----------------------------------- MistySteele Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:42 pm University recommendations? ----------------------------------- Hi all. I'm in grade 11 right now, and I'm interested in studying computer science in university. Wondering if anyone has a recommendation of what school I should go to? Waterloo is the obvious choice (if I can get in), but I'm also considering Simon Fraser and Calgary, does anyone know anything about those? Also, as of now, I have very little knowledge of programming or computer hardware, and I have no opportunity to take a comp sci course in school (full IB doesn't give you the option T.T). Does this mean I will not be able to keep up with first year comp sci courses? ~Thanks ----------------------------------- Nick Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:07 pm RE:University recommendations? ----------------------------------- Also, as of now, I have very little knowledge of programming or computer hardware, and I have no opportunity to take a comp sci course in school (full IB doesn't give you the option T.T). Does this mean I will not be able to keep up with first year comp sci courses? [url=http://compsci.ca/blog/on-entering-the-computer-science-field-with-no-programming-background/]read ----------------------------------- Tony Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:10 pm RE:University recommendations? ----------------------------------- first year compsci courses are generally structured to allow students with no programming background to keep up. Though that might require extra effort on your part. If you are in grade 11 now, that leaves you with two summers to pick up on some basics on your own. Though if you've done very little CS, how do you know you want to pursue such a degree? ----------------------------------- MistySteele Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:26 pm Re: University recommendations? ----------------------------------- Thanks for the article and the info, I'm definitely willing to put some extra effort in to learn on my own. Though if you've done very little CS, how do you know you want to pursue such a degree? Good point, I mean I've done some basic Python and I know some of the rudimentary concepts. It's not a lot, but I found it more fun than anything else I've done in school. I'm also quite interested in networks and such, not just the WWW but telnet and Usenet as well. I love math too, and I'm always the one my friends or family ask when they're having computer problems, although I guess that doesn't mean a lot. But you're right, I'm not sure this is what I want to do, it's only one option I'm exploring. ----------------------------------- PaulButler Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:59 am RE:University recommendations? ----------------------------------- I came across an essay by Gordon Cormack, a UW CS prof that addressed this. The entire essay is here: http://plg.uwaterloo.ca/~gvcormac/labs.html