Help! Can't make decision.

[fantasy]

Hi. I'm a grade 12 student that will be graduating this year. I've already got all my acceptance offers from universities, but I've yet to decide on which program I should follow through with.

I've basically narrowed it down to three choices

Software Engineering - Waterloo
Computer Science - Waterloo
Computer Science - UofT St. George

I'm looking for a future dealing with more of the software and application aspects of computer programming. I would love to hear other people's comments or any experiences that might help me decide which would be the best path for me to take.

Thanks in advace

[Tony]

Computer Science (at least at UW) is not Programming. It's Math and... Computer Science.

Although having said that, UW CS majors often make kickass programmers.

Really, it's all just different parts of the same gradient. You can get the same jobs regardless of the program of study.

[btiffin]

I won't try and influence your decision. I'll just say; three accepts ... well done, very well done.

Ok I will try and influence your decision, but using a form of reverse psychology. You need to react by gut feel to the statements in bold; it may help.

You only got accepted to the U of T program. Ok did you immediately think yippee or hmm, rats? If yippee, your gut knows.

You only got accepted to CompSci. Same question; yippee or disappointment?

You only got accepted to S Eng. Yippee or disappointment?

It is a little tricky making yourself think that way; and the the gut feel is fleeting ... mere seconds or less before your brain starts with the questions and worries; but give it a try. Or even better, have someone tell you where you are going to go and see how you react - mere seconds is all you really get for this to work.

Once again congratulations on being spoilt for choice.
Cheers

[syntax_error]

Software Engineering - Waterloo (Y)

basiced on the fact you want to get into
"I'm looking for a future dealing with more of the software and application aspects"


seems logical to me no?

[Prabhakar Ragde]

I teach CS at UW, but I don't want students in the program who would be better off somewhere else. So let me try to sketch some aspects of the decision.

The first two years at UTStG are taught by lecturers, not research faculty. It's a better place to be a grad student than an undergraduate. That said, if you do the specialist program and take the enriched courses, it should be pretty decent.

SE and CS at UW draw on the same set of courses -- after first year, you can as a CS major take nearly all the courses that SE students are required to take, if you want to. What CS offers is a first year that is unique in Canada (see my guest post on Tony's blog) and a lot of choice after that. We seriously want you to learn more than just computer science -- areas of application and things that will make you well-rounded -- and if you change your mind or want to do a double honours or a minor, it's relatively easy to do without having decided to do it from day one. What SE offers is the cohort system where you're with the same people for most of your classes (you're in with 4th year CS or ECE students for some advanced technical electives). Oh, and status as a professional engineer.

The math requirements for CS at UW are more stringent than the other two -- I think Tony's blogged about the reasons for that. --PR

[fantasy]

Thanks for the replies guys

Tony:
Well that takes some pressure off the decision I guess.

btiffin:
Thanks! but I only felt "yippee" from the UofT because it was the last one to arrive. I really don't have enough preference to be "yippee" or "disappointed.

syntax_error:
Well I heard the Software Engineering program, since its joint with the Engineering faculty, the students are also required to take science courses such as physics or chemistry. I also heard that it's a harder course than Computer Science, but I'm not really sure about it, so that's why I'm asking here.

Prabhakar Ragde:
I see, I checked out the blog about the "6 Degrees of Computer Science" and it provided alot of information about them.

All in all, thanks for the replies. I still don't have a definite decision yet, but it looks like I'm leaning more to the Software Engineering route.

[Prabhakar Ragde]

Because SE is an accredited engineering program, there are various requirements that seem to have little to do with software, such as credits in the physical sciences.

SE is not "harder" than CS -- in fact, CS students take harder math, statistics, algorithms, and data structures courses. Because SE is more nailed down, though, CS students abusing their freedom could fill their elective choices with the easiest courses they can find, so the weakest CS graduate is probably worse off than the weakest SE graduate. By the same token, the strongest CS graduate is probably better off. When the SE program started, it had a very high cutoff average, due to its novelty and limited enrollment. The cutoff is now about the same as CS.

[ali_dada]

My suggestion: Go for Computer Science...at which university? Dunno, but if any one offers Co-op, that would be my first choice.

Reason: Software Engineering even though entitles you to get PEng, it only limits you to one expect...Software Engineering. However Computer Science allows you to take courses and thus have knowledge of all areas of Computer Science. Besides, Computer Science graduates also work as Software Engineers.

In terms of difficulty: Software Engineering, if I can conclude from the single software engineering course I just finished, seems to be more easier in the sense that it does not involve hardcore programming and other Comp. Sci. concepts however, it deals extensively with theory, project managments --- basically dealing with software projects from getting contracts to giving the customer the finished product.

My suggestion for you for the summer: Sharpen up (or atleast introduce yourself if not familiar) with C, and Java.

Conclusion: Congratulations man on the offers.

[Tony]

ali_dada @ Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:05 pm wrote:

if I can conclude from the single software engineering course I just finished, seems to be more easier in the sense that it does not involve hardcore programming

A lot of CS courses do not involve programming at all (logic, proofs, math, design, etc).

[ali_dada]

true Tony, I guess it is my lack of knowledge regarding Software Eng program.

Read up the list of the courses for the both programs on the University websites and see which ones interests you more.