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Computer Science ...

Started by no one Jan 20, 2004 at 4:49 AM 13 replies 1k views

Original Post

Jan 20, 2004 at 4:49 AM

Hello Everyone! I have been really thinking about the subject of school for the past few weeks and like a lot of you, my dream is to get a job in the game dev industry someday, but what do they look for in a potential employee? This question has been answered a few times, in various articles, but the question of what to take in school has never really been addressed. I have read before that most game dev studios are rather skeptical about game design degrees because most of those schools try to cram 4 years plus of information into your brain within 18 months. Anyway, computer science would seem to be the logical choice, but with so many people going that rout, you would have to do something spectacular to get noticed at all. Ive read that most employers want to see someone that has a lot of enthusiasm,excitment and a love for making/playing games. Well, that ones covered

and a portfolio of your work is a plus they say. So, does that mean that with a computer science degree and a cd with games ive made + the good, enthusiastic attitude, Ill have a shoe in?!! They say that the video games industry is at its infency, but with the growing complexity of games, the jaw dropping lighting and other visual effects, the plain creepely realistic physics and AI, will they even need programmers pretty soon! Ok, well I hope this thread gets some conversation going

Im looking forwards to reading what you guys think. ~Jason

Nervo

101

Nervo

Jan 20, 2004 at 5:41 AM

Computer Science is a logical route for many as well as myself, but I''ve come to the crossroad of questioning my decision. I''m knocking at the door of my junior year of college (upper division) and this is where it is crucial that I commit. I do intend to pursue my career as a software engineer, but I do believe that actually having a degree with the title of "Computer Science" may not be crucial to entry into this field. I''ve been strongly looking into the B.S of Mathematical Sciences and it offers the best of both worlds; more mathematics classes mixed with CS classes. I''ve also heard that many programmers/software engineers have started their careers with even a degree in pure mathematics, meaning no formal classes in CS. I have yet to meet one personally, but if there are some reading this thread perhaps they can post here about their experience. I think it would be good to show you (and me) the flexibility of this field when you personally hear of others that come from other fields into this one. Based on what I''ve heard, it''s frequently from fields like Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and of course CS.

Master Mofo

Jan 20, 2004 at 6:42 AM

Having a degree in CS is not that bad. after all you should have a degree in something. You wont be wasting time because you can always build up your exp. like working part time or freelance...

I have graduated back in 2002 and now I''m working as a developer. True I still haven''t worked in the Gamedev industry yet, but until I do I''m getting more and more experince everyday. I''m working on side game projects so one day I may be able to join. My point is that in order to get a job as a professional programmer in any company you need a Degree in CS or anything related like Mathmatics and electrical engineering.

Maybe you would have a better luck than me because I''m living in a country where no Game development companies are present. But you''re living in the US, you may have a better chance.

Get your Degree, burn your CD and good hunting.

no one

Author

no one

Jan 20, 2004 at 7:53 AM

"Get your degree, burn your cd" -lol. Thanks.
Alrighty, so a strong math background and a cs degree is really what I should get focused on then. Im not posative about what you learn in cs, I thought that cs covered the math.

Anyway, I have a ton of things I would like to learn at college.
My biggest hold up though is that math intimidates me a bit. I can't understand how some of you guys can remember the formulas
like for quaternions, or collision operations etc. I have to always refrence to old code or to the internet. For the most part, I understand most of what I read, but like converting a raw equation to code... I do not fear math, I just don't see how some of you guys act as though you solve quantum physics equations during your morning cup of coffe

Thanks a lot for your comments guys.
~Jason

[edited by - no one on January 20, 2004 8:55:45 AM]

Imperil

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:03 AM

I would trade my Computer Science degree and $50k for a Software Engineering degree =]

A PH D in Computer Science is lower in comparison to a 4 year program in Software Engineering =]

necromancer_df

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:16 AM

quote:
Original post by Imperil
I would trade my Computer Science degree and $50k for a Software Engineering degree =]

A PH D in Computer Science is lower in comparison to a 4 year program in Software Engineering =]

yeah, i was under the impression that employers liked software engineering a lot more than computer science.

quant

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:17 AM

quote:
Original post by no one

Anyway, I have a ton of things I would like to learn at college.
My biggest hold up though is that math intimidates me a bit. I can''t understand how some of you guys can remember the formulas
like for quaternions, or collision operations etc. I have to always refrence to old code or to the internet.

It helps a lot if you understand what it is you are remembering, if you only remember small parts of the theory, but you understand it, you can often deduce the rest of the theory in seconds. For example, do you remember what 16+5 is? or do you deduce it because you understand how addition works.

[its 21 by the way

]

Leathrewulfe

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:32 AM

Computer Science vs. Software Engineer degrees are a matter of your career goals. Computer Science is theory. People make the mistake that a CS is a programming degree, that is not true. Sure you learn programming, but that isn''t its concentration. Software Engineering degrees on the otherhand are relatively new. They are more a project management route. You learn managing a project throughout the Software Development Life Cycle. So, it comes down to what you want to be doing 10 years from now. Management or research/more coding than projections. I would say CS makes a stronger foundation for eventual game development if you are looking at being a programmer; however, if you are looking towards becoming game designer then maybe SE would be a better choice.

I disagree that SE > CS. They are different. I would rather learn about AI and algorithms instead of the best way to write a requirements document

But I am bias, since I have a CS degree...although my job title is Software Engineer.

Your best best...look at the curriculum and choose based on what classes interest you. Also, interning at a game dev house while going to school will help immensively.

That is just my opinion.

"Wisdom is proportionate to your reference base. Intelligence is the ability to appropriately use that Wisdom."

TerranFury

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:52 AM

Personally, I find math/cs a heck of a lot more interesting than plain ol'' software engineering. Also, I question the wisdom of getting a Software Engineering degree. That''s because when I think "Software Engineering," visions of Initech and jobs flocking to India dance horribly in my head.

Leathrewulfe

Jan 20, 2004 at 10:55 AM

Software Engineer == TPS reports

"Wisdom is proportionate to your reference base. Intelligence is the ability to appropriately use that Wisdom."

Dovyman

Jan 20, 2004 at 11:45 AM

What about masters degrees? I''m a junior in an accelerated HS for math and science, and most people around here aren''t just thinking about their bachelors, but also where, and what to study for a masters.

Master Mofo

Jan 20, 2004 at 1:30 PM

quote:
Original post by no one
" I can''t understand how some of you guys can remember the formulas
like for quaternions, or collision operations etc. I have to always refrence to old code or to the internet. For the most part, I understand most of what I read, but like converting a raw equation to code... I do not fear math, I just don''t see how some of you guys act as though you solve quantum physics equations during your morning cup of coffe

Thanks a lot for your comments guys.
~Jason

[edited by - no one on January 20, 2004 8:55:45 AM]

Well, I''m like you, I don''t memorize equations. When I need something like that I can use books, the internet... But when you''ve been using the same equations time after time during your development you would be memorizing them automatically. Anyway, your boss won''t take the resources from you during work

As for the SE Vs. CS thing, I can say that when you''re working in a professional environment you will learn alot more than what you will learn in college. Believe me, wether you hold a degree in CS or SE, you will start your career working as a programmer. They wont assign you as a Project manager in the first few years.

emileej

Jan 21, 2004 at 2:15 AM

quote:
Original post by Imperil
I would trade my Computer Science degree and $50k for a Software Engineering degree =]

A PH D in Computer Science is lower in comparison to a 4 year program in Software Engineering =]

What a sad place you live. Remind me not to go there.

"Stop trying to hit me and hit me!"

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