First year CompSci major/minor advice please (2 Viewers)

[_santa]

Hi, I'm a new undergraduate student at CSE. I will begin my CompSci degree (single) this semester. I'm interested in Computing, Multimedia/Animation and Psychology and my dream career is in the Animation/Games industry. I hope to be a generalist with a specialty, that is, having both technical and artistic knowledge but with more skills in the technical field.

Please give me some advice on choosing the electives. There is no Multimedia major/minor so I'm a bit lost. Should I do Computing and Arts subjects as my major, and Psychology as minor?

I'm an international student and my offer was made very late so some courses I had my eyes on (Theories of the Image - SAHT1211) is already full. I'm considering Introductory Studies: Sculpture & Time Based Art - SART1302 but it seems to be too hard for me, I would be more comfortable doing theory first (this course is studio-based). Another option is to do Computing and Psychology in 1st year and start on Arts in 2nd year, but then I wouldn't have any minors, would I?

Please give me some advice on this, I really appreciate it.
Excuse my English please....

 

[ctrlaltv]

Hi, I'm a new undergraduate student at CSE. I will begin my CompSci degree (single) this semester. I'm interested in Computing, Multimedia/Animation and Psychology and my dream career is in the Animation/Games industry. I hope to be a generalist with a specialty, that is, having both technical and artistic knowledge but with more skills in the technical field.

Please give me some advice on choosing the electives. There is no Multimedia major/minor so I'm a bit lost. Should I do Computing and Arts subjects as my major, and Psychology as minor?

I'm an international student and my offer was made very late so some courses I had my eyes on (Theories of the Image - SAHT1211) is already full. I'm considering Introductory Studies: Sculpture & Time Based Art - SART1302 but it seems to be too hard for me, I would be more comfortable doing theory first (this course is studio-based). Another option is to do Computing and Psychology in 1st year and start on Arts in 2nd year, but then I wouldn't have any minors, would I?

Please give me some advice on this, I really appreciate it.
Excuse my English please....

since you want your dream career to be in the animation/games industry, I recommend sticking with computer programming courses (COMP1917, ENGG1000 etc). both animation and games require extensive amounts of programming. i'm in a similar situation to you (games/robotics) and I am doing computer/mathematical/engdesign subjects for first year in order to learn more programming for future years.

i chose:
COMP1917
MATH1131
MATH1081
ENGG1000
good luck _santa!

 

[LordPc]

Im a newbie but I dont think you can do computing, arts and psychology all at the same time

Im pretty sure you can do comp sci with psychology as a minor, but there would not be room left to do an arts major.

have you looked at this program? UNSW Handbook Program - Computer Science/Digital Media - 3982

perhaps that is what you are looking for?

 

[_santa]

Thanks, ctrlaltv! Sticking with COMP courses is probably the best way, but I hope I could learn something about Design/Arts as well, I'm thinking about devoting 24uoc or so for Arts, what do you think? My first plan is similar to yours but MATH1081 clashed with COMP1917 for me, and I can't do night classes so I'll have to substitute something this semester. Could you give me some recommendations? Arts/Design or Engineering/Science are fine. My current plan is:

COMP1917
ENGG1000
MATH1141
PSYC1000 (not sure)

Im a newbie but I dont think you can do computing, arts and psychology all at the same time

Im pretty sure you can do comp sci with psychology as a minor, but there would not be room left to do an arts major.

have you looked at this program? UNSW Handbook Program - Computer Science/Digital Media - 3982

perhaps that is what you are looking for?

Yeah, I put it as my 2nd choice (CompSci is 1st) It is nice but back then I was afraid to pick something that might limit job prospects. Do you think it is possible to do a computing degree with 2 minors? (arts and psychology) The minors might not be as much in depth as they should be, though.

Thank you for your replies!

 

[witide]

You should have put Computer Science / Arts in your preferences. Then you could have had a major and minor in arts. You can try for the final round though; I just un-enrolled from the course so there should be a vacancy.

Anyway, I think there is a graphics major in the final years of the degree, but it won't be as specialised as what you would get in a digital media degree. If I were you, I would go for Computer Science / Arts or Computer Science / Digital Media.

Personally, I got into Software Engineering / Arts at USyd, because I wanted to do languages in my arts degree but didn't have the options available at UNSW.

 

[Prosper]

since you want your dream career to be in the animation/games industry, I recommend sticking with computer programming courses (COMP1917, ENGG1000 etc). both animation and games require extensive amounts of programming. i'm in a similar situation to you (games/robotics) and I am doing computer/mathematical/engdesign subjects for first year in order to learn more programming for future years.

i chose:
COMP1917
MATH1131
MATH1081
ENGG1000
good luck _santa!

