Been offered the chance to do Comp Science

I originally applied to Kings college to do Maths, but i didnt get an A in A level Maths so they rejected me :frown:

But, instead they offered me the chance to do Computer Science. I really want to go to Kings so this offer is very appealing to me.

What to do? Is there a better chance of getting a job with Computer Science degree as opposed to Maths?

Reply 1

CmpSciClaire

I am starting computer science at Warwick so my answer will clearly be slightly biased... however, I think it depends on what you wish to do as a career. If you are not looking for anything specific then I don't think it matters. I have done some work ecperience for JPMorgan and for IBM and had extensive discussions on the importance of your subject. They are of the opinion that a a degree shows you have a will and a capacity to learn so even IBM don't specify that it must be in a compter related subject. They do specify that it be a science, obviouslly both maths and computer science count for that. Anyway.... this is a round about way of illustrating that I think any "science" subject carries similar weight with respect to getting a job unless it requires specific knowledge.

I hope this helps.

Claire
P.S Computer Science is very interesting and very maths based anyway!

Reply 2

m0m4n

Thanks for the reply

Thats helped put thing into perpspective a bit more.

But, in say 3 years, after having completed the degree, will there still be the demand for CS students? I been hearing that its on the decline.

Reply 3

Da_Head1

I am going to be taking computer science and maths, but on my open day i spoke to a lot of students who were going to do work experience in investment banks, all sorts of places un-computer related (well...specialised). But what Claire says is extremely valuable, because it is a difficult degree in the end and employers will expect you to be intelligent and focused.

Reply 4

CmpSciClaire

Yes I agree with that. The computer field itself is becoming more over populated than it was when computing was new because everyone is recognising the dot com revolution. On the other hand, Computer science is much more maths and problem solving related so it doesn't mean that you are restricted to a job in programming contrary to popular belief. I think that any degree in a science subject is a valuable asset because it proves that you have an apptitude in a certain area of thought. I don't think that having a degree in CS will be negative at all. Another thing to consider id how good your degree is, If you are similar to me then you will be trying to get the best possible score you can. If you get a first, I am sure that It won't matter what it is in. The difference between having a first class degree and a second class one is likely to outweigh any differences in subject matter.

Again, hope this helps.

Claire
x

Reply 5

goku999

The course computer science is a very diverse course. It has plenty of job opportunites when you graduate but same goes with mathematics.
Both subjects are very logical so employers would favour both. To me they would favour probably maths more but im stuck between the two and am going to study maths and computer science next year.

It also depends on how you feel working on a computer for most of the time, are you interested in learning the theory behind computers and start programming in java, C and C++??

If you dont then you wont be able to get very far/enjoy computer science.

But at the end of the day, be it a maths degree or a computer science degree, employers would favour both.

Reply 6

JennLlama

I'd say your job prospects would be better with comp sci than maths probably. I can't really think of any jobs where a maths, as opposed to any science, degree is absolutely necessary (except maybe professional mathematicians, but there aren't really vast quantities of them as far as I'm aware). Computer science would probably give you more options as you'll have experience of programming, etc. which you won't get with a maths degree and so would be a better candidate for computing-type jobs. But as CompSciClaire says, it depends on what you want to do. If you're not really interested in computers, then it's not going to be for you, but if you think it's the kind of thing you're interested in then I'd say go for it. I wouldn't pick one over the other on the basis of job prospects to be honest.
Jenn xx

Reply 7

m0m4n

Ok well, thanks for the advice everyone. Was extremely helpful.

I decided to do CS afterall. Suppose ill find out in 3 years if it was the right decision!

Reply 8

liverpool

so are u lot trying to say if u dont have maths u cant get into computing?

Reply 9

Chris87

liverpool

so are u lot trying to say if u dont have maths u cant get into computing?

No, not at all! However, almost all Universities will require at least a grade C at GCSE Maths. What people are saying is that a lot of Computer Science courses involve Maths and if you do a course in Computer Science it shows you not only know about how computers work but are also competent in Maths too. I saw your other thread about ICT so you may be confusing Computer Science with ICT. They are completely different subjects. ICT is more about using computers and the business side of things. However, Computer Science is more technical and theoretical, going into how Computers actually work and will include modules on Programming, etc. Maths is not likely to come up a lot in an ICT degree.