<ul>
<li><p>I am supposed to be a junior in the fall at my LAC.</p></li>
<li><p>Biology major at LAC with 48 credit hours</p></li>
<li><p>planning to transfer to state school to save money and work at the same time to pay for debt.</p></li>
<li><p>considering changing majors from biology to computer science (has no exp in computer science)</p></li>
<li><p>I want a marketable degree and I was thinking about switching to computer science.</p></li>
<li><p>if I study computer science, I might have to take an extra semester or two before I can get the degree (5-6 semesters). </p></li>
<li><p>if I stick to biology, I can minor in computer science and math and still graduate on time (4 semesters).</p></li>
<li><p>I would utilize summers for both these options.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>My question is, is it better for me to graduate on time, save money, and just enter a masters program for computer science or bioinformatics as a biology major/ math and computer science minor</p>
<p>OR</p>
<p>Is it better to stay the extra semester or two and get a computer science degree along with a biology minor and math minor?</p>
<p>I know someone is going to say "If you are doing computer science,with no previous experience,for the money and job prospects, quit now".</p>
<p>I don't think it's fair to blame me for wanting a marketable degree.</p>
<p>I didn't like biology because it was pure memorization. I enjoyed my math classes because of the logic involved. This is why I don't think I'll struggle with comp sci.</p>
<p>I know i can get good grades as long as I pay attention in class, do my hw, and go to office hours for help.</p>
<p>If you’re not interested in biology, it’s probably better for you to switch and spend some extra time than stick it through with something you aren’t happy with. CS will definitely be way more flexible. The only caveat here is to make sure you will actually like CS. Try to learn some programming on your own. I’d suggest starting with a language like Python.</p>
<p>Option 1 was to graduate on time with a Biology major and CS minor and then to pursue an MS in CS. But, in order to get a Masters in CS you probably will need to take additional prerequisites (not already covered by your CS minor). Will the total time be less than just staying to get a BS in CS?</p>
<p>I’ve known people to work in programming with a CS minor (BS in Econ) but I don’t know how prevalent that is these days. I think you need to take some CS classes before you can really make a final decision. You might find you don’t like CS any more than Biology.</p>
<p>If your interested in Computational Biology, then stick with Biology with a Math/CS minor. </p>
<p>Plenty of people I know have done this and then gone to do a PhD in computational neuroscience.</p>
<p>If industry is your goal, then that’s different. But if you’re truly interested in computational neuroscience or computational biology as a career choice then go the PhD route. </p>
<p>Anymore advice? I feel as if it’s better to go ahead and stay the extra semester to get the CS degree than wind up with a non marketable biology degree.</p>