Computer science publications?

[Tampitump]

I am a computer science major. Actually, I just recently decided to pursue this field. The subject matter has grown so much on me that I'm very drawn to it, but I'm still a newb to computers and the field of computation and I haven't even got into the computer science part of the program. I will be attending my state's flagship school after graduating from my current community college. I definitely plan to go to graduate school and am looking to immerse myself into the study.

 

My question is what are some good publications (magazines, etc.) on computer science? I want to read frequently on the topic and learn about the research being done in the field.

 

I'm also interested in perhaps transitioning into something like cognitive science, psychology, or computational neuroscience as a possible Phd and I have some questions there. 1) Would computer science be a relevant degree for Phds in any of these fields? I'm very interested in AI, am also into philosophy of mind and many things involving the brain/nervous system.

 

Also, I have a past of poor grades from my first college attempt a few years back. Will this damn my chances of getting into top graduate schools like Vanderbilt, Duke, or other top universities? My first choice is Vanderbilt. What do I need to do to get into schools like this? What do I need to be doing now to make myself an easy choice for top grad programs? Am I already past the point in which I can't redeem myself enough to get accepted? I just started back to school this fall after a 4-year hiatus and terrible grades from that forst experience. My GPA for the first semester back was 3.6.

 

Thanks for any helpful answers!

Edited June 24, 2016 by Tampitump

[ajb]

http://arxiv.org/corr/home

 

Maybe the above will be of interest... it the Computing Research Repository (now part of the arXiv). It may give you some idea about research, but I would not like to comment on how easy the typical preprints are to read.