So I’m a 6th semester Pure Math major. I graduate in only 2 semesters and I’m even taking graduate classes, but recently I haven’t been feeling that graduate school in Math is what I want. I’ve been noticing that I enjoy the problems and field of math related to compsci more than I enjoy the problems math tackles (and they both have the kind of logic puzzles I enjoy). The only compsci I have taken is an intro to java class. What steps should I take to make the switch? Could I take some classes in it for these two semester (they’d just be programming and data structures courses) and then teach myself the other prerequisites for a CompSci masters or PhD while taking some time off after school? Also, would I be able to find a job as programmer if I took those intro classes these next two semesters? What types of things would I need to learn for either of these goals?
It depends on the prerequisite structure of the CS courses. How soon can you complete the frosh/soph CS courses and get into the more advanced junior/senior CS courses?
Here are some suggestions for preparing for a PhD program in CS for those who cannot complete a CS bachelor’s degree: http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Gradadm/Prerequisites.htm
You will not likely get accepted to a PhD program in CS without CS research, not to mention the preparation coursework. There are CS MS programs designed for non majors that you would be well positioned for since you have a quantitative background, particularly at Chicago and Penn. There are other colleges that have that for nonmajors and you take a bootcamp approach to filling in key classes, I think De Paul. For regular MS I think you are missing too many core CS classes and may need to take some as a postgrad. You should be able to get a related job as a math major, particularly in a field or position where they want a person that is more mathy than a straight CS major. You will have to take advantage of the classes online to fill in and prep to pass a technical interview. Also you might do some project stuff on the side and have a github to show off.