caught in a frustrating dilema, I really need to choose now.

[mo16]

im currently completing my second year of studies at ryerson university. Ever since I got online about 8 years ago, I have been fascinated with computers and initially I got into web design and started scripting websites, i grew profecient with photoshop dreamweaver, and slowly moved into PHP later on, I was quiet successful with all this, but most importantly this kind of defines my interest in a computer related field. Now I made a mistake coming out of high school, I only took calculus, I did not take physics or algebra, I did manage an 82 in calculus but at the time I just was not into academics, and i ended up applying to a general business program at mac, I went to mcmaster for first year, didnt do too well there since I really wasnt at all into the first year business courses offered, I transfered over to Ryerson, and I am currently enrolled in thier IT program, it is a IT management program, a BCOM degree. It has a applications development stream, here are the courses offered

http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2008-2009/pg1799.html

and here is the curriculum for the computer science degree at ryerson

http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2008-2009/pg1191.html

as you can see the first one is more business oriented, I do not think I will get involved with hardcore programming or do you guys think the applications development option is decent?

for me the dilema is whether i should switch my major to computer science, the problem is that I have not taken any math courses in the past, so I would really have to start from scratch while I am already 2 years into my IT management degree. Also on the side I want to finish my accounting courses, so if i was to do a comp sci major, id def want to do a minor in accounting, in case i decide to pursue a CA in the future.

I already took a year off after high school, and changing my major now to comp sci will further put me 2 years behind, would it be worthed? or do you guys think that the IT degree is good enough keeping in mind that I would be self teaching myself over these years.

If i do decide to stay with IT, I will be heavily interested in doing masters in computer science, but would the schools really consider me? especially the top schools such as waterloo despite my good grades since I didn't really major in a specialized computer science degree, or would they look at my IT management degree and feel its good enough to consider me for a comp sci masters program.

If i can pursue a masters comp sci degree, after my bachelors in IT management (bcom), I wouldn't want to change my major now, since it would take too much time but I am interested in computers and this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have to make a decision soon and stick by it, any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Dan]

Well you did not realy say what you want to do with computers witch matters alot.

If it is web design, photoshop, dreamweaver and a bit of php then you probly do not want to go in computer sciecne and should stick with a web development program or IT.

However if you are intrested in "hardcore" programming, algorithms, lots of math, and a bit of software design on the side then you probly want computer science.

There are also other options like software engerining, computer engerning, mangment infromation systems and others witch you might want to look in to.

As for a masters in computer science from a IT managment (bcom), i would think it would be unlikey that you would get accpected if you don't have any math background or even many corses on the sciences side of things. Each university is diffrent but most have a list of corses or equlivents they want there masters students to have in math and computer sci for masters of computer sci, they also tend to like undergrad degrees in the sciences and not the arts, particatly math based degresses.

[mo16]

I am interested in hardcore programming, so I am confused as to switching my major now while already being more then half way through my current one, or taking a few courses later and doing masters.

[OneOffDriveByPoster]

mo16 @ Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:01 am wrote:

I am interested in hardcore programming, so I am confused as to switching my major now while already being more then half way through my current one, or taking a few courses later and doing masters.

If you take CS courses up to and including a third year level, I think you have a shot at CS masters. Otherwise, you are better off taking another bachelor's degree. Does your school have a dual-degree option? If you are interested in doing the programming, having just the IT management degree may land you in a project management position where the programmers find you are telling them how to do their job too much.

[wtd]

Option C: chuck it all and become an art student.

[jbking]

Can we expand a little on what you call "hardcore programming" as I have a somewhat varied opinion on what it can mean.

If you mean writing your own Java compiler or building your own operating system from scratch, then switch to the Comp Sci and be prepared for lots of Math as it seems common among most Comp Sci programs these days.

If though you mean building a web application so that a business user can see what is in a database, or learning about Databases with MS Access, then stick where you are. If you want to be on the business-y end of IT then you are fine.

Another way to view this is about what part of Computer Science are you wanting to focus in on and do the Master's thesis?

[mo16]

web design was just a start of my interest in computers, I am sure many comp sci graduates who applied to comp sci programs coming out of high school had not written their own OS from scratch, I have a good idea of what I am getting into, sure I do not have a self designed compiler to show for it, but I don't need any of that to pursue my interests in such a field. My foremost concern is the fact that I am already more than halfway into my current program, so if it were possible for me to take a few extra courses after graduation and then do well in these courses, and then be able to get into a good graduate comp sci program, I wouldn't consider changing my current major. However if thats a far stretch then I might very well take my time and switch right now.

[jernst]

It may be possible to get into a masters program with what you are in, especially since IT is related to comp sci. You would probably have a harder time but they do have an option where they accept you for the masters program and let you "catch up" on the areas they think you might lacking in (ie your math). Depending on what you plan to go into for your masters you may not every area of math, for example something like HCI (Human Computer Interaction) may be heavy on stats while other areas such as algorithms may be heavier on calculus and algebra. Another way to help your chances may be to try to get involved in some undergrad research projects if you school has them, and try to get to know professors well so that they will give you a good reference (especially the computer profs because this is where you want to do your master in).

You may also be able to put forward different types of proposals for your masters that some people in standard cs might not think of. For example you may come up with an idea that is more business oriented and combined with a computing idea. This may make your background more attractive to profs than other students. Alot of getting into the masters program is about getting someone to listen to your idea for research.

If it were me, I would recommend that you do whatever you are most interested in. You don't want to go through all the schooling and end up in a place you don't like. But you also don't want to waste all of your time switching between subjects so its a fine balance I suppose.

[ali_dada]

Well,

I wrote a huge advice post, but this is much more appropriate:

At the end of your career, you would have retired and nobody (including you) would have cared whether you were a comp. sci. grad or an ITM grad or anyother XYZ program grad.

However, each year you take longer to study - you loose that year from your career life. Now say, today the average salary is $50,000/yr. Lets say that in our career lifetime, the average salary will be $80,000/yr. So, you already lost $80,000/yr already as you took that year off (unless you made that that much during that year).

So, it is upto you. Personally I don't understand your problem - you are passing and in 2nd year - why even bother with switching. That is truly being un-thankful for what you have. Change only if you are failing or you truly truly don't want to work in that field.

However, its your choice.

[Tony]

ali_dada @ Fri Oct 24, 2008 8:57 pm wrote:

So, you already lost $80,000/yr already

I think you are looking at it the wrong way.

It's hard to put a price on going through a career where your goal is to retire.

[ali_dada]

Well Tony,

Everybody has a different take on things. I don't think about retiring as I haven't even started it.

Hard to explain but this thinking works for me.

[Vertico]

I think the OP is looking for something more then just "a little extra cash in the pocket." Holding a masters is an amazing achievement that not many can claim to have. If he has the desire, knowledge and willpower to pull it off, then all the more to him.


To the OP:

If your seriously considering changing courses, it would be best to talk with your current professors, get in contact with the professors from the courses your interested in, and even try and find anyone who runs the master programs for some information. They would all have more insight on your problem then most people here.