What is Computer science: Definition and 581 Discussions
Computer science is the study of algorithmic processes, computational machines and computation itself. As a discipline, computer science spans a range of topics from theoretical studies of algorithms, computation and information to the practical issues of implementing computational systems in hardware and software.Its fields can be divided into theoretical and practical disciplines. For example, the theory of computation concerns abstract models of computation and general classes of problems that can be solved using them, while computer graphics or computational geometry emphasize more specific applications. Algorithms and data structures have been called the heart of computer science. Programming language theory considers approaches to the description of computational processes, while computer programming involves the use of them to create complex systems. Computer architecture describes construction of computer components and computer-operated equipment. Artificial intelligence aims to synthesize goal-orientated processes such as problem-solving, decision-making, environmental adaptation, planning and learning found in humans and animals. A digital computer is capable of simulating various information processes. The fundamental concern of computer science is determining what can and cannot be automated. Computer scientists usually focus on academic research. The Turing Award is generally recognized as the highest distinction in computer sciences.
So; I've been pretty interested in descriptive complexity and finite model theory lately, as well as geometric complexity theory. Algorithmic information theory/Kolmogorov complexity is interesting as well, as is reinforcement learning. Also, I've been reading up on lambda calculus and the...
What is the strategy to master computer science. My class is Fortran 90 based :D.
I never really took a computer science class before and I'm sure its a bit different than preparing for mathematics.
Hi everyone.
I am going into my last year in High School, but am still undecided with what I should major. I consider myself to be good at math, but I am not talented in it. I learn what I'm taught, but if I am given a problem in which I have never encountered and taught, I will never be...
Hi everybody,
I am entering my first year of university (again) and I want to complete a double major in either physics and math or physics and computer science, but I do not know which one will benefit me the most. Right now I see physics and computer science double major path more...
Ok so in a couple of weeks I am going to be doing a computer science degree at the university of west england. I want to prepare as much as I can. Now, I'm worried about the mathematics content in the course. I can't consider myself as a mathematics wiz, but of course I'm willing to work really...
Hi,
I'm about to start my university in september. I just wanted to know which course should I take? Computer Science(MEng) or Computer Science and mathematics with industrial experience? I mean if I take Computer science with mathematics will I be losing any edge over other students who study...
hi guys
I completed my computer science degree from http://www.staffs.ac.uk/" with a First Class honours. I figured out that my true passion lies mainly with Physics :(
Can I do an MSc in Physics or any related physics specialization (such as Glaciology, Cosmology)?
I am planning to...
I didn't do that good in high school with math & science but not that I'm wiser I have better studying techniques for learning scientific and mathematical subjects. I want to know what I should major in in order to do research (Either in industry or a university. I really want to do research in...
Ok. So the deal is that I'm going to be a senior in the fall at a UC in Northern California. I've taken enough physics and computer science courses so that I'm able to major in either one, but the thing is I can only do one. I really love learning physics. I really do. But I'm just fed up with...
Hello everyone. I've gotten interested in the field of computer science lately, and I'm thinking of pursuing advanced study in that field. I am currently a rising sophomore at a top 10 school in the U.S. and will likely major in computer science (if not, math). I would like to know a little more...
Hi all I'm just curious about what a switch like this one entail.
Currently I'm 1 1/2 way through my education at a local community college. Here is a short background on where I stand on this Earth (not physically!).
I just recently began to become motivated and interested in educating...
Hello this is my first post on this forum so I would like to thank you guys for any time you give me. I just got a laptop Sager NP8130 (its a heavy gaming laptop) for college and was wondering if it is a good choice for my engineering classes. Do colleges require you to do programming on your...
I go to a small liberal arts college but I have a good GPA, comfortably above 3.5, could be higher if I wasn't forced to take a bunch of writing courses that don't pertain to my major.
Could I go into astronomy with these two degrees?
Hi,
I'm not sure what I should major in. They both interest me a lot. How is the job stability? How is the pay? I know how to write in Java, but I can learn more before college (I have a year). What is you input on this?
Thanks
I read ZapperZ's (apologies if I misspelled his username) guide to becoming a Physicist and I saw a portion about learning to program etc.
He recommends learning at least two languages suggesting maybe FORTRAN and C or C++. This coming Fall I'll be taking a course in Java based Programming...
Hi, I am a mature student coming back to uni in my late twenties. I currently study computer science and am about to go into my final year.
I really know very little physics other than reading why does e= mc2 by Brian cox :tongue:
I was hoping someone here could possibly suggest to me a...
Hi ,
I passed out of high school this year,as a Science student and so I had to make a decision between taking up an engineering course and a general degree. I was always interested in Physics and so I left myself only two options- Physics Honours and Engineering.
i was quite good in...
Basically, I'm going to be enrolling into a local university soon but there is a small dilemma as to what exactly I should major in. At first, I thought I wanted computer science but after doing a basic 3d game and tons of other little small projects in various languages (word processor, social...
Which branch has a bigger scope (in terms of pay package) in India and Worldwide - C.Sc. or Mechanical Engineering? Which one is better - M.B.A. or M.S. after B.Tech. in any of the above branches? How do I find out if I have interest in Computer Science Engineering?
Although I have interest in...
Hello everyone,
To start, I am trying make a connection between my Engineering Interests and the majors college has to offer for them.
To help this discussion, this is what I like to do in my free time. I like to drawing, build things from random parts, learning how things work, etc. I...
I am currently trying to decide my majors and minors. I would like to complete a double major with a minor, or at least a Major with a double Minor. I definitely want to major in physics, and I don't want to do anymore than a minor in computer science. I greatly enjoy physics math and...
Can anyone out there entertain the idea of the likelihood that sometime in the future (say, maybe 50 years or so from today) there will computers that can "conduct" physics experiments. Let's say, for example, we program a machine, with corresponding hardware apparatuses to detect a nearby...
