What goes well with a CS major

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>know out of all the majors I want to do, I defintely want to do computer science.. But I don't know what I want to double major it with...</p>

<p>Background on me:
I am very good at math, I initally wanted to double major with math; however, I heard that after linear alegbra, the math courses switch gears. No more computation and more proofs. I hated proofs in high school.. But some courses like partial diffy eqs, operation research, and stats interest me.
I am better"pure math" than "applied math". I can do applied math, like I was good at physics and chem, but I am better at pure math, I know that for a fact.</p>

<p>Here were my thoughts</p>

<p>Computer Science + Computer Systems Engineering:
I am attending RPI in the fall, and their computer systems engineering department is more EE than CS. So I think it would be worthwhile; however, many people told me that the CS +CompE double major is redundant.</p>

<p>Computer Science + Electrical Engineering
I am not a hardware person tbh, I want to do software, but I heard this is a strong double major</p>

<p>Computer Science+ Math
I FRICKEN LOVE MATH. I was actually thinking of doing this. But then I got interested in some of the classes in Computer Engineering</p>

<p>Computer Science + Econ
I plan on doing well and transferring to hopefully CMU. If I do get in, I would do econ as well since CMU has a good econ department. But I am not sure what to really do..</p>

<p>This my first Semester Schedule (16 credits)
Calc II
Physics I (Mechanics)
CS Data Structures
General Psych ( I wanted econ, but the registration opens up in august 25th, so hopefully I'll get that)</p>

<p>I want your input please....What seems to be the best double major? (Don't say just do CS, I want to double major with CS and something else not only to look more competitive for a job but also because I am interested in the other areas as well)</p>

2

<p>You don’t look more competitive from a double major; you just look indecisive. Remember, if you have more skills, you market those skills, not the additional degree.
I think you would appreciate the more theoretical side of CS and take some classes along the lines of cryptography. Taking a bit of statistics to get a feel for whether or not you enjoy applied math would be good as well.
Take electives, study on your own, and look for interesting opportunities. That would serve you much better than a double major.</p>

3

<p>In my experience, I would advise that you should do a single major in CS and focus all your reamining efforts on doing research, internship, etc. </p>

<p>This type of hands-on experience will be a lot more useful and look better on a CV/interview/job/grad application. </p>

<p>Best wishes,
-DV</p>

4

<p>If you really dislike math proofs, you won’t like upper division math courses (particularly the ones that “pure math” majors take, such as real analysis, abstract algebra, complex analysis, etc.), or the CS theory courses.</p>

5

<p>

When you said you hate proofs but like partial diffs/operations/stat, the first thought that came into my mind was “applied math.” Then you said you prefer pure math over applied math. Pure math is almost 100% proof-based. Operations research and statistics are applied math. Partial diff eq’s fall under both pure and applied math (but leans towards applied). Hopefully, you can clarify this more.</p>

<p>If you really want a double major, I suggest you get a double in applied math, math of computation, or math of operations research (to figure out which one of these, take some applied math classes, and by your sophomore year you should know which specific sub-area you like best).
[RPI</a> Mathematical Sciences: Undergraduate Curriculum](<a href=“http://rpi.edu/dept/math/ms_undergraduate/curriculum.html]RPI”>RPI Mathematical Sciences: Undergraduate Curriculum)</p>

<p>However, I agree with Neo and vader that it would be best to focus on research or internships, as those will increase your grad school chances and employability, respectively, more than getting a double major ever would.
However, if you are seriously interested in applied math because you actually have a passion for it, then by all means double in it. (or get a minor)</p>

6

<p>Oh, I just realized: your definition of applied math is off.
Pure math refers to theoretical, applied uses math to solve real world problems. Physics is physics and chemistry is chemistry. They use math, but they are not “applied math” per se. Something like statistics is applied math.</p>

7

<p>If you don’t like proof based math, you’ll probably learn to like it in college. Upper level theory courses in CS like algorithm analysis, automata, programming languages, etc are pretty much all proof based. With exception of systems, even practicums in compilers, machine learning, or even graphics are generally proofy even when they don’t sound it. You’ve got time to figure out what you want to do</p>