Applying in the US for Computer Science

1. Whats the standard of maths involved? Will i be able to cope with it without a good maths background? Do they start start from scratch at the collage?

2. There are two different 2-year courses. Freshman and Sophomore. I have no idea what those are and which one will i be admitted to? Could you tell me what they mean?

Any help would be much appreciated =)

1. This may vary depending on if you want a BA or BS. Usually you'll have to take single and multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and discrete math. I'm having trouble remembering all the typical requirements, but I think some school also require statistics courses. When you start choosing your classes, you may want to consult with your school's math department. If you don't have the skills needed for calculus, you may want to take a pre-calculus class.

2. You may want to acquaint yourself with these terms if you plan on studying in the US:
Freshman: first year
Sophomore: second year
Junior: third year
Senior: fourth year

1. I can't really say about the standard without knowing the course or your background . Certainly the computer part of the maths (using Maple/MATLAB) will be taught from scratch, but I think they'd expect some knowledge of calculus/linear algebra. You can get a course breakdown of the Year 1, Term 1 maths here. Everything else will probably just carry on from that module.

2. Freshman = Year 1, Sophomore = Year 2. A semester is kind of like a term, in the US they typically just have two per year. You'd end up doing both courses, everything on that list in that order (I'm sure you can elect to switch some modules out). I'd assume you can only get admitted into the Freshman year unless you'd already covered all the pre-requisites for the later modules (unlikely, I guess).

Well I have a Commerce background (eco, business) for my A levels. I did give maths in O levels but only because it was compulsory. Just wanted it out of the way... managed to score a D. (60%) Thats was the last maths exam i gave. And the course is in the link i provided.

1. BA? Can you do a BA in CS? Isn't BA offered for more general subjects?
I think my concepts are messed up. Whats a difference between BA and BS? I know what they stand for but thats it.

2. Ahh! Thanks for that

I think you'll struggle if you don't do any preparation between now and then: maths is a really horrible subject to fall behind in. The maths content is pretty similar to A-level, going beyond in many places.

MATH 150 (Pre-calculus) is a pre-requisite for MATH 151 (Engineering Math I). If you have a look at that page, you'll need to be familiar with everything on there. If not, well...

It should* be possible to take MATH 150 in the first semester and push all the maths modules back, covering both Discrete (MATH 2405) and Engineering Math III in the final semester. Discrete maths doesn't really follow on from the engineering stuff.

Otherwise, you might want to get some tuition or start learning as much as you can now.

*: Check the course catalog or ask someone at the college.

A BS will have more technical requirements than a BA. With a BA you can double-major or do requisite courses for professional schools, since there are fewer requirements.

If you're really as uninspired by math as you indicate, you may have some trouble trying to major in CS. Definitely take a pre-calculus class.

Hmm yes that's the same reply i got from a lot of university advisers as well, advising me to take take some math classes before i start, i mean.
I CAN do that but the thing is i dont really enjoy maths, i may get better at it but i'll just end up stuck forcing my self through it. Don't want that!

I've been looking at some BA courses and am leaning towards that.
I wont mind learning a foreign language or history. In fact i do enjoy history!
What would you recommend? How much less mathematics would a BA involve?

Texas A&M dosent have a BA in CS. Was looking at Utexas. It offers both degrees. Probaably not going to get into Utexas but i'll link you the degrees if you want to check course syllabus to help with my questions.
http://www.cs.utexas.edu/academics/undergraduate/degrees_courses/degree_plans/

In the course you pointed out, BS and BA are pretty similar, just some shuffling of the non-CS subjects (the extra maths in BS is optional). You'll notice both are maths heavy.

You *might* be able to avoid algebra/calculus with some sneaky choices at the odd university and still get a CS degree, but you'll be avoiding all the computer graphics stuff (there are still useful things you can learn!). You'll definitely have to cover discrete maths regardless.

If you're set on working in the games industry, the graduate route might not be the best way for you. Maybe it's better to find a subject you enjoy and get there through journalism/QA/localisation, or start creating games, music, art/animation or levels in your spare time.

I'm out of my depth here. Best of luck wherever you end up.

1. This may vary depending on if you want a BA or BS. Usually you'll have to take single and multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and discrete math. I'm having trouble remembering all the typical requirements, but I think some school also require statistics courses. When you start choosing your classes, you may want to consult with your school's math department. If you don't have the skills needed for calculus, you may want to take a pre-calculus class.

2. You may want to acquaint yourself with these terms if you plan on studying in the US:
Freshman: first year
Sophomore: second year
Junior: third year
Senior: fourth year

Is this a BA or BS? It comes under College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, not Engineering. So should be a BA but i cannot find that written anywhere.

Don't read too much into the degree honorary -- it doesn't mean much (as it happens, it is BS). That degree is more like a CS + [whatever] double major and is very similar to what other schools offer as BA, although they probably expect most students to chose electives from maths/science. Hence, BS.

You have to look at the course content (required coursework): even though you might have found the CS degree with the least amount of CS / most electives, you're still doing three modules of calculus and some maths intensive physics. Is CS really the right choice for you?