Programs What can be done with a Comp. Sci. minor?

[gasaway.ryan]

Hey folks, I'm currently a Math and Philosophy double major but have recently come to realize how impractical these degrees are in regard to getting a "real job." I'm thinking about picking up a minor in CS; thing is, I've never studied it at all.

First question: Is this a good idea? I've always been vaguely interested in the discipline but haven't really thought about doing anything with it until recently, mainly because of its practicality and close relationship with mathematics.

Second question: Can I get a job or go to graduate school for CS with only a minor in the discipline?

 

[Ivan92]

Try teaching yourself some a little bit of a programming language. I suggest C++ for starters as that is what most Colleges/Universities begin with. Try it for a bit and see if it is something you see doing for a job. Keep in mind, of course coding will become more complex the farther you advance.

As for the second question, I'm going to quote something the Computer Science Department put on their site regarding CS Minors.

There is a high demand for computer skills in many industries, particularly in the business and scientific fields. The benefits aren't limited to these fields--a minor in Computer Science will complement any field of study.

So I would say you can grab a job with a minor in CS. However, I am not sure if you can go to Grad school for CS if you minor in it.

 

[TMFKAN64]

Way back in the dark ages when I went to CS grad school, my officemate had an undergrad degree in physics, not CS.

He knew a *lot* about computer systems design and programming though. *Much* more than the typical physics major.

So it's rare, but not impossible.