The Student Room Group

What do you actually learn in Computer Science?

I'm thinking about applying for computer science at uni. But I'm not entirely sure if I will enjoy it. If you are currently studying it (or have ever studied it),

how do you find it so far?
do you enjoy it?
what do you actually learn?
It depends where you study. The 'top 20' or so universities tend to have more mathematical and theoretical Computer Science courses, while many other universities offer more vocational courses instead.

On more mathematically-based courses you'd be looking at something more akin to applied mathematics, with a heavy emphasis on logic, reasoning and problem solving. You'd spend more time on subjects such as programming language grammar, compiler theory, algorithms, complexity analysis, hardware theory/electronics, etc. Of course there's also quite a lot of programming involved to cover a whole range of different programming paradigms, and a look at areas such as AI and machine learning.

On vocational computer science or computing courses, you're more likely to end up focused on the technical skills from an employability point of view. There's generally a lot less maths and more hands-on programming using languages like Java, C and Python. Also more emphasis on software development, databases, network engineering, security, application design/UX, web development, project planning, legal/ethical issues, and ideally a chance to take a 12-month industrial placement to get some real-world work experience in these areas.

Whether you enjoy it or not is really down to the individual. The reality of all university courses is that there's a lot of self-study; a lot more than you might have otherwise gotten used to at A-Level - the majority of the material you'll learn at degree level is self-taught from spending your own time on assignments, rather than sitting in lectures/workshops. If you find the subject itself interesting, and particularly if programming is something which you really enjoy then you might enjoy it. If you're applying to a one of the top universities whose degrees are fairly mathematical, then it also depends how you felt about Maths (and maybe Further Maths) at A-level.
Original post by winterscoming
It depends where you study. The 'top 20' or so universities tend to have more mathematical and theoretical Computer Science courses, while many other universities offer more vocational courses instead.

On more mathematically-based courses you'd be looking at something more akin to applied mathematics, with a heavy emphasis on logic, reasoning and problem solving. You'd spend more time on subjects such as programming language grammar, compiler theory, algorithms, complexity analysis, hardware theory/electronics, etc. Of course there's also quite a lot of programming involved to cover a whole range of different programming paradigms, and a look at areas such as AI and machine learning.

On vocational computer science or computing courses, you're more likely to end up focused on the technical skills from an employability point of view. There's generally a lot less maths and more hands-on programming using languages like Java, C and Python. Also more emphasis on software development, databases, network engineering, security, application design/UX, web development, project planning, legal/ethical issues, and ideally a chance to take a 12-month industrial placement to get some real-world work experience in these areas.

Whether you enjoy it or not is really down to the individual. The reality of all university courses is that there's a lot of self-study; a lot more than you might have otherwise gotten used to at A-Level - the majority of the material you'll learn at degree level is self-taught from spending your own time on assignments, rather than sitting in lectures/workshops. If you find the subject itself interesting, and particularly if programming is something which you really enjoy then you might enjoy it. If you're applying to a one of the top universities whose degrees are fairly mathematical, then it also depends how you felt about Maths (and maybe Further Maths) at A-level.


Spot on.

Posted from TSR Mobile

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