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Unread 23-07-2008, 00:16
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RyanCahoon RyanCahoon is offline
Disassembling my prior presumptions
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Re: Is a Computer Science Degree worth it???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Rotolo View Post
If you want to design computers, then go for computer science.
If you want to design more general electric/electronic circuits, go for EE
If you want to be a good programmer, take some programming classes. Computer Science is not programming.
Make sure you get your terms correct. For all the colleges, that I know of, Computer Science is "programming." (Simplification of course) "Computer building," meaning computer architecture design and the like, falls more under the category of Computer Engineering; you are correct usually closely related to EE.

Different colleges may have different terminology; this is just that's what I've observed. Moral of the story being do your research I guess.

ShawnHanna, it all depends on what area of robotics you want to work on. Like Mr. Rotolo says, find your passion. It sounds like you like to program, so do that. EE with control systems will most likely lead you through circuit and logic theory and all the EE stuff before you get to the control systems. While these are equally fascinating material, everybody likes different things.

My recommendation, for what it's worth, is if programming is your passion, go with Computer Science.

If you're worried about getting "lost in the crowd," find ways to stand out; FIRST has already been a tremendous step in the right direction. In college, look for opportunities to participate in research going on at the school (many universities offer opportunities even for undergraduates), or other projects and experiences you can add to your resume. One of the chief complaints from employers currently is that colleges graduates don't have any first hand experience in their field. Show them you're different.

--Ryan
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