Thats what all the smart kids do in first semester

 

[ctrlaltv]

Thanks, ctrlaltv! Sticking with COMP courses is probably the best way, but I hope I could learn something about Design/Arts as well, I'm thinking about devoting 24uoc or so for Arts, what do you think? My first plan is similar to yours but MATH1081 clashed with COMP1917 for me, and I can't do night classes so I'll have to substitute something this semester. Could you give me some recommendations? Arts/Design or Engineering/Science are fine. My current plan is:

COMP1917
ENGG1000
MATH1141
PSYC1000 (not sure)

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by LordPc
Im a newbie but I dont think you can do computing, arts and psychology all at the same time

Im pretty sure you can do comp sci with psychology as a minor, but there would not be room left to do an arts major.

have you looked at this program? UNSW Handbook Program - Computer Science/Digital Media - 3982

perhaps that is what you are looking for?
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Yeah, I put it as my 2nd choice (CompSci is 1st) It is nice but back then I was afraid to pick something that might limit job prospects. Do you think it is possible to do a computing degree with 2 minors? (arts and psychology) The minors might not be as much in depth as they should be, though.

Thank you for your replies!

Your welcome.
For 1st year, if you want to do programming/design/arts
COMP1917 - will cover your programming
ENGG1000 - will cover your design
Drop PSYC1000, since your dream is in the animation/games industry, its useless for you. Instead, pick up an arts elective that you find most suitable for you. In 2nd year computer science, UNSW offers specialised animation courses for computing. Btw, I know your in my ENGG1000 class lol. There's only one timeslot available

 

[ctrlaltv]

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by ctrlaltv
since you want your dream career to be in the animation/games industry, I recommend sticking with computer programming courses (COMP1917, ENGG1000 etc). both animation and games require extensive amounts of programming. i'm in a similar situation to you (games/robotics) and I am doing computer/mathematical/engdesign subjects for first year in order to learn more programming for future years.

i chose:
COMP1917
MATH1131
MATH1081
ENGG1000
good luck _santa!
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Thats what all the smart kids do in first semester

Hahahha. What subjects are you doing, same as me?

 

[chucknthem]

You should consider combining computer science with a digital media degree.

 

[_santa]

Your welcome.
For 1st year, if you want to do programming/design/arts
COMP1917 - will cover your programming
ENGG1000 - will cover your design
Drop PSYC1000, since your dream is in the animation/games industry, its useless for you. Instead, pick up an arts elective that you find most suitable for you. In 2nd year computer science, UNSW offers specialised animation courses for computing. Btw, I know your in my ENGG1000 class lol. There's only one timeslot available

Thanks! You said your future career is Games/Robotics, right? But it seems that we can only choose 1 major so I'm curious how you will shape your program?
I read this program rule, it says a program must have 1 major (>=50% of the course), 1 minor and "breath electives" (general ed + up to 24 uoc), so I think I could major in Games Design-Construction, minor in Psy and do lots of Arts electives...I thought Psy would come in handy later when finding a job, you know, dealing with people and stuff, but I'm not sure about this. I'll look through the Arts subjects again, thanks!
See you in ENGG1000 then XD Are you going to do the COMP project?

 

[ctrlaltv]

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by ctrlaltv
Your welcome.
For 1st year, if you want to do programming/design/arts
COMP1917 - will cover your programming
ENGG1000 - will cover your design
Drop PSYC1000, since your dream is in the animation/games industry, its useless for you. Instead, pick up an arts elective that you find most suitable for you. In 2nd year computer science, UNSW offers specialised animation courses for computing. Btw, I know your in my ENGG1000 class lol. There's only one timeslot available
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Thanks! You said your future career is Games/Robotics, right? But it seems that we can only choose 1 major so I'm curious how you will shape your program?
I read this program rule, it says a program must have 1 major (>=50% of the course), 1 minor and "breath electives" (general ed + up to 24 uoc), so I think I could major in Games Design-Construction, minor in Psy and do lots of Arts electives...I thought Psy would come in handy later when finding a job, you know, dealing with people and stuff, but I'm not sure about this. I'll look through the Arts subjects again, thanks!
See you in ENGG1000 then XD Are you going to do the COMP project?

For a career Games/Robotics, I'm going to major in Robotics, and choose electives such as Artificial Intelligence, Math, and other computer related subjects. This is 2nd/3rd/4th year though, doesn't matter for 1st year. You don't need to worry about major/minor in first year, since first year is mostly core subjects which are compulsory, along with a few electives of your choice. You actually choose your major/minor later on. COMP project? What's that lolz

 

[_santa]

For a career Games/Robotics, I'm going to major in Robotics, and choose electives such as Artificial Intelligence, Math, and other computer related subjects. This is 2nd/3rd/4th year though, doesn't matter for 1st year. You don't need to worry about major/minor in first year, since first year is mostly core subjects which are compulsory, along with a few electives of your choice. You actually choose your major/minor later on. COMP project? What's that lolz

Oh, so we still can change later on, right? Are you going to do any Arts for the Games part of your career?
The web site says in ENGG1000, we pick projects from schools and work in teams to complete them. For example CSE has rescue robots and sumo robots projects last year, and there are bridge-building, car-making too...

i think psychology would be useful if you were actually interested in designing games rather than just writing engine code. i read an interview with gabe newell once where he suggested studying psychology if you wanted to make games

Yeah, I think so, too. How about animation? Studying psychology would make it better to work with artists and technical specialists, right?

