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Computer Science Degree
Hi, I'm considering applying to do a Computer Science degree at Cambridge, or any other top uni, and would like to know how it will compare to a Maths degree or a Physics degree. I've took Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemisty (yes I know no computing, but I was advised against it as it will be ignored by top uni's). I really enjoy basic programming and would have loved to have took it at A-level, I'm wondering if I should apply, whether or not I will enjoy it, and how it will prepare for the future against Maths or Physics. I mean computers are changing all the time, and if a learn a certain programming language for my degree, and in 5 years or so things change, will that render my degree useless. I was told of a friend that a degree in computer science is a waste of time, as his friend had one, and hasn't got anywhere with it.
Not doing Computing isn't a bad thing at all. I certainly haven't done it 
I haven't even got a GCSE in IT!
Computer Science at uni basically is, to a certain extent, applied discrete mathematics. I'd imagine that there's a lot of programming involved, but if programming is all you're interested in, you might find the sheer amount of maths in the CompSci courses at some unis overwhelming. So, it's worth checking out which unis focus on theoretical things like Maths (I know Oxford and Cambridge do) and which focus on, for example, software engineering (York has this option for example).
As for a comparison against Maths and Physics, it depends what you want to do after uni. They all leave lots of options open to you, and since there's not any great need to specialise at undergrad level, it's probably best to pick the subject you enjoy most. Physics and CompSci are both very mathematical subjects, so if you like Maths but aren't enthusiastic enough about it to spend the next 3 years studying solely that, then Physics/CompSci are good options for you
A degree in Computer Science definitely isn't a waste of time, though. It might be when it comes to just 'having a degree', but for research careers or things like cryptography, or even a lot of IT jobs, it won't go amiss.
NB: There's probably nothing you can do with a CompSci degree that you can't do with a Maths degree, whereas the reverse might not necessarily be true... like, it'd be harder to do a Maths MPhil after a CompSci BSc than it would to do a CompSci MPhil after a Maths BSc.
I haven't even got a GCSE in IT!Computer Science at uni basically is, to a certain extent, applied discrete mathematics. I'd imagine that there's a lot of programming involved, but if programming is all you're interested in, you might find the sheer amount of maths in the CompSci courses at some unis overwhelming. So, it's worth checking out which unis focus on theoretical things like Maths (I know Oxford and Cambridge do) and which focus on, for example, software engineering (York has this option for example).
As for a comparison against Maths and Physics, it depends what you want to do after uni. They all leave lots of options open to you, and since there's not any great need to specialise at undergrad level, it's probably best to pick the subject you enjoy most. Physics and CompSci are both very mathematical subjects, so if you like Maths but aren't enthusiastic enough about it to spend the next 3 years studying solely that, then Physics/CompSci are good options for you
A degree in Computer Science definitely isn't a waste of time, though. It might be when it comes to just 'having a degree', but for research careers or things like cryptography, or even a lot of IT jobs, it won't go amiss.
NB: There's probably nothing you can do with a CompSci degree that you can't do with a Maths degree, whereas the reverse might not necessarily be true... like, it'd be harder to do a Maths MPhil after a CompSci BSc than it would to do a CompSci MPhil after a Maths BSc.
I've been told that Computer Science at "Oxbridge" universities (Oxford + Cambridge) are very mathemathically based but I can't tell you if that is true.
I've just started by degree in Computer Science and have basic programming knowledge and I'm enjoying the course a lot, I would have prefered to learn C++ instead of java but that will be one of my third year options. Any language you get taught at university is unlikely to become completely redundent because of the simularities between them (Excluding VB because I have yet to see something close). C++, java and PHP are quite close to each other in some senses (not all). The major difference between PHP and Java is having a garbage collector that C++ doesn't. Once you get a basic understanding it is easier to transfer between languages.
I've just started by degree in Computer Science and have basic programming knowledge and I'm enjoying the course a lot, I would have prefered to learn C++ instead of java but that will be one of my third year options. Any language you get taught at university is unlikely to become completely redundent because of the simularities between them (Excluding VB because I have yet to see something close). C++, java and PHP are quite close to each other in some senses (not all). The major difference between PHP and Java is having a garbage collector that C++ doesn't. Once you get a basic understanding it is easier to transfer between languages.
what is a computer science degree for?
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