<p>Every time someone asserts that CS and programming are interchangeable, an angel bursts into flame and curses God.</p>
<p>^</p>
<p>I agree. Programming (and Software Engineering) is only a small subset under the broader CS field. So don’t go into it expecting only to be programming.</p>
<p>What else will I learn throughout a CS education besides programming? I guess I was a bit ignorant in thinking programming was the majority. Good to hear.</p>
<p>Auburn, did it take you longer than 4 years to complete your degree while working part-time? </p>
<p>Thank you SO much for all your input, everyone. It really means a lot to be able to have you guys help me in my decision! :D</p>
<p>Hey, don’t blame the angels. Laypeople like me get lost somewhere in the in all the techno jargon. I’m a proven example that not everyone begins on the same foot. On paper, I <i>could</i> major on CS because I did the Math classes and stuff, but it’d take a lot of work for me to catch up to what the rest of you guys already know.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.acm.org//education/curricula/ComputerScience2008.pdf[/url]”>http://www.acm.org//education/curricula/ComputerScience2008.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.acm.org/education/education/education/curric_vols/cc2001.pdf[/url]”>http://www.acm.org/education/education/education/curric_vols/cc2001.pdf</a>
<a href=“http://www.acm.org/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf[/url]”>http://www.acm.org/education/curric_vols/CC2005-March06Final.pdf</a>
[Computer</a> science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science]Computer”>Computer science - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>As a data architect/database administrator, I only “program” when I develop a store procedure. Most of the time, I collect data requirements and construct “data models” or even more a “data architecture” for a whole system. I may look into how the data is distributed over N disks or arrays of disks. I may go days and maybe a couple of weeks before I program anything.</p>
<p>adam422, have you ever used Matlab? The command structure is similar to some programming languages, and it does lots of interesting stuff. Programming is really just a set of instructions telling the computer what to do. It is important to be able to logically deconstruct something into a set of step by step instructions.</p>
<p>There are lots of computer-related areas, so if this is what interests you, you can find your niche.</p>
<p>
Completely agree. The only way to get through this sort of thing is with a good attitude, most of these guys are pretty arrogant so that’s kind of out the window.</p>
<p>And yes, the way I learned a lot was through looking at blocks of code and breaking it down to see how each piece worked to do something. Once you do a bit of testing on your own you find that you can do a lot with minimal knowledge, and it’s a very rewarding feeling!</p>
<p>I think the only thing I’m worried about is the math requirements. I did take Pre-Calc and I worked my ass off to get an A in that course. I’m sure Calc 1-3 is going to be very difficult along with Physics 1 & 2. I never did well in Math in high school, but then again I didn’t really put forth my best effort. So far in college I have taken College Algebra and Pre-Calculus w/ Trigonometry and got an A in both. With that said, do you think I will be OK in Calc 1-3 and Physics? I have never taken a Physics course ever.</p>
<p>you ought to take at least calculus 1 during high school. Having the luxury to study it in a high school setting is very valuable and saves you a lot of stress. The people that want to do a major that requires first year calc as a prereq are being idiots if they want to have a “laid-back” senior year and take something lame like AP stats. Take calc AB/BC now and save yourself the horror of weed out calc 1 next year.</p>
<p>I actually just finished my 2nd year at a local community college. I am transferring to USF this fall. I hope Calc 1-3 is not too intense with me not taking it in high school. Now I am a bit worried.</p>
<p>Everything I have wanted in college academic-wise has been challenging. I came in to college with awful mathematical skills or at least what I thought were awful. I decided to major in Information Systems which required college algebra and applied calculus. I was terrified of these 100 level freshmen math courses, I mean utterly frightened. I busted my ass in college algebra and got a C. At this point I thought I was an idiot, I took Applied Calculus from a good math teacher instead of a TA or high school teacher, and I got an A. </p>
<p>I recently have decided to go to grad school for CompSci/Software Engineering, one of the pre-reqs is Discrete Math. I now am confident from completing my first degree that if I put my mind to it and want it bad enough I will find a way to get the grade I need to move on. </p>
<p>If you want CS bad enough you will get it, it may take more time for you than others. When I started programming simple tasks took me hours and everyone was ahead of me, but I caught up. </p>
<p>If you discover you cannot hack it because you are not interested enough to put in the time, do not hesitate to explore other options. Changing your major is not a sin in fact it is very common. I changed my major my junior year and got out in 4.5 years. Never worry about what society or so and so might think about your route to success, just do what makes you happy. Alright, enough preaching for now.</p>
<p>Is Pre-calc a big necessity to become successful in Calc 1-3? I think I will have forgotten most of the things I learned in pre-calc this past spring semester by the time I start university in the fall. I have taken pre-calc at my local CC and I found it a little difficult at times, but I still managed to get an A. Taking calc 1-3 at university scares the crap out of me. I really hope I can do it. It would be terrible to have to change my major because I could not handle the mathematical course-load.</p>
<p>You won’t need absolutely everything, most precal topics that you’ll need you’ll remember them and if you don’t then you’ll learn to remember them when you use them for practicing calculus problems.</p>