I am thinking about doing Computer Science at The university of Maryland, when I transfer there, however I was wondering if Computer Science is hard. I understand there is alot of math classes you have to take like calculus 1-3, and I am able to pass those classes with passing grades like C’s. I am generally not good at math, I dont hate math, im just not good at it. The reason I chose to do Computer Science was because I love using computers, and primarily I want to go towards software engineering. Should I still stick with computer science?
@LustinJack12 The question “Is computer science hard?” is a somewhat vague question, since whether a certain CS class is easy or hard largely depends on your previous preparation. However there are numerous unsolved problems in computer science (such as finding the fastest algorithm to multiply two n-digit integers, or various time and space complexity problems such as P = NP, PSPACE ⊆ P, etc.), so one can make a valid argument that CS is very hard.
As a CS major, you may or may not have to take classes on data structures and algorithms, or computability and complexity theory. These classes can be very challenging if you don’t have a good discrete math background, or enough practice writing proofs (hence discrete math is often a requirement for CS). I haven’t seen too much calculus in most of my CS classes, but I have seen some.
Other CS courses are not as math-heavy, but familiarity with some of these topics (such as recursion, in a software engineering class) might make it a bit easier.
You can see UMD requirements [url=<a href=“http://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/degree-requirements-cs-major%5Dhere%5B/url”>http://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/degree-requirements-cs-major]here[/url].
@MITer94 Thank you for your input, looking at the UMD requirements, would you say that the progress would be very hard?
@LustinJack12 I imagine the theory part (Area 4) would be pretty hard without a solid math background. However CMSC 250 (Discrete Structures) should give you sufficient preparation for those courses.
Since you mentioned wanting to transfer there, note that some of your courses may or may not count as transfer credit, and/or you would have to take an exemption exam to earn the credit.
@MITer94 Ok thanks for the heads up, Im finishing up my first out of four years in college, I only take general education courses right now and Calculus of course, as you may already know UMD does not take CS courses. As of right now, I don’t have much basic knowledge on programming, however some friends of mines say that the first CS class (CMSC131), is easy and ties into the harder courses like you said
@LustinJack12 Are you sure? UMD’s website says the following:
“Please note that the Department of Computer Science accepts an extremely limited amount of transfer credit for computer science courses taken outside of the University of Maryland.”
So it’s possible that none of your CS classes transfer, but I’m sure they accept some transfer credits if the course is equivalent.
This is probably true. I know many people that think programming is easy, and many others that think programming is hard. In general, if you have good logical skills, ability to look for details, and the ability to think abstractly, then you probably won’t find it too difficult.
@MITer94 I have talked to my advisor at my college and she states they do take CS credits here but they do not go towards the CS progress through, they would only count as electives than the computer science course itself, they accept every other credit at my community college because it is all basically the same classes as long as its not non credit.
bump