<p>I just finished my freshman year of college at a small, local university. I plan to attend this university for one more year (because it's free), then transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I will study computer science. Given that it will only be two to four extra classes, I figured it would be nice to pick up a major in math as well. I also love UNC's creative writing minor, and my proclivity for the art feels it would be foolish not to pursue this opportunity to build a portfolio. However, given that I only have two years at UNC, here are my options:</p>
<p>A.) B.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Applied Mathematics
B.) B.A. in Computer Science, B.A. in Mathematics, minor in Creative Writing
C.) B.S. in Computer Science, minor in Creative Writing
D.) Take an extra semester/year to get B.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Applied Mathematics, and minor in Creative Writing</p>
<p>I would like to look my best to both grad schools and employers, but I don't want to give up the creative writing opportunity because I honestly am more interested in creative writing than computer science. I am afraid a B.A. won't be competitive in a grad school application, and I am afraid an arts degree instead of a science degree in this technologically-oriented field may have little prestige in the eyes of employers as well.</p>
<p>What I would love to do with my computer science degree is work with game design, for which I would think a creative writing minor and portfolio would render me more qualified. However, I am very aware that the video games industry is much more competitive than other career opportunities that will be opened by a computer science degree, so I am hesitant to limit my outlook to that industry only.</p>
<p>I’d vote for option C. It seems to be strongest in the two most important areas for you. It is not clear to me what the point of a math double major would be for you, since presumably your BS would include significant math.</p>
<p>The main point of the math double major is to have that second degree as a back-up in case my computer science degree lost its value or became obsolete. I would have the math degree a backup, and it would only require two more classes for the B.A. or four more for the B.S. math. Also, I would think a double major in computer science and math would be more valuable in the eyes of employers. Is that illogical? Should I just forget about the math major?</p>
<p>With a CS degree, employers would immediately put you in a more technical area. With a math degree, you could go into finance, consulting and various other management training programs, especially if you have good writing background. </p>
<p>I personally would go for BA instead of BS, option B. I like liberal arts background.</p>
<p>The BA vs. BS title likely makes less difference than what courses you will take.</p>
<p>From a CS standpoint looking at industry employment, you will want to include advanced level courses in subjects like:</p>
<p>algorithms and complexity
operating systems
networks
software engineering
databases
security and cryptography
electives in areas of interest</p>
<p>If you are considering graduate school, consider the following courses:</p>
<p>algorithms and complexity
theory of computation, languages, and automata
operating systems
compilers
computer architecture and/or digital design
electives in areas of interest</p>
<p>Math courses of particular interest to CS majors include:</p>
<p>linear algebra
abstract algebra
number theory
cryptography
numerical analysis</p>
<p>Of course, different math courses would be under consideration if you have other interests in math (e.g. finance or actuarial jobs, in which case statistics courses would be appropriate, along with economics and finance courses).</p>
<p>Good writing skills are important, but not all writing is the same. Writing about technical subjects to technical readers, writing about technical subjects to non-technical readers, and writing about non-technical subjects are all somewhat different.</p>
<p>I don’t think most employers would care or would even know what those courses are. If they really cared that much, they would give you a test. I was a math major, never used anything beyond algebra at work.</p>
<p>Many top technology firms use high level programming languages.</p>
<p>I vote for Option E, which is BS in Computer Science (or Applied Math), period. Take as many Creative Writing courses as you want/can, but don’t worry about getting the minor. No one will care about your minor in Creative Writing, except maybe to think it makes you seem a little wifty. If you are a good writer, that will be obvious from everything you write. You should absolutely try to make yourself into a good writer, but getting that certified by a minor is superfluous. Take electives in other fields, too, so that you have more perspective on what you write about and what you program about.</p>
<p>Out in the world, for most purposes, I think a Computer Science BS with a bunch of math and an Applied Math BS with a bunch of Computer Science courses would be seen as almost perfect substitutes for one another, so getting both is also a waste of effort.</p>
<p>I’ll admit this is a new one for me, and I had to look it up as I have an premed English/CW major in the family. Some interesting Urban dictionary definitions along with the traditional Merriam-Webster; I like this one:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I just noticed that JHS is from Philadelphia, aha.</p>
<p>Don’t mind me, I just dislike the whole fad for piling on double majors and minors. I want to see students learn one thing well in college, and take a broad range of electives to match other interests and curiosities.</p>
<p>What’s the point of minoring in gender studies? Don’t get me wrong. I think MAJORING in gender studies is fine. I think taking gender studies courses probably ought to be required to some extent. But minoring in gender studies is just an elaborate way to accessorize your resume with some hip ornamentation that is supposed to communicate “Hey, look at me! I’m not your run-of-the-mill soulless math/econ major! I have ideas about things, too!” </p>
<p>For me, that sort of thing is for showing, not telling. Be someone with ideas and interests beyond your principal field of studies. Most people are. You shouldn’t need a minor on your transcript and resume to certify that.</p>
<p>And you especially don’t need a minor on your transcript to prove you can write. Because no one who cares about your writing is going to rely on that minor. They are going to look at your writing and judge for themselves.</p>
<p>Gender studies was of interest to D1’s best friend. She got D1 to take few courses with her, that’s how D1 got interested. D1’s friend was very passionate about it. She is now a Stanford law student. I think that’s what college is all about, isn’t it? You expand your horizon because people you’ve met or a course you took on a lark. D1 did not put her minor on her resume because of the kind of work she was after. I would have to say it was one area of study she truly enjoyed in college. Some schools do not offer minors, but D1’s school did, and I really don’t know why there is an issue.</p>
<p>JHS, I think what you said about D1 was completely off base, just saying.</p>
<p>Looking through the original post, I see the following:
“Given that it will only be two to four extra classes, I figured it would be nice to pick up a major in math as well.”
