Computing Science

My name is bcheng06 - Bernard Cheng, grad '06.

Currently studying: Computing Science, 3rd year
Intent at University: B Sc in Computing Science, Joint Major in CS and Business.
What you can ask me: Anything relating to Computing Science and computers in general.

Hope to talk to some BN grads soon!

Would you know anything about what you could do with an Information Systems specialization or a Joint Major in CS and Philosophy?

Right now, I can't decide whether I want a Major in Computer Science, a Joint Major in CS and Philosophy, or a Joint Major in CS and Criminology.

Also, I'm assuming that if I took AP Comp Sci, then I should take CMPT 126 right?

Thanks.

Not sure what you'd end up doing if you JM in CS and Philosophy.
An IS Specialization would have you working in places that make you take care of databases, support desk workers, etc. Perhaps something like working at Telus or any other ISP to help maintain their networks. Database Engineering and data mining also come into mind..

If you took AP CS12 then CMPT126 will be a breeze for you. Yes, you should take CMPT126.

Edit:

I suggest the following courses for first year. Generally speaking, no matter what you're going to major in (as long as it has something to do with comp sci) you'd be taking the following courses.

MATH151
MACM101
CMPT126
CMPT150

KTse04 has JM in English and criminology, and I am only suggesting her because of her experience in criminology.

I don't know about the philosophy or criminology part, but as someone who just finished a joint major in CS and Bio, I can't tell you what to expect from the JM-CS part. In your first two years, you will take almost all of the important courses that full CS Majors take. That is, the basics: MACM, CMPT 150/275, etc. Most of it will be pure theory, except for CMPT 275, which is a hardcore programming course.

When you get to your 3rd/4th yr, you will only be required to take a few of each level of courses, and unless you are planning to stay at SFU for 5-6 years, you'll only want to do a few. This means that some of the really specialized courses, that other CS majors will be taking, you won't be.

I come out of a joint CS degree with a good knowledge of programming, and of a lot of math/computing stuff, like algorithms and theory. But besides Java, C++, Perl (which I learned outside of school), I don't know much else, and was never taught. Although I've had exposure to MySQL, I don't remember much of it since I haven't had to use it again in subsequent years.

So in conclusion, think about what you want to do with your degree. If you want the option of a CS job, like with Microsoft, Google, EA, etc etc, then you might want to go for the full degree, and get a philosophy/criminology minor or something. Otherwise, unless you're already a hardcore computer geek, you won't be trained to enter any of those positions.

CS + Philosophy? Rebutting against Searle's Chinese Room argument perhaps :p

>>Also, I'm assuming that if I took AP Comp Sci, then I should take CMPT 126 right?

If you did AP comp sci, I'm pretty sure you already know everything in CMPT 126 (I took it for my brief foray into bioinformatics - class was a huge waste of time.) My advice would be to skip if at all possible, or take some kind of course challenge exam if it exists. (But if you want to take it, I'll sell you the book for cheap =D)

I believe I'll have to take CMPT 126 since the A exam only covers CMPT 120. I guess I'll take the book off your hands when the day comes.