How do you research a particular major?

[Ginevra]

Also, how do you compare the merits or drawbacks of similar majors? For example, some schools have Computer Science, but also a similar thing like "Computer Systems and Technology." How do you find out what the difference are (does one have a lot more sciences classes? Is one or the other a more likely beneficial major for someone who wants to own a tech or computer company?) What about earning potential, not just within larger majors, but applied to these slightly different versions of majors?

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Also, how do you compare the merits or drawbacks of similar majors? For example, some schools have Computer Science, but also a similar thing like "Computer Systems and Technology." How do you find out what the difference are (does one have a lot more sciences classes? Is one or the other a more likely beneficial major for someone who wants to own a tech or computer company?) What about earning potential, not just within larger majors, but applied to these slightly different versions of majors?

 

Try to find the required courses for the degree.  We looked at what different tracks were available.  Sometimes this required a lot of digging into the department website.  

 

We used search terms like "Purdue computer science plan of study" or "course plan"

 

One thing that ds decided was that a CS program that had pre-calculus as the first required math course probably wasn't going to have the strength or depth that he was looking for.  He also looked to see how closely aligned topics like robotics were.  (He found that Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Robotics were often very distant majors in differnent colleges.  For example, CS might be in the College of Science, whild Computer Engineering was associated with Electrical Engineering in the College of Engineering.  Robotics was sometimes part of Mechanical Engineering and not CS at all.  He was wary of programs that focused on IT functions, because that isn't where his interest is.)

[Momto6inIN]

I was confused about this too. When we went to a generic Purdue admissions function, they had different breakout sessions with the different colleges within Purdue. Computer Engineering was in the College of engineering, Computer Science was in the College of Science, and Computer Technology was in the College of Technology (actually called something else, but you get the drift). All have different requirements, naturally. ;) And each session included info earnings potential.

 

The Engineering breakout session was mildly helpful because they told us that Computer Science is for mostly theoretical studies, Engineering is for how to develop systems and software, and Technology is for hand-on applications of the systems and software in a practical setting e.g. business or manufacturing. Obviously there is some overlap, but that is the general focus.

 

The Computer Science breakout session was extremely helpful because the guy told us that if you (a) are good with math and like it (b) don't enjoy English all that much © as a kid didn't like your food touching on your plate and (d) to this day still color code your Skittles before eating them, you belong in Computer Science and not Engineering and "these are your people". DS and I looked at each other and cracked up because it describes him to a T! :lol:

[Guest]

I was confused about this too. When we went to a generic Purdue admissions function, they had different breakout sessions with the different colleges within Purdue. Computer Engineering was in the College of engineering, Computer Science was in the College of Science, and Computer Technology was in the College of Technology (actually called something else, but you get the drift). All have different requirements, naturally. ;) And each session included info earnings potential.

 

The Engineering breakout session was mildly helpful because they told us that Computer Science is for mostly theoretical studies, Engineering is for how to develop systems and software, and Technology is for hand-on applications of the systems and software in a practical setting e.g. business or manufacturing. Obviously there is some overlap, but that is the general focus.

 

The Computer Science breakout session was extremely helpful because the guy told us that if you (a) are good with math and like it (b) don't enjoy English all that much © as a kid didn't like your food touching on your plate and (d) to this day still color code your Skittles before eating them, you belong in Computer Science and not Engineering and "these are your people". DS and I looked at each other and cracked up because it describes him to a T! :lol:

I LOVE this description! Lol!

[Kassia]

My sons attend Ohio State where there is a Computer Science and Engineering major from the College of Engineering (one son is a senior with this major), Computer Engineering from the College of Engineering, and then Computer and Information Science (another son graduated with this major) which is from two colleges within the university - the College of Engineering and College of Arts & Sciences (this may have changed since my son graduated three years ago, but the major is still there).