Most of the things you mentioned fall into programming/logic. Algorithms is the logic of producing code without using a specific language. Discrete math is basically mathematical logic broken down to it's fundamental elements. AI is a direction that you can choose but not all CS majors will work with AI so it isn't a requirement. A class or two of hardware are thrown in but hardware is for Computer Engineers, not Computer Science Majors.

 

I parked @ usc once, right off of campus, while hanging out with a few USC friends. Parked there with 4 wheels...couldn't leave when I was left with zero wheels. USC FTL .... UCLA > USC.. worse thing that happend to my car when I went to UCLA was being forced to park next to a Ferrari on campus..

Ferrari > 350z

 

Does computer engineering have a broader range of job opportunities though. I coulda applied for Computer Engineering but don't know what got into me when I chose CS.

 

Computer engineering is practically the same thing as CS. I know many CS majors who have a job title of "computer science engineer" and I know many EE's who have a job title of IT manager or w/e. I think EE will give you a little bit of a broader job since its 'harder' but in the end, its hwo you represent yourself to the corporate world that matters most

 

+1

 

I represent myself to the corporate world with a beard and a pocket protector.

 

Computer Engineering deals more with the hardware and CS deals with software. Computer Engineering has a better title and it pays a bit more. I am choosing CS for now because I like the work more and I don't really have a whole lot of interest in hardware.

During your first semester or two you'll probably be taking classes that count towards both majors. If you like hardware more than software just switch majors.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure that you aren't a C student. When you get into the job market your interviewer may ask you to produce a code and if you aren't on point you'll have a hard time finding work.

 

where did you go to school?

 

I am really hoping my wheels get stolen. I should have gone to USC.

 

ah ok .. that explains your statement ...

 

possibly, dont think its much different anywhere else considering majority of professors that teach there are grads from usc and the interns I worked with at my job were from USC. They made the same comments, however I think usc had some bad *** labs that really help out. Good luck though. Your place were u get your degree doesn't mean much after your first couple of jobs, from there its based mostly off experience.

 

I am in school at CSULB halfway through my junior year.

 

i wasn't trying to say that the topics i mentioned were NOT logic. rather, they are something MORE than logic. it would be like me saying physics is math. yes, physics is based on math, but it's also MORE than that.

regardless, in my opinion the definition of a cs education is defined by what stanford, mit, carnegie mellon and berkeley are doing. everyone else is just adhering to the standard they set.

 

i think that's false too. my school connections have helped tremendously. brand name recognition is good for life.

 

Computer Science? Noooooo. Don't ruin your life man. Why do you want to take most of your classes with a roomful of smelly, nerdy guys?

Majoring in Computer Science, while allowing me to obtain a job which paid for my Z, was probably one of the worst decisions I have ever made. Now, since my car is paid off, I have started looking for a new career, something which does not require that I sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.

Good luck with it though.

 

your experiences are different than mine. I work with SC grads. Not saying your connections at school don't help, because my first job was from a connection through my college, but I'm saying in the long run where you went to college to get your CS degree isn't really the most important thing. Mostly about who you know, what you do in your experiences.

 

well it got me a job at microsoft, which definitely helped me getting the job i have now, which i am very happy with ...
maybe you deal with a handful of SC'ers who probably didnt take the courses taught by some of the stalwart professors at sc... maybe you are a rare special child... either way.. different strokes for different folks... but theres no way you can explain that a cs degree doesnt make any sense (which is what i replied to)

 

well your changing from saying "it doesn't mean much" to "it's not the most important thing". sure it's not the most important thing, but it definitely means something. it speaks about one's pedigree, experiences, capabilities, etc.

 

The worst decision that you have ever made? What didn't you like about the work?

 

Update: I got in UCSD (Warren) in Computer Engineering and UC Berkeley in CE too... but I don't wanna go to Berkeley...
so should I go to UCLA(CS now but planning on changing to CS&CE) or UCSD(CE)??