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Computer Science: A focus?

PostPosted:Sat Jul 14, 2012 6:38 pm
by Akimoto
Greetings everyone.

Do we have users with any degrees in Computer Science?

I intend to get a Ph.D. after getting my M.S. degree in Computer Science. There are so many interesting topics/subjects to research into, problems to solve and answers to find.

I have added a small list that includes topics of interest~
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Collaborative networks
  • Compilers
  • Computer architecture
  • Computer graphics
  • Computer vision
  • Concurrent, parallel, and distributed computing
  • Databases
  • History of computation
  • Information retrieval
  • Networks and security
  • Operating systems
  • Programming languages
  • Scientific computing
  • Software engineering
  • Theoretical computer science



Anyone got any subjects I could add to the list of interests? (Related to Computer Science)


Thank you.

PostPosted:Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:54 pm
by jawfin
We do have a member with a Masters, so they may post. Necros and Phoenix are striving for their Bachelors (or so I believe). I myself a attained to the degree of bachelor of applied science computer programming. That though was 1990 - 1994, back then universities only had 1 computer science degree to offer. The department of Information Technology didn't even exist, which is why my degree is in science, not IT par se.

I chose electives (as App. Sc. doesn't have "majors" - computer science was the major as it were) of Graphicial Design, Artificial Intelligence, Encryption and Cryptography. As there was only one computing degree it covered everything to do with computers, all in that list you mentioned, focusing on languages (I learnt about 15 or so), also Object Oriented, no UI stuff as I pre-date Windows, and low level assembler programming - interfacing with the CPU and I/O ports.

First I'd wonder why you'd go for a PhD unless you wanted to become a lecturer/professor - not saying that PhD don't do other things, like computer scientists and neural networks etc., but as you wouldn't know what they are its like saying I want to drive a car so I'll get a truck license to be sure.

You choose fields in which you want to work, as you probably won't have to decide until your third year - wait until you're sure. It's like asking a grade 1 kid what he wants to become - and they actually don't all become firemen! But for now focus on the things that interest you - look at your own list and sort them in order of what you think you'd like to do.

Finally, the AI, OO & graphics have put me in good stead for developing my Android games - a concept obviously unheard of when I attained my degree.

PostPosted:Sun Jul 15, 2012 1:41 am
by Zabuza
Anyone got any subjects I could add to the list of interests? (Related to Computer Science)
I'm also working on my BA in CS with a concentration in Computational Math. Some topics that seemed interesting to me/looked helpful in the long run were:

Informatics/Data Mining (probably falls under Computer architecture)

I probably don't have much authority in any of this but my personal preference would be taking some extra maths like mathematical modeling and numerical methods etc.

PostPosted:Sun Jul 15, 2012 2:38 am
by Akimoto
Thanks alot for your opinions and contributions on this subject :)

I would love to become a teacher/professor some day, which is why I am planning ahead and attempting to learn about the different subjects that interest me.

That is why I will be at least getting a M.S. degree in CS. If I'll actually go for a Ph.D. afterwards - I don't know yet. However, It never hurts to be prepared.

Another reason for bringing this subject up is that I wish to spend my time making the world better somewhat. What can we expect in the future? Robotics? Cybernetics? They all interest me. :)