Just wanted to add that practically any degree from Penn State, esp. one in any of the majors in the Eberly College of Science or The College of Engineering, is sufficiently broad and well-rounded in its curriculum to facilitate a transition to another field down the road. Premed for example, was 64 cr. science, 64 cr. non-science. If i recall correctly the core science requirements early on are similar for Science and Engineering students -- Physics 201,202,203/204, Chem 12,13, etc. (i know, the course numbers have probably changed, the Physics sequence is different now, but u get the idea). Also, I was definitely one of those science/engineering types that began college regarding liberal arts courses outside my major as bulls@*t -- in the end, some of my most memorable and enjoyable coursework was in pursuit of my "useless" minor in Philosophy. After undergrad, u will find yourself learning more and more about less and less, and will long for the days when u had the chance to learn a little bit about everything. Point is, you'll leave Happy Valley having learned how to think, regardless of your major. The analytical and problem solving skills u pick up there will prove invaluable in all your future endeavors. I found that success in my graduate study in Computer Science was more dependent on my passion for the subject than on the fact that my undergraduate major was Premedicine. The key is to be open-minded and honest with yourself, and find where your true talent and interests lie. And don't forget to take Theatre 100!!!
I graduated from PSU with a B.S. in Premedicine, then went on to Villanova University for an M.S. in Computer Science. Wish i could go back and start over with Comp Sci, Comp Eng, or EE from PSU. The great thing about PSU is that all 3 majors are housed in the College of Engineering (I believe CS was moved over from the Eberly College of Science in 1994 or 1995...I think there has been some talk of moving it into the 'Information Science' dept recently, not sure of that). Anyway, that makes the overlap and mobility between the 3 majors much more significant at PSU than at schools like VU where CS is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Moreover, CS majors at PSU are required to meet all the general requirements for Engineering -- I for one would consider this a more "rigorous" curriculum than most, and i think that reflects well -- I was sort of alarmed when V.U. didn't require me to have Differential Equations or Multivariable Calculus (Math 140 and 141 from PSU was enough to meet the calc prerequisite for their M.S. in CS). Penn State Engineering has a really solid reputation, terrific funding and resources, and is heavily recruited by major corporations -- you will be well served by any of the 3 degrees. Keep in mind that Comp Eng grads (and to some extent, EE, as well) can usu. go for software positions intended for CS majors, but the converse usu. does not apply. So if u want to keep your options open along hardware/software lines, Comp Eng is probably your best bet. If I had my life to live over again, thats what i would have done (along with spending less time at Players and Cafe 210 West). Go Lions!!!
Boyce-Codd was a reference to Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) -- u know, database normalization a step 'better' than just 3NF. My earlier post regarding my choice for the name of the MySQL dolphin 'Norman Albert Form III' (norm al form the third) a.k.a. Normie was a reference to Third Normal Form (3NF)... i guess a a shiny new M.S. in Computer Science doesn't make me much of a comedian
Slashdot Mirror
Turn to the person next to you and silently mouth the words "elephant shoe" ...ask them what they think u said...
Just wanted to add that practically any degree from Penn State, esp. one in any of the majors in the Eberly College of Science or The College of Engineering, is sufficiently broad and well-rounded in its curriculum to facilitate a transition to another field down the road. Premed for example, was 64 cr. science, 64 cr. non-science. If i recall correctly the core science requirements early on are similar for Science and Engineering students -- Physics 201,202,203/204, Chem 12,13, etc. (i know, the course numbers have probably changed, the Physics sequence is different now, but u get the idea). Also, I was definitely one of those science/engineering types that began college regarding liberal arts courses outside my major as bulls@*t -- in the end, some of my most memorable and enjoyable coursework was in pursuit of my "useless" minor in Philosophy. After undergrad, u will find yourself learning more and more about less and less, and will long for the days when u had the chance to learn a little bit about everything. Point is, you'll leave Happy Valley having learned how to think, regardless of your major. The analytical and problem solving skills u pick up there will prove invaluable in all your future endeavors. I found that success in my graduate study in Computer Science was more dependent on my passion for the subject than on the fact that my undergraduate major was Premedicine. The key is to be open-minded and honest with yourself, and find where your true talent and interests lie. And don't forget to take Theatre 100!!!
I graduated from PSU with a B.S. in Premedicine, then went on to Villanova University for an M.S. in Computer Science. Wish i could go back and start over with Comp Sci, Comp Eng, or EE from PSU. The great thing about PSU is that all 3 majors are housed in the College of Engineering (I believe CS was moved over from the Eberly College of Science in 1994 or 1995...I think there has been some talk of moving it into the 'Information Science' dept recently, not sure of that). Anyway, that makes the overlap and mobility between the 3 majors much more significant at PSU than at schools like VU where CS is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Moreover, CS majors at PSU are required to meet all the general requirements for Engineering -- I for one would consider this a more "rigorous" curriculum than most, and i think that reflects well -- I was sort of alarmed when V.U. didn't require me to have Differential Equations or Multivariable Calculus (Math 140 and 141 from PSU was enough to meet the calc prerequisite for their M.S. in CS). Penn State Engineering has a really solid reputation, terrific funding and resources, and is heavily recruited by major corporations -- you will be well served by any of the 3 degrees. Keep in mind that Comp Eng grads (and to some extent, EE, as well) can usu. go for software positions intended for CS majors, but the converse usu. does not apply. So if u want to keep your options open along hardware/software lines, Comp Eng is probably your best bet. If I had my life to live over again, thats what i would have done (along with spending less time at Players and Cafe 210 West). Go Lions!!!
Boyce-Codd was a reference to Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF) -- u know, database normalization a step 'better' than just 3NF. My earlier post regarding my choice for the name of the MySQL dolphin 'Norman Albert Form III' (norm al form the third) a.k.a. Normie was a reference to Third Normal Form (3NF)... i guess a a shiny new M.S. in Computer Science doesn't make me much of a comedian
How 'bout Boyce-Codd?
Norman Albert Form III a.k.a. Normie