Computer Science

[xiVFINISHERVix]

Hello I'm Nathon aka (xiVFINISHERVix)

 

I'm going to be starting College this Spring. I want to get a head start before I start Computer Science in 2 years.

I wanna know everything I will be learning in Computer Science or what I should learn before taking the classes.

I wanna beable to walk into class and pass it with no problem.

Can someone please tell me what I would be taken and what I need to lean before going into Computer Science.

 

Thanks xiVFINISHERVix

Edited September 10, 2011 by xiVFINISHERVix

[Schrödinger's hat]

The main thing I see comp-sci students struggle with is the unexpected maths when they start doing algorithms.

Pay attention in math class, especially when you do limits/calculus and discrete (logic and set theory and all that).

Then again this could be because I tutor maths and not programming -- they probably go to someone else when they are struggling with that.

 

Something like this can be good for practising some of the skills you'll need (and it's pretty fun if you're a nerd like me), especially if you do it in a lower level language (C, assembly) or even some strange esoteric one (but maybe not Befunge).

 

The more you think in a logically structured way (whether it be maths, programming some games or solving puzzles), the easier it will be.

If you crack open a programming book (or the internet) and start programming something -- or program mario in your graphics calculator when you're bored in class -- you'll learn a lot, especially if you do a bit of wheel re-inventing along the way (such as choosing and implementing your own sorting algorithms rather than using some language's built in sort function).

[TonyMcC]

You will find that the course syllabus will be very wide ranging. To get an idea of what you can expect to study you can use my link. I attach a copy of the relevant part from the link. http://kudos.voidstar.org.uk/admissions/index.php

Edited September 10, 2011 by TonyMcC

[Schrödinger's hat]

Oh yeah:

Here's a list of MIT's EE and Comp-Sci courses with further links to (most of) their course material.

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/

You'll probably find the maths a bit daunting at some stage, so browse ocw further for maths courses (not always the most accessable) or try khan academy

http://www.khanacademy.org/

[Shelley Watson]

I think you should go for an online course in computers. This will give you a clear picture about computers and ample time to practice also. I came across a site which mentioned about the online degree programs in computer technician. These colleges are helping the students with study materials, online lectures and timely support from the college as well. Being a computer technician, you'll get a wide range of career options also. http://www.computert...ter-technicians Just doing a computer science course would not help you, as nowadays employers are looking for specifically trained graduates.Computer technician course would give you a complete picture of hardware and networking also.

Edited September 21, 2011 by Shelley Watson

[Greg Boyles]

Hello I'm Nathon aka (xiVFINISHERVix)

 

I'm going to be starting College this Spring. I want to get a head start before I start Computer Science in 2 years.

I wanna know everything I will be learning in Computer Science or what I should learn before taking the classes.

I wanna beable to walk into class and pass it with no problem.

Can someone please tell me what I would be taken and what I need to lean before going into Computer Science.

 

Thanks xiVFINISHERVix

 

I did a graduate diploma in computer science and the I required nothing more than basic maths skills to learn the basics, although I did have a certain amount of natural appititude for logical sequential thinking. I programmed a very simple number guessing game in BASIC in form 4 in the 1980s and found it quite intuitive.

 

Although what business area your end up in will determine the level of mathematics you will require, or more likely, the level of your mathematics education will determine what business programming areas you end up in.

 

For example specialised programming areas, like insurance and games graphics will require a higher level of mathematics than the majority of run of the mill programming jobs where you design user interfaces etc.

 

If I were in your situation I would get myself a "C++ for dummies" and "windows programming for dummies" type of books and start learning how to program. Also try and get yourself a copy of Microsoft Developer Studio, which comes with C++ and visual basic, and start learning how to use the development environment and the compiler.

 

This software includes tutorials with sample projects already setup so you can quickly learn how to get a project up and running from scratch.

 

When I was doing my course I got hold of a free copy of the UNIX gcc/make command line equivalent compiler that ran under windows. That also had a windows programming add on with a visual editor along the same lines of Microsoft Developer Studio. However Microsoft Developer Studio is still probably the environment that most IT businesses still use.

 

Learn how to write a basic C++ program, using libraries etc.

The learn how to use classes and objects under C++.

Then once you get the hang of that start learning how to write a basic windows C++ program using the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC)

 

The bigger the head start you get the easies you will find your course.