“I would think a creative writing minor and portfolio would render me more qualified.”</p>
<p>Whoa, that was unexpected, so much for a little levity.</p>
<p>Unnecessary and unfounded roughness.</p>
<p>I’m not that fond of multiple majors and minors either, but hopefully pull up short from assigning motivations to others that I know nothing about.</p>
<p>My apologies to the OP for temporarily derailing their thread.</p>
<p>To the OP,
I agree with posters who have emphasized the desirability of a strong major. I think you should pursue the B.S. in computer science. Take some writing classes, but also try to get some of your writing published in the school paper. Or start a blog. Develop a body of writing work online that a prospective employer could easily access. Having that in hand would probably be more helpful than having a minor in creative writing.</p>
<p>Seek out two internships before you graduate that involve you in the sort of activities you like. Check out online gaming companies for these opportunities.</p>
<p>Right, but the minor can be a signifier, all else being equal. Not every job applicant to a job in which writing is important is submitting writing samples. I have no dog in this fight (I did had a double major, which was a specific program that I was in that by definition had to be a double major, and my school did not offer minors, I don’t think) but I’m not so sure what the objection is to a minor. No one is saying that you can’t be well-rounded and interesting and thoughtful in X area without a minor; but it can show that you had some depth and seriousness to your pursuit. It strikes me as a no-harm situation as long as striving for a minor doesn’t preclude getting enough general classes.</p>
<p>Just to clear things up, I don’t want the creative writing minor as something to put on a resume. I want to do it because I want the experience and the portfolio, which will ultimately comprise of several short stories and a short novel.</p>
<p>Creative writing is my dream job–a hobby that will hopefully flourish into a generous career, but is unlikely to; computer science is for my real-world resume–a major within reach that promises to be generous regardless.</p>
<p>As of now, I’m feeling that option C would be the best choice. Any more opinions on the matter are more than welcome.</p>
<p>A question for someone who may know its answer: if I graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Creative Writing, can I return to Chapel Hill at a later time to pick up the remainder of the courses I need for the math major, or would I have to repeat the curriculum?</p>
<p>Also, can a computer science major be competitive to enter a graduate mathematics program?</p>
<p>I of course ask these questions due to the possibility that my Computer Science knowledge is one day obsolete. A big fear of mine going into a computer science program is that technology is evolving so rapidly, my skills and knowledge may not be valuable in the future. That is why I am so bent on picking up a math degree alongside my CS degree. Is this foolish?</p>
<p>No, you are not foolish. In the last 5 years, I have been an IT director for various business lines. Every time we saw a resume, most managers wanted to know if the person knows Java, C, c++, .Net. If the person didn’t have the exact requirement then they would want to pass that person over. I think that’s silly, it is more important if someone has the right displine and aptitude. </p>
<p>I have never taken a computer course, but wrote few major trading systems on my own using high level programming language. It was self taught. When I used to write code, I could do it very efficiently due to my math background (how to do it in fewest steps). I can’t write a line a code in C, nor would I want to, but I could talk architecture to come up with the best design. When someone looks at my resume, it is not my CS background (or lack of it) which gets me the job. </p>
<p>If you are a hard core programmer, and it is love of your life, then I would go for BS in CS, but if you have a broader interest then I still stand by my recommendation. I am joining a start up tech company soon. They use a proprietary programming language, which could be learned once people come onboard. They have graduates with math, stats, physics, finance…majors. They want programmers who also have business knowledge (or have aptitude for it).</p>