Joint Honours Waterloo?

[icy_wind03]

I am interested in doing both math and computer science at Waterloo and I discovered you must decide that second year. Does anyone know if there is any chance I'd have problems adding a second major? And which would be better to apply for now, math or computer science?

[Tony]

icy_wind03 @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:08 pm wrote:

And which would be better to apply for now, math or computer science?

Even though the first year is the same, math has cheaper tuition. Though the administration wouldn't be happy if you try to switch to CS after.

Also, have you considered BMATH(CS) instead of doing a double major?

[icy_wind03]

does that mean ill have problems adding computer science? cause if i will id rather apply to it now.

and BMATH(CS)? does that mean i apply to the faculty of math then specialize?

thanks.

[Tony]

If you think you'll be primarily in CS, then it's safer to get into it from the start. There are two versions of Computer Science -- BCS and BMATH/CS. The latter has more Math. Both are in the faculty of Mathematics.

[Kam]

Hi, just like icy_wind3, I am also interested in majoring in both computer science and math at Waterloo. But if i were to choose from either one of them, I'd definity choose computer science. Can anyone tell me the size of the classrooms at Waterloo? (I've asked the guy representing compsci for Waterloo and he said it was pretty small... so just wanted to comfirm)

[A.J]

Well, I applied to BCS, even though I feel that I am more math oriented, just to be safe.

[Kam]

How is the math content is BCS? Too little? Too much? I've heard from my friend in UofT who is at first year compsci that it's the math (and other non computer related courses) that he is having somewhat difficulty in. He says that his compsci course is a breeze. How is the compsci course in Waterloo?

[Tony]

Kam @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:34 pm wrote:

my friend in UofT who is at first year compsci that it's the math (and other non computer related courses) that he is having somewhat difficulty in. He says that his compsci course is a breeze.

You'd probably find first year of UW to be similar. Except that Math might be harder (being in the Math faculty) and programming will be in a language that you probably haven't done before

[[Gandalf]]

Tony @ 2009-12-02, 11:14 pm wrote:

Except that Math might be harder (being in the Math faculty)

Not so, my deluded Waterloo comrade. Though of course, things are relative and obviously the focuses of two different universities will often be quite dissimilar. That said, the first year 'CS' material will more than likely be more challenging at Waterloo, again, as a result of the differing structure / focus of the courses.

[Kam]

Okay. Thank you so much for clearing that up How long have you guys been in Waterloo? I can't wait to finish my application for Waterloo in ouac... I'm just waiting for tomorrow because I forgot to record my reference number and I couldn't log on today to fully complete my application (we all make stupid mistakes sometimes... some more stupid than others T.T)

[Tony]

Gandalf @ Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:00 am wrote:

Not so, my deluded Waterloo comrade.

Hah, I've said might I would expect UofT to be about on par with Waterloo.

Kam @ Thu Dec 03, 2009 12:17 am wrote:

How long have you guys been in Waterloo?

Too long

[Prabhakar Ragde]

Kam @ Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:35 pm wrote:

Can anyone tell me the size of the classrooms at Waterloo?

You can get section sizes from the official schedule. Do a query here (leave the course number blank to get all of them).

The difference between the BMath(CS) and BCS is mainly that the latter requires a few more upper-year Math and Math-related CS courses. There's no real difference in the first two years, and you can switch between them easily.

First-year math at UW is probably comparable to first-year math at U of T, except that UW has a course called "classical algebra" which is really about how to do math properly (that is, the techniques taught are more important than the topics). Math requirements overall are higher at UW, and UW CS courses can rely on that background.

[Tony]

Prabhakar Ragde @ Thu Dec 03, 2009 8:13 am wrote:

The difference between the BMath(CS) and BCS is mainly that the latter requires a few more upper-year Math and Math-related CS courses.

Don't you mean the "former"? That is, BMath would have a few more Math courses...

[Kam]

Yea I think he meant former. I have another question. Does Waterloo focus more on the logic and theories behind computer science rather then work on the actual language syntax?

My grade 10-11 high school teacher focused on the essence of creating algorithms and since he was a previous physics teacher, implemented some mathematics into our programming (which i really enjoyed and felt that I actually learned something). My current high school compsci teacher focuses more on the syntax of the language (we're using Java) and more detailed terms (which is okay, but I liked the challenge my previous teacher gave me).

[Prabhakar Ragde]

Kam @ Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:55 pm wrote:

Yea I think he meant former.

Sorry, yes, "former". The BMath(CS) has more math.

Quote:

I have another question. Does Waterloo focus more on the logic and theories behind computer science rather then work on the actual language syntax?

In first year, yes. No guarantees after that.