Computer Science offer holder considering switching to Mathematical Computation
My main concern that I'm reading online is regarding the oversaturation of cs graduates, and that more maths would make me more flexible and employable.
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Reply 1
Original post
by cultivated-exhibMy main concern that I'm reading online is regarding the oversaturation of cs graduates, and that more maths would make me more flexible and employable.
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Because ultimately, when you apply to job and fill in their application form, as long as your degree meets the entry requirement, they really dont care about the specific degree or modules you did.
(edited 5 months ago)
Original post
by cultivated-exhibMy main concern that I'm reading online is regarding the oversaturation of cs graduates, and that more maths would make me more flexible and employable.
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Another small concern would be the small cohort of M.Comp compared to CS, which idk if it's a good or bad thing.
The lack of flexibility is mainly what's stopping me from switching. MEng M.Comp is 1 year more than BEng CS and I'll be probably be "stuck" at UCL for that time. If Bsc CS is enough to land me a good job, I'd have saved 1 year of time and tuition (international btw). If not, I have the option of further studying at a "better" uni to be more employable (Imperial/Oxbridge) or switch to MEng CS at UCL.
As for my preferences in the different modules, I don't think I have any tbh because I don't have previous experience. I enjoyed studying further maths at A-Level but I've heard that maths at uni is very different. I also enjoy programming but heard that most of CS is not programming and most of it is maths (fav. subject so far), but have not taken CS at A-Level.
I also am lucky enough to have lots of free time. Is there anything CS related that you'd recommend me to familiarise myself with to smoothen my journey academically-wise? Maybe a specific programming language or a CS concept?
Degree level maths is very different, especially the algebra (i.e. modern/abstract algebra - groups, rings, fields and linear algebra) centric stuff that forms the core of that course. I'd suggest having a look at an introductory abstract algebra/group theory text book and see how you get along with that style and content of proof based mathematics.
Having more maths in your degree isn't inherently going to make you more employable though. You'd be as employable as a CS grad for jobs specifically relating to computing and software development, and as employable as any grad for the rest.
If you have a specific intellectual interest in the content of that course then go for it but if it's just because you are hoping that somehow adding more maths to your degree will get you a job, you should both not do that and also manage your expectations about what graduate employers (at least in the UK) are looking for...
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