Have a BSc in Psychology, want to learn Compsci (Software Engineering)

[paperbag846]

Hello,

I have my UG in Psychology, and I really regret that decision.

I would like to work as a software designer one day. However, I have almost no skills in programming YET and would like to develop them.

Are there any masters programs in compsci that would take someone with little background in the field?

Would I be better off doing another undergrad (bleh)?

Any advice welcome. Thanks!

[Tony]

How did you figure that this (CS/SE) is something that you want to do?

[paperbag846]

Ok here goes:

I'm very much into neuroscience? Why? It's one massive puzzle. It's a biological system with unknowns, countless variables, etc.

I've always wanted to learn programming, but i had a lot of issues with self-esteem in the past. I didn't think I was smart enough to do it. I don't feel that way anymore.

SE / CS is all the things that I like about neuroscience (the problem solving, the complex systems, etc) that I can apply in a non-academic context. I was recently accepted into my MSc in Bio (neuroscience -- matlab and fMRI work), and realized that while it might be fun, I don't want to work in a lab all day for the rest of my life. I want to develop a skill set that I can apply to the real world.

My two options are medicine, and computer science, in this respect. I know, based on my personality (project-oriented), passion for creativity, and love of computers, that programming would be something I would be able to apply in different ways through my whole life and never get bored. However, I need training in the skill set.

PS - I am good at math, but not a whiz. I excel as soon as the math becomes something applied, where I can see the utility. I like to think of math as a tool... so when I am exposed to it in the abstract sense, I falter, when it is applied to a real problem, I excel.

Because of this, I see SE/CS being something that I would quite enjoy and have a happy career in.

[Tony]

I don't know enough about grad level programs, but I feel that another undergrad might not be the best option. The thing is, undergrad academic CS/SE teaches every little programming. There are a couple of introductory classes in the first years to get everyone up to speed on the basics, but you'd be learning to program largely on your own. Assignments are simply a motivation for you to learn to program, but not every CS course is heavy on programming assignments (or has such at all). It's definitely possible to get through a CS degree without being able to write any working code.

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2007/02/why-cant-programmers-program.html

My suggestion -- pick up programming as a hobby, and self study with books/tutorials/forums. Pursue some project, make that iPhone game, etc. You can gradually transition that into a career, or maybe even find some middle ground. There's growth in the field of medical computation, and you'd probably have a lot of advantage over typical kids jumping into the field because "I've heard there's money in it".

P.S.

Quote:

I don't want to work in a lab all day for the rest of my life

interestingly enough, a lot of students are hesitant to go into Computer Science because they "don't want to work in a cubicle all day".

[paperbag846]

Haha, well the issue with lab work isn't the lab itself - it's the poor job prospects. Competition is stiff, jobs at universities are vanishing... I want a skill set that I can apply to the business world without being in a marketing department. I want to generate valuable things, not "value".

Are the college-level courses that teach programming? Beginning to learn programming on my own is a rather daunting task - just at the beginning. I would really like to get my feet wet in SOME sort of directed environment.

[Tony]

There are certainly individual courses that will make a directed introduction. But so is reading a textbook in the suggested order. So it depends on just how much instruction you are looking for.