Software Engineering after BBA?

[andrew_]

Is it likely that I would be able to do software engineering in grad school with a business degree? (my transcript isn't math/computer science heavy though). I'm graduating next spring (2012). I know a lot of science people think that business degrees are phony degrees (one of my computer science professors for example) but I love managing people, public speaking etc.. and my business gpa is around a 3.67 so I think I made a reasonable choice. The typical way for business majors to redeem themselves in academia is to go to law school which is suggested most to me.

But could I/should I (if possible), try software engineering instead? I like programming and have since high school but I find it a bit mundane at the university level, like a chore. For me it's more of a hobby (creating personal software/games more interests me). I'm also not sure I have the patience for high level math courses or low level programming. I prefer using my logic and reasoning skills more immediately, directly, like writing or speaking.

I was doing some research and came across the 6 Degrees of Computer Science ( http://compsci.ca/blog/6-degrees-of-computer-science/ ) article. The abstract ("larger picture"), communications, business, and management aspects of software engineering all sound interesting. But I'm not sure I'm interested in a math/science heavy workload. I haven't really taken those courses either. Maybe I should look out for a MBA/software engineering or computer science program or better yet LLB (Bachelor of Laws)/software engineering or computer science program but I don't think the last one exists yet and would probably fall under the realm of intellectual property law.

[DemonWasp]

If you don't like the math or the science, can you elaborate on what you do like? Most of computer science is math and science and logic. Perhaps you meant computer programming, which is about writing software, or software architecture, which is about designing entire programs. Both of those are best done with a solid foundation in computer science, but that isn't absolutely required.

Most of a competent undergraduate CS program is going to involve learning the math to deal with software and learning about the "classic" problems of computer science: operating systems, real-time, compilers, graphics, networking, scientific computing, etc.

You may want to try sitting in on a course you find particularly interesting. Most professors will not have a problem with this, as most CS classes are about 50% empty.

[andrew_]

DemonWasp @ Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:38 am wrote:

If you don't like the math or the science, can you elaborate on what you do like? Most of computer science is math and science and logic. Perhaps you meant computer programming, which is about writing software, or software architecture, which is about designing entire programs. Both of those are best done with a solid foundation in computer science, but that isn't absolutely required.

Most of a competent undergraduate CS program is going to involve learning the math to deal with software and learning about the "classic" problems of computer science: operating systems, real-time, compilers, graphics, networking, scientific computing, etc.

You may want to try sitting in on a course you find particularly interesting. Most professors will not have a problem with this, as most CS classes are about 50% empty.

I can't say that I don't like math or science, but I haven't taken many courses in those areas so someone could draw the conclusion that I don't like them.

I think I'm most interested in software architecture. Like software that enhances learning, software that may make people more efficient (business plan pro, outlook, quicken), the code behind what points to books I may like on amazon.com for example based on what I and others like me like, Organizing good information.

If I started working on the fundamentals of algebra, biology, calculus, chemistry, geometry, physics etc.. tomorrow, are there any standardized tests I can point to in the future because I wouldn't have grades for them on my transcript?

[yoursecretninja]

If you had a good GPA I'm sure you won't have difficulty getting into a science or engineering program. I had a college diploma in business administration and was admitted into computer science without any problem. In fact, I received a bunch of transfer credit so I only had one humanity course to take and had to complete the science, comp sci, and math requirements of the degree program. This was even despite not having the required calculus and algebra courses from high school (I did finance math and stats in college). The only issue with not having those maths was that for the first math course I took in university I had to go get an override from the admins to take the class because I was originally automatically de-registered from the class because my transcript didn't have the prerequisites on it. But that was just a five minute conversation explaining my circumstances and I was good to go.

The moral is that admission will likely not be problem. It's pretty straightforward for students transferring from college or doing a second degree to get into a program and universities have special procedures in place for this. The question is, is software engineering what you want to do? If you are unsure about about the maths I'd go sit in on some math classes or even register for one as a non-declared student to get a feel for it. Having such a lacking background in math myself and not having even take a math course since second year of college (which was 7 years ago and much simpler than what was offered in university!) I was really nervous about that too. I actually ended up really enjoying the math and have done well. After two years in the program I have an 87% percent average.

It may sound corny but if you put your mind to something you can do it and you can do it well. What you really need to figure out is what you want to do. It took me a while to figure that out. I worked in marketing for a few years after college and was not happy. That's what led me to go back to school. I now work as a developer (in addition to going to school) and I love my job. I get a real rush from working on new products that I never experienced in the business world and I know this time around I made the right decision.

Anyway, I hope my story is helpful to you as you try to figure out your path. Best of luck!

[andrew_]

yoursecretninja @ Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:18 pm wrote:

If you had a good GPA I'm sure you won't have difficulty getting into a science or engineering program. I had a college diploma in business administration and was admitted into computer science without any problem. In fact, I received a bunch of transfer credit so I only had one humanity course to take and had to complete the science, comp sci, and math requirements of the degree program. This was even despite not having the required calculus and algebra courses from high school (I did finance math and stats in college). The only issue with not having those maths was that for the first math course I took in university I had to go get an override from the admins to take the class because I was originally automatically de-registered from the class because my transcript didn't have the prerequisites on it. But that was just a five minute conversation explaining my circumstances and I was good to go.

The moral is that admission will likely not be problem. It's pretty straightforward for students transferring from college or doing a second degree to get into a program and universities have special procedures in place for this. The question is, is software engineering what you want to do? If you are unsure about about the maths I'd go sit in on some math classes or even register for one as a non-declared student to get a feel for it. Having such a lacking background in math myself and not having even take a math course since second year of college (which was 7 years ago and much simpler than what was offered in university!) I was really nervous about that too. I actually ended up really enjoying the math and have done well. After two years in the program I have an 87% percent average.

It may sound corny but if you put your mind to something you can do it and you can do it well. What you really need to figure out is what you want to do. It took me a while to figure that out. I worked in marketing for a few years after college and was not happy. That's what led me to go back to school. I now work as a developer (in addition to going to school) and I love my job. I get a real rush from working on new products that I never experienced in the business world and I know this time around I made the right decision.

Anyway, I hope my story is helpful to you as you try to figure out your path. Best of luck!

Thanks!