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kel · 09-12-2003, 08:22 AM

I would say that undergraduate isn't so important. If you don't get the theoretical background there it means you won't be able to jump into more advanced study later. This is because your professors will have no language with which to discuss the problems with you. IE Turing/Finite State machines, lambda calculus, funky stuff like that which are ideal for describing fundamental issues in CS and not their manifestations in various applications.

I would recommend going to masters level to anyone. You will definitely get the background that way. If you feel there is one area that fascinates you and your not satisfied with your current abilities in that area then go for a PHD... I am falling in love with physics simulations and I want spend my PHD years studying engineering, so that I have the background to write simulations at will.

Anywhoo, as for your case, the curriculum for the major in your school seems to be pretty expansive. Some schools will simply cut-out and compress things. Your school seems to shy a bit away from pure CS and more towards diversity with hardware and stuff. There are no introductory courses to AI (more useful just to find out if you want to study that) I definitely think you should stick with it. Don't worry about the strength of your undergraduate degree. When applying to grad school for a Masters (which should only take one-two years and will pay for itself) it won't matter very much. Mostly what they look for is what learning potential you have in the graduate environment (the paper is insanely important... if you have already done interesting research and actually produce something then your way ahead of the game).

Also... get to know your professors! VERY VERY IMPORTANT. Talk to them whenever you wonder about your career or future. They either made the right decisions already or know which ones not to make ;-) They will also be the ones hooking you up with all the good intra-university research and internship opportunities, and might even help place you outside. And uhm... summer school is a great way to help keep your GPA up. It means you don't have to take a very heavy courseload. You can also schedule courses you find inherently difficult (like all mathematics for me) during the summer so you can focus on them. Although watch out... those summer courses can be taught by unqualified people way to fast.

Blah... college is to damn complicated.

09-12-2003, 08:22 AM	#12 (permalink)
kel WARNING: FLAMMABLE Location: Ask Acetylene	I would say that undergraduate isn't so important. If you don't get the theoretical background there it means you won't be able to jump into more advanced study later. This is because your professors will have no language with which to discuss the problems with you. IE Turing/Finite State machines, lambda calculus, funky stuff like that which are ideal for describing fundamental issues in CS and not their manifestations in various applications. I would recommend going to masters level to anyone. You will definitely get the background that way. If you feel there is one area that fascinates you and your not satisfied with your current abilities in that area then go for a PHD... I am falling in love with physics simulations and I want spend my PHD years studying engineering, so that I have the background to write simulations at will. Anywhoo, as for your case, the curriculum for the major in your school seems to be pretty expansive. Some schools will simply cut-out and compress things. Your school seems to shy a bit away from pure CS and more towards diversity with hardware and stuff. There are no introductory courses to AI (more useful just to find out if you want to study that) I definitely think you should stick with it. Don't worry about the strength of your undergraduate degree. When applying to grad school for a Masters (which should only take one-two years and will pay for itself) it won't matter very much. Mostly what they look for is what learning potential you have in the graduate environment (the paper is insanely important... if you have already done interesting research and actually produce something then your way ahead of the game). Also... get to know your professors! VERY VERY IMPORTANT. Talk to them whenever you wonder about your career or future. They either made the right decisions already or know which ones not to make ;-) They will also be the ones hooking you up with all the good intra-university research and internship opportunities, and might even help place you outside. And uhm... summer school is a great way to help keep your GPA up. It means you don't have to take a very heavy courseload. You can also schedule courses you find inherently difficult (like all mathematics for me) during the summer so you can focus on them. Although watch out... those summer courses can be taught by unqualified people way to fast. Blah... college is to damn complicated. __________________ "It better be funny" Last edited by kel; 09-28-2003 at 07:44 PM..