Programs I might have decided on a degree, but need some input

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A user is considering a switch to a software engineering career, believing it aligns better with their math and problem-solving skills compared to their initial premed path. They are currently in their final semester at a community college and plan to transfer to a four-year institution. The user is registered for an introductory computer science course and seeks advice on additional courses to take this fall, emphasizing the importance of not wasting time on unnecessary classes. They have completed various science and math courses but are unsure which electives would be most beneficial for a computer science degree. Suggestions include consulting with an academic advisor at the prospective four-year college to ensure course transferability and relevance to their major. The user is particularly interested in whether to take linear algebra or differential equations, as they want to ensure they are making the right choices for their future studies in computer science.
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After MUCH consideration, I think I want to be a software engineer.

Why? Because I think it's the most marketable degree that will suit my skills in math / problem solving / logic.

I am currently going to a 2 year community college. The fall will be my last semester at this 2 year college before I transfer to a 4 year. I was originally premed because I just thought "whatever" and I would be making lots of money. But after being exposed to college more, and having some time to think over the summer, I really want to switch. I want a job where I can be very smart, and use my problem solving skills. I was looking into a math / physics degree, but it seems these are not marketable. So right now, I think I might major in CS and minor in math.

For the fall, I am registered for a "Computer Concepts and Programming" course, and based on its description looks like an intro to CS, I would learn some general stuff about computers and java language, as well as a survey of other languages.

I am making this thread because I need your help with which other courses I should register for, for the fall (classes are closing out!). So far I have taken these courses (I was premed).

2 semesters of bio
2 semesters of chem
2 semesters of English
3 semesters worth of Calculus (up to multivariable calculus)
1 social science

I think it would be wise to register for useful courses that are not directly in the CS category for two reasons.

1. I am not 100% sure I want to commit to CS yet.
2. It's probably better to take CS courses at a 4 year college instead of my 2 year community college.

So what are courses I should take? I don't want to waste any more time taking courses I don't need, because I think biology and chem might have been wasted. Should I take statistics, differential equations, physics, or linear algebra? Are any of these requires for most CS degrees? Would my chem / bio fill a science requirement, meaning I would not have to take physics (I actually like physics but I really don't want to take anymore courses I don't need). Can anyone give me some advice on what to register for please?
 
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It would be a good idea to consult with an academic guidance councilor at the 4-year college that you want to transfer to. Do it as soon as you can, if classes are getting filled and closed out. That way you can find out which courses are transferable, which might not fit the requirements of the 4-year college (and might have to be retaken), and which ones might be applicable to more than one major in case you decide that CS is not for you.

Good luck, any way you decide, but don't let this decision wait.
 
turbo said:
It would be a good idea to consult with an academic guidance councilor at the 4-year college that you want to transfer to. Do it as soon as you can, if classes are getting filled and closed out. That way you can find out which courses are transferable, which might not fit the requirements of the 4-year college (and might have to be retaken), and which ones might be applicable to more than one major in case you decide that CS is not for you.

Good luck, any way you decide, but don't let this decision wait.

I don't know what college I'm transferring to yet. I think it will depend on which ever one offers scholarships to go to.

I really need to just decide on which courses to take in the fall, does anyone have any suggestions? In general, what is needed for CS degree besides CS courses, is what I'm asking.
 
ResolutE said:
I I don't want to waste any more time taking courses I don't need, because I think biology and chem might have been wasted.

There's always computational biology.
 
ResolutE said:
I don't know what college I'm transferring to yet. I think it will depend on which ever one offers scholarships to go to.

I really need to just decide on which courses to take in the fall, does anyone have any suggestions? In general, what is needed for CS degree besides CS courses, is what I'm asking.
I can't offer any more advice, I'm afraid. The transferability of your prior courses, the applicability of them to your major, etc, are going to vary, depending on where you plan to earn your 4-year degree. You really have to do the leg-work to figure out which colleges will let you transfer the 2-year credits and which will require a lot of other courses to meet their requirements.

This is going to take detailed work on your part, because there are no general rules. You might find a really great fit with your previous education, but there may be exceptions that trip you up.

Good luck.
 
Could anyone at least tell me if I should be taking linear algebra or differential equations?

Should I be taking linear algebra? Do CS people take this course? I think I read somewhere that they do... in which case I need to drop differential equations and pick this up.

Any advice on any courses?
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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