bachelor of arts BA in Computer Science

[whitebread]

Wilfrid Laurier University offers both a BA and a BSc in Computer Science. I'm considering taking one of the programs. What I'm wondering is... How useful would a BA in Computer Science be? Wouldn't most employers want a BSc?

[threetonesun]

Is there a difference in the programs? Most employers will want to know what you have experience with, not what classes you took.

[Astra.Xtreme]

Wouldn't a Bachelor of Arts be a bit contradicting Computer Science?

[PurpleHaze420]

I dont personally get what the difference is apart from it be accredited by a different faculty at the university. :huh:

BA or BSC, its shoulden't matter to an employer, more importantly would be what modules are contained on them and also what grade of degree you pass out with.

[whitebread]

Is there a difference in the programs? Most employers will want to know what you have experience with, not what classes you took.

The BA program says "This program must be combined with another Honours BA program"... So I take that to mean it is a double major (another BA program), whereas the BSc has a single major.

[PurpleHaze420]

On the above comment, i'd say take the singular BSc if your looking to work in IT as a profession.

Unless you were looking to combine it and work within a specialist area, such as combing with Law, etc.

[whitebread]

On the above comment, i'd say take the singular BSc if your looking to work in IT as a profession.

I want to do programming as a profession.

[threetonesun]

Then I suppose it depends on the program. My guess is the BA adds to any other BA program. I was an English major who studied programming. It helps with any BA, as we all use computers all the time.

A BSc I would expect to be more math + theory.

[neufuse Veteran]

If you want to do programming get a BS in computer sciences and take a languages track

[whitebread]

If you want to do programming get a BS in computer sciences and take a languages track

By languages, you mean programming lanugauges, right? :blush:

[threetonesun]

I assume he means languages instead of theory. There are some CS programs out there where you can learn math the entire time, not actually build a damn thing and get a degree.

[whitebread]

I assume he means languages instead of theory. There are some CS programs out there where you can learn math the entire time, not actually build a damn thing and get a degree.

That sounds very boring.

[MFH]

That sounds very boring.

It is :).

If you want to make a living as a software developer I'd suggest the BSc, from experience the BA definately is less technical (read also less programming) [That's all based on the assumption that these things work in the US as the do in the EU though...]

EDIT: A BA may be interessting additionally to a BSc, but that depends on the type of BA and on your ideas for a future job...

[threetonesun]

If I were to do it again, I'd probably just get a BA in music with a minor in CS. It would be fun and you'd get enough out of it to get a job.

[Denis W. Veteran]

That sounds very boring.

Yup, and being forced to go through it isn't fun :/ but I suppose in programming you need some working knowledge of core concepts they teach (how to write proofs, proving using induction, automata, algorithms, etc.). Can't picture myself diving my head into computational theory.

Speaking of math, some of those guys take our CS courses as their GPAs are high enough to let them in without being in a CS program. And one of those guys that came in was kinda snarky... *shakes