 

[chucknthem]

you can actually major in game design and construction, just follow that plan.

Computer Science Plans and Minors

And if you look down the bottom, you'll see psychology as a minor.


For the first semester, you should take

comp1917
psyc1001
math1131 or math1141 depending on how comfortable you are with math
and probably engg1000

edit: doing computer science/digital media is probably a much more useful than than having psychology as a minor.
in which case follow this plan: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2009/3982.html
and choose your computing electives based on the games construction major above.

 

[_santa]

edit: doing computer science/digital media is probably a much more useful than than having psychology as a minor.
in which case follow this plan: UNSW Handbook Program - Computer Science/Digital Media - 3982
and choose your computing electives based on the games construction major above.

Thanks! I put CompSci/Digital Media as my 2nd preference though, now that I'm offered the first (CompSci), is it possible to change to CompSci/Digital Media?

 

[ctrlaltv]

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by chucknthem
edit: doing computer science/digital media is probably a much more useful than than having psychology as a minor.
in which case follow this plan: UNSW Handbook Program - Computer Science/Digital Media - 3982
and choose your computing electives based on the games construction major above.
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
Thanks! I put CompSci/Digital Media as my 2nd preference though, now that I'm offered the first (CompSci), is it possible to change to CompSci/Digital Media?

You can if you put CompSci/Digital Media as 1st pref for final round. If that doesn't work, you can always try talking to the Dean of Engineering to see what other options there are.

 

[_santa]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I've been thinking a lot about this, I've made some decisions but still unsure about it, so I'd be glad to hear your opinions on my choices:
Option 1: major in Computing (Games Design-Construction), minor in Psychology, some electives in Media Arts
continue further studies in Digital Media in another college after finding a job to support myself...
Yr 1:
COMP1917 Higher Computing
MATH1141 Higher Maths 1A
ENGG1000 Introduction to Engineering Design
PSYC1001 Psychology 1A
---
COMP1927 Higher Data Structures
MATH1241 Higher Maths 1B
MATH1081 Discrete Maths
PSYC1011 Psychology 1B

Yr2:
COMP2911 Engineering Design 2
COMP2121 Microprocessors
COMP2920 Professional Issues
PSYC2001 Research Methods 2
GEND0214 Creative Thinking Processes
---
COMP2041 Software Construction
COMP3421 Computer Graphics
PSYC2601 Social-Developmental Psychology
SOMA2609 3D Modelling-Animation 1

Yr3:
COMP3141 Software Design-Implementation
COMP3121 Algorithms-Programming
PSYC3121 Social Psychology
SOMA3609 3D Modelling-Animation 2
---
COMP3331 Computer Networks and Applications
COMP3511 Human-Computer Interaction
COMP4431 Computer Game Programming Workshop
PSYC3141 Behaviours in Organizations

Option 2: Ask for special permission to minor in Media Arts (I don't know if it's even possible) - dropping all Psychology courses, replace by Media Arts
I am not so sure about this option.

Option 3: Transfer into Computer Science/Digital Media combined degree
I will be able to study the necessary courses for CompSci and DM, but there is little flexibility, and I don't know if I can afford 4 years in uni (financial issues are critical to me)

Any suggestions for alternative paths are really appreciated! Thank you so much for your help.

 

[_santa]

you should do COMP3821 instead of COMP3121

i didn't like COMP3331 or COMP3511, i don't consider them serious courses. there is roughly 2 days worth of content in COMP3331, less in COMP3511. you could teach it to yourself easily

if you are interested in Serious Programming TM then you should consider taking Operating Systems.

if you are interested in Graphics, you should take some more maths courses, eg. Higher Linear Algebra

Thanks! Do you recommend any other maths or physics courses that are useful? The courses I listed are compulsory for a major in Computer Games Design...so if I don't choose them, I'll have to change my major. Do you think Human-Computer Interaction and AI are good?

 

[_santa]

Isn't 3331 a pre-req for Crypto?

I'm not interested in crypto so idk but 3331 is required for the Games Design specialisation

 

[chucknthem]

Isn't 3331 a pre-req for Crypto?

or a 75 wam, or a signature from richardb which isn't hard to get if you manage to find him.

The amount of 3331 content that you have to know for crypto can be learned in a few days. I would put comp2041(software construction) or better understanding of a scripting language as a prereq than networks.


I'm doing networks now after having done crypto last year

 

[darkwolfzx]

weill % finger richardb
"richardb" is a valid user name:
Username Real Name Position Last Login
richardb Richard Buckland Senior Lecturer
Plan:
Move the thing, and then - the other thing.


Mail to this address should work
weill %