Current Events > I literally have no idea where to begin with Computer Science classes in college

(+) Yeah! (+)

So far I've only taken Introduction to Computers and Their Uses.

All we learned was how to use Windows 10 and essential Microsoft programs, such as Powerpoint, Excel, and Word. I have no experience coding/ programming, yada yada. As a beginner, am I able to hop right into a class such as C, C++ or Java? Or should there be other classes at my school the would preface those particular courses?
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most introductory programming courses assume you have never programmed before
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That's not a computer science class lol.

Most big schools should have classes designed for non majors, so that could be up your alley. Look for an intro to programming class to get you to learn the basics.
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16-BITTER posted...

Your high school should have had an intro to programming course. Even mine did, and we were notoriously short on electives (i.e. no metal/wood shop, barely any languages, etc.)

I don't know how this is supposed to help. I'm 6 years removed from high school.
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Butterfiles posted...

most introductory programming courses assume you have never programmed before

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Going from that class to C/C++ or Java is a pretty big jump. C++ was my first CS class in college, but I already had two years of Java experience before then and I learned most of the syntax the first weekend after school started. My first year of Java was pretty rough (the teacher didn't help with it either)

If your school goes the same route, to make the jump less severe I would recommend messing around with python first

https://www.hackerrank.com/domains/python
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I learned better with online courses than with college. The teachers were horrible at explaining at my school aside from one. Some udemy courses were pretty complete for me. You can learn many programming languages. I suggest making some research about the languages the company you want to work in use and try learning more of it.
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TomNook20 posted...

That's not a computer science class lol.

Most big schools should have classes designed for non majors, so that could be up your alley. Look for an intro to programming class to get you to learn the basics.

The official title of the course is CO SCI 501. It is a computer science class.

My school offers a course called Intro to Programming Using Visual Basic. I would assume that's pretty close, if not exactly what you suggested.
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clyde_frog posted...

The official title of the course is CO SCI 501. It is a computer science class.

My school offers a course called Intro to Programming Using Visual Basic. I would assume that's pretty close, if not exactly what you suggested.

That sounds like what you need. Take that, and check with a counselor if there is a group of courses for non majors as that will set you up with some basic programming skills. If you seriously want to get a job as a software dev, I would recommend majoring in CS though. Much easier to get your foot in the door for interviews if you have that degree.
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MacadamianNut3 posted...

Going from that class to C/C++ or Java is a pretty big jump. C++ was my first CS class in college, but I already had two years of Java experience before then and I learned most of the syntax the first weekend after school started. My first year of Java was pretty rough (the teacher didn't help with it either)

If your school goes the same route, to make the jump less severe I would recommend messing around with python first

https://www.hackerrank.com/domains/python

Jesus christ, I don't have a clue what I'm doing with these warm-ups. I feel like such a newb.
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Look at the computer science degree plan at your school
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CS in college is a joke your first two years and a gigantic waste of time and money. I have no idea what comes after that because I got screwed out of transferring due to some of those credits I was forced to take being outed for the useless shit that they are.

College is a scam. Fuck it. You can learn far more at home and on the job. OOD languages are cake, as is SQL, JavaScript, and JQuery. Study up on platforms and bing badda boom. Fun thing is that Microsoft keeps making this easier for you by idiot-proofing the process.
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TomNook20 posted...

clyde_frog posted...

The official title of the course is CO SCI 501. It is a computer science class.

My school offers a course called Intro to Programming Using Visual Basic. I would assume that's pretty close, if not exactly what you suggested.

That sounds like what you need. Take that, and check with a counselor if there is a group of courses for non majors as that will set you up with some basic programming skills. If you seriously want to get a job as a software dev, I would recommend majoring in CS though. Much easier to get your foot in the door for interviews if you have that degree.

I'm a business major but I figured it would be beneficial to learn programming.

There's a UC in California that offers a degree in Computer Science with Business Applications, and and another that offers a BS in Business Information Systems.

I'm CC student btw if that helps. I'm looking to apply to a University in Fall.
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There are other classes, there are also procedures, functions etc.

Seriously, OP. We learned this stuff in high school. How the fuck does a college teach you how to use Windows 10 apps? Is it a college for senior citizen?
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faizan_faizan posted...

There are other classes, there are also procedures, functions etc.

Seriously, OP. We learned this stuff in high school. How the fuck does a college teach you how to use Windows 10 apps? Is it a college for senior citizen?

My community college requires us to take COSCI 501 if you're a Business Major transferring to a UC or Cal State. I don't know what else you want me to say.
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faizan_faizan posted...

There are other classes, there are also procedures, functions etc.

Seriously, OP. We learned this stuff in high school. How the fuck does a college teach you how to use Windows 10 apps? Is it a college for senior citizen?

I was forced to do that course where I live as well. Ridiculous
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epik_fail1 posted...

faizan_faizan posted...

There are other classes, there are also procedures, functions etc.

Seriously, OP. We learned this stuff in high school. How the fuck does a college teach you how to use Windows 10 apps? Is it a college for senior citizen?

I was forced to do that course where I live as well. Ridiculous

The worst part about it was that it was possibly the easiest A I've earned in college, and yet a good portion of the class couldn't keep up. I even had a guy offer me $40 to copy my Excel formulas for a project.
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TC you've got powerpoint, excel and word under your belt. Sounds like you've got a well-rounded education in computer science. Might as well just go apply to google right now.
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Did you get good grades in those courses?
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TC, two simple questions. What have you been doing in the six years since high school, and do you think you're going to be able to take on the advanced mathematics that a computer science degree requires?
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You should talk to an academic advisor. There should be plenty of CS courses.
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REMercsChamp posted...

TC you've got powerpoint, excel and word under your belt. Sounds like you've got a well-rounded education in computer science. Might as well just go apply to google right now.

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to be an asshole on CE?
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clyde_frog posted...

Was one of your New Year's resolutions to be an asshole on CE?

His lame ass trolling when it comes to anything related to college is his lame ass gimmick
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r4X0r posted...

TC, two simple questions. What have you been doing in the six years since high school, and do you think you're going to be able to take on the advanced mathematics that a computer science degree requires?

It's been rough. After I graduated, I got into a University in Tennessee. I ended up coming back home one semester in after realizing the debt wasn't going to be worth it. I've been going to community college sporadically and deciding what I wanted to do until I started taking the process seriously starting about a year ago. I took 2 summer courses (Business Law and Econ I) and I'm taking another class this Winter so it's not like I get to enjoy a nice break between semesters. I just want to speed this up and move on to a 4 year. I'm at about 60 units right now.

As for your second question, I'm a business major. I don't need to any programming classes. I understand that have those kinds of skills are attractive to employers so I want to be able to learn while I have a BOG waiver paying for all of my tuition.
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Yeah just take your intro to programming course, and check with the cs departments in the colleges you want to transfer to if they have courses geared towards non majors.
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ManBeast462 posted...

Did you get good grades in those courses?

Which ones?
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