want the easier route (and are more interested in the traditional arts and sciences) you should get a B.A. in computer science instead of a B.S. in computer science.
The main difference between the two is the B.A. is often more flexible for students who are interested in humanities and the natural sciences. The B.S. is for those who are more engineering and mathematically inclined.
BA versus BS requirements depend on the school. A student needs to check what the actual requirements are, rather then assuming what they are based on the degree title.
No engineering major is easy. CS may not necessarily be the most conceptually difficult, but CS classes do tend to be above average workload compared with typical engineering major.
Majoring in CS does not require any previous CS experience. Degree programs start at the beginning. That said, however, I would recommend taking a first CS programming course if you can before deciding. CS is more than just programming, but it would be miserable if you don’t like programming or struggle with it a lot.
If you are going to do CS through an engineering school, every ABET accredited engineering program will require at least an intro course in programming. Try that first before deciding.
However, the computing for engineers course may be a different course from the introductory course for CS majors.
You’ll be fine if you have no CS experience. Your first class will involve much more work than those other students who have experience, but just work hard and you’ll catch up.
And yes the major is hard, just like all engineering majors. But CS is so unlike anything you’ve ever done in high school. Understanding how computer’s work and how to program them is just a whole new ball game that you probably need to do to know if you like it.
There are plenty of beginning tutorials so you can get a taste of what programming is like. Honestly it can be very cool to see your program work and come to life but trust me when I say trouble shooting your program when it doesn’t work (which always happens) can be time consuming and you need to have the patience for it.