Comp Sci and IT

[Makro]

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If you're wanting to become a programmer, which course would you be looking more at..? That post blew everything I had in mind.

[Ben1220]

A good programmer? Computer Science or Software Engineering. Although it is possible to learn the syntax of programming languages by yourself or at a tafe course or something, computer science is essentially the chemistry of information, and it will make you exponentially better. Eg more efficient algorithms, appropriate use of the different Programming paradigms depending on the context, average programmers probably get stuck using the same kind of style all the times, where as good programmers will adapt to the situation.

Yes there is much much more to computer science then just programming, but knowing the theory makes you a better programmer/ software engineer in the long run. Its not for everyone though, in fact its probably not even for most people. If you want to focus more on the front end, web design ect, you don't really imagine yourself doing more then standard software or simple web apps, or if you don't enjoy maths then you could probably manage with some more technically/vocationally based degree where you learn more about programming techniques and specific technologies, from somewhere like swinburne.

Something like this maybe: Bachelor of Computing at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

although thats at the upper end of what I'm talking about, a little more emphasis on design/testing and something on algorithm analysis and that could pass as software engineering...

Expect a fairly standard/average programming career though. Eg getting payed 6 figures to optimise google's search engine or something like that would be out of the question. It depends on what you find enjoyable.

[ntrinh]

Originally Posted by Ben1220

Yes there is much much more to computer science then just programming, but knowing the theory makes you a better programmer/ software engineer in the long run. Its not for everyone though, in fact its probably not even for most people. If you want to focus more on the front end, web design ect, you don't really imagine yourself doing more then standard software or simple web apps, or if you don't enjoy maths then you could probably manage with some more technically/vocationally based degree where you learn more about programming techniques and specific technologies, from somewhere like swinburne.

Something like this maybe: Bachelor of Computing at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

I agree with you Ben. If you hate maths, choose a course with more vocationally based degree. Swinburne does offer great programming course so there is only 2 math subjects involved and they are not hard at all. After the first year, you will start really focus on programming. You could choose electives subjects to do network security programming or game programming. They are all very exciting stuffs.

Swinburne

You can also check this out: Bachelor of Information Technology at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

Good luck!

[runningman]

Unis like Usyd have compulsory maths subjects such as linear alegra, calulus, stats etc. These would be quite hard without 2 unit. There are fundamental math units - i think you can choose to do those but im not sure.
Although if you can understand computer science/IT related concepts easily you should be fine with the maths in those actual subjects.
Also, you can do a Comp Sci degree or IT degree at usyd and both allow majors in either computer science or information systems.