I'm currently studying computer science, but I'm convinced solar engineering is where I'm supposed to be. I have some robotics courses coming up junior and senior year, but I would like to know what are some of the engineering courses I could take during the summer to prepare me for a graduate...
Hello, I am currently a Junior in high school. I want to be involved with the aerospace field, especially space ships in general. I've been looking at random careers for NASA, SpaceX, and other aerospace companies and noticed their programming careers that involve programming the ships and such...
Suppose L\sum* = L for an alphabet \sum . What can we say about the possible strings in L?
I know that the \sum* is a collection of all possible words of a language and I know that 'L' is a subset of \sum* . So L concatenated with \sum* needs to be equivalent to L. I am stumped.
Many people within the field say it's not a science nor a subject to do with computers. Then why keep it with the name computer science. What's stopping them from changing the darn name?
1. A streaming Netflix movie is usually 720 by 480 pixels. The color for each pixel takes 3 bytes to encode, and a feature film shows 24 frames (individual still images) per second.
a.) How many kilobytes are needed to encode one frame, without compression?
b.) How many GB are there in a...
exploration of course :tongue:
So my situation is that I live in England and am about to enter a computer science degree course. How in demand are computer scientist needed for space agencies? I know NASA and the British Space Agency say on their websites that they do take computer...
Hi guys. I'm finally finishing with high-school and jumping into engineering college world. I've wanted to be an engineer. I've always known that. I love to figure out how stuff works. I automatically get attracted to look if a repairman is repairing some kind of machine at home. My computer...
Howdy,
I am currently a Texas sophomore at community college. Attached in .DOC format is a list of the coursework I have completed by the end of this semester. I am planning to transfer to UT-Austin for the Spring 2012 semester with a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science.
I...
Write an assembly language program that uses ten memory locations (variables) filled with 0, starting at Address 30, and that stores the values 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 in them. Your program will store 2 at Address 30, 4 at address 31, 6 at address 32, etc. Your program must...
I am a Computer Science major and as of now, I am starting to feel like this is not want I want to do with my life. I want to be involved in the management aspect of technology. I don't know which degree will take me there. I am currently taking Data Structures and I hate that class. I feel like...
Hello everyone. I'm a third year Physics and Computer science student (predicted a 1st class - studying in the UK) and I'd like some advice on what to do in the future. I apologise in advance if this OP turns into a wall of text but I have tried to do some research prior to this post.
I feel...
So my friends try to explain it to me and everytime they do, i come to the conclusion that they're the same. I just don't understand. If somebody studies computer science, what do they learn? If somebody studies software engineer, what do they learn?
I'm a freshman in college right now and I'm still unable to decide what I want to do in the future...
I think physics is my true passion, and I came into college wanting to do that. But I've been really discouraged by all the stories of physics people being unable to find jobs (and I don't...
What is a CS course that covers how software and hardware are connected? This probably seems simple to most but I have no clue as to how this interaction works. A lot of the courses I've looked up seem to be either hardware or software only. Also, is there a name for this area of CS so I can...
Howdy All!
I have been lurking in the shadows of physicsforums for a few months now, but this is my first official post here.
A bit of background about me. I'm technically in my second year of university, but I say "technically" because I more or less squandered away my first year. I'm...
hi physicsts
I had completed my b.tech in computer science and engineering and want to pursue a career as a good astrophysicst. Now in India there is an intergrated Msc-PhD programme at indian institute of astroastrphysics
and they allow b.tech grads to do astrophysics if they have good...
Hi Every one, I'm a mechanical engineering graduate working in software quality assurance. I'm planning to learn the fundamentals concepts of computing and pursue an MS in computing which would enable me to get into research or into tech companies like google.
Could anyone explain what areas...
Title kind of explains what I'm trying to do here. I know exactly how radix sort is SUPPOSED to work but I just don't have a clue how to go about coding it.
Basically what I am asking for is some java based pseudo-code just to get me in the right direction.
I'm specifically sorting an...
Moving forward after the "useless" Computer Science Major
Let's face it, general consensus is a CS major is about as useless as you can get when it comes to the sciences. While you're taking your undergrad, they fill your heads with these lofty ideas and practical uses of computer science...
I absolutely love every thing about computer science. I love complexity theory, AI, machine learning, Theory of Computation, Algorithms, etc. etc.
But I know that if I get a bachelors degree in computer science then I will just end up in a software development job where I don't get to apply...
Hello, for the academic year of 2010- 2011, I was accepted to computer science but lately my focus is towards engineering. I'm thinking of switching right away to the department of engineering, but was asking for advice. Do you believe that I should stay for a semester and see how it is, or just...
What kind of people are well suited to be engineers? Who would excel and enjoy a career in engineering? Could you describe the ideal person to be an engineer?
More then anything I love science and mathematics. I am very interested in technology, especially computer hardware and software. I...
Are there many research careers for people with PhDs in computer science? Are they many opportunities for them? How high demand is there for them?
Also, what else can you do with a PhD in computer science?
Hello! I am very interested in mathematics and computer science, especially theoretical computer science.
Do people with a bachelors degree in computer science have boring jobs? Is it just mindless programming or are they involved with software design? Are they boring/bad jobs?
what do you do in this course I'm taking it in the winter what's it about, what should i do ahead of time of it gives me some advantage. talking realistically.
this is the course code CSCA20H for UofT S.C. if you anyone took it tell me something about it.
edit: do i have to know programing...
I understand the formal definition for big O notation but is there an intuitive interpretation?. For example, if
f(x) = O(x-1/4)
is it reasonable to say that for large n f(x) grows at the same rate as n-1/4?
Thanks in advance