I''m relatively new to programming and after learning some more c++, I want to get started in game programming. I was just wondering if a Computer Science degree is helpful towards programming/game programming? Is it worth the time and effort? And if any of you have done the course, could you tell me some of the topics involved? Any help would be great! julienX

undergraduate compsci major at my college

Yes it is. Depends very much on the course, but you cover a lot of programming, some theory of computation, formal methods, algorithm analysis, various kinds of maths, OOP, databases, networking, data structures, digital electronics, all kinds of things. A lot of useful stuff you might not pick up on your own.

Also lends at least some credibility on a CV - shows you can get something done.

Look on Monster.com or something simliar for instances of programming jobs that do not require 3+ years of experience (It won''t take long). Now of the few remaining jobs search for ones which don''t require a BS in CS.