Dan @ Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:28 pm wrote:
On a completely different note, does any one else think "Computer Science" is a horrible name for what the program consists of?
Yep. But the same argument applies to this website.
Computer Science Canada Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
| Author: | D_homes [ Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
I was browsing eINFO and comparing the computer science programs of some universities I am interested in. (I have to apply by January 11th) Several universities have the program "Computing Science" as opposed to "Computer Science" (i.e UOIT). Is there a difference between the two? I'm assuming that in Computing Science you would write software that is science related, such as Biomedical applications. I'm probably wrong though. Thanks. |
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| Author: | Tony [ Fri Oct 28, 2011 3:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
computing noun "the use or operation of computers" so yeah, sounds different. I'd be careful and look at exactly what such a program is (in specific: what classes it is made up of), and not make assumptions. |
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| Author: | yoursecretninja [ Fri Oct 28, 2011 8:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
First off, definitely follow Tony's advise. Personally, I've always thought the terms were synonymous. And if Wikipedia is to be trusted (?), it looks like they are: Quote: Despite its name, a significant amount of computer science does not involve the study of computers themselves. Because of this, several alternative names have been proposed. Certain departments of major universities prefer the term computing science, to emphasize precisely that difference. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_science
Edit: Also note that computing may also refer to the act of computation (not necessarily involving the use or operation of computers). And computation, according to this dictionary on Princeton's website, is a synonym for calculation, which is defined as "problem solving that involves numbers or quantities. Ref: http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=computation Computing or computational science seemingly more accurately describes what I study in school than computer science does. |
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| Author: | Dan [ Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
Although I would not base which program you pick on this, it could effect potential employment if employers are looking for "Computer Science" graduates and your degree says "Computing Science". As Tony pointed out, it would be best to take a look at what classes are involved and how standardized the degree is. On a completely different note, does any one else think "Computer Science" is a horrible name for what the program consists of? Assuming "Computing Science" is the same program, it would be a much more appropriate name. Edit: Just saw that yoursecretninja mentioned the same thing. |
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| Author: | Brightguy [ Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:33 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
Dan @ Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:28 pm wrote: On a completely different note, does any one else think "Computer Science" is a horrible name for what the program consists of?
Yep. But the same argument applies to this website. |
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| Author: | mirhagk [ Sat Oct 29, 2011 4:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
I think computer science implies you learn how computers work, and how to manipulate and use them, while computing science implies you learn how to compute, or calculate things. I don't think either name fully applies, and computing science kinda seems like the computer is used simply as a tool to use, rather than something being studied. |
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| Author: | Insectoid [ Sat Oct 29, 2011 5:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Computer Science vs. Computing Science |
Brightguy @ Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:33 am wrote: Dan @ Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:28 pm wrote: On a completely different note, does any one else think "Computer Science" is a horrible name for what the program consists of?
Yep. But the same argument applies to this website. Compsci.ca is pretty much all about programming (computer science), and most of the users are Canadian, so I'd say the name is fine. "Computer Programming Canada" doesn't really roll off the tongue, or abbreviate nicely. I guess you could say computing science is about storing, transmitting, and manipulating data. All fields do this, but in a very specific sense. A biologist will typically work with biological data, and a construction worker will work with building data (blueprints), whereas computing science is about working with any data in any field. Doesn't matter to us what the data is. We just need to find a way to store, transmit and/or manipulate it in the best way possible (most often in digital systems). Unless that falls to engineers... I stumbled on to a new (for me) way to multiply the other day, that involves nothing more than drawing parallel and perpendicular lines and counting the intersections. I'd call that a method of manipulating data, and I'd call it computing science. I came up with this definition as I wrote this, so there are probably some glaring holes in it that I haven't noticed. If you see them, point them out. |
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