<p>Sorry for the soapbox but I'm a little confused. I've been accepted to UT's COLA as a junior. However, I've realized that I don't want to pursue my current course of study oh philosophy because I loathe it. I'm leaning heavily towards computer science because it seems to be a strong field with limitless future opportunities. I have virtually no background and the farthest math that I've gone is college algebra. However, anything I put my mind to is usually a success so I'm sure I can survive and thrive if I pursue it. Am I dumb for thinking this or is their a real chance of success?</p>
<p>There’s definitely a real chance of success - the best thing you can do at this point is learn more about the field to see if you are really interested in it. It’s really easy to have a perception of how something is before you start doing it, only to find out that it’s not at all what you expect after you get farther in.</p>
<p>Besides some general reading on potential CS-related careers, I think it would be really useful to try learning some CS on your own. I have no doubt that you CAN succeed at it, but it will be helpful to see if it’s something that you truly WANT to succeed at, because very few worthwhile successes come easy.</p>
<p>Some websites that might be worth checking out:</p>
<p>You can start coding within 5 minutes, and find out a little bit more about whether or not you’re likely to enjoy CS.</p>
<p>PM me if you’re interested in talking more, I previously double-majored in econ/math and am applying to UT for an undergraduate EE degree, so I can relate to the whole switching fields thing. Hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>On the contrary, I would warn that CS is less intellectually accessible than other fields, such as biology. Similar to philosophy, CS is filled with many abstract concepts that some individuals simply cannot grasp. While hard work always goes a long way, CS is one of those fields where you get it or you don’t get it. </p>
<p>I think that doing what runitback recommended would be good to figure out if CS clicks with you. Also considering your relatively shallow background in the sciences, it would seem that you are attracted to CS simply because of the job opportunities it offers. Individuals with this type of motivation often find that it evaporates as soon as the going gets tough. If you’re going to make it through 4 years + a career in CS, you’ll need to have a stronger interest, if not a passion, for CS.</p>
<p>Before taking the plunge into a new major as late as your Junior year, I’d recommend that you take up some programming in your free time to test if CS is really right for you.</p>
<p>How about taking one of the pre-CS classes, such as 305? (You’d have to check to see if calc is a prereq.) That way you could see if you liked it and have a aptitude for it. CS does require a lot of math. Calc, discrete math, and a couple of upper level math courses.<br>
IIRC, to transfer to natural sciences, you are going to have to take a math placement test and show calculus readiness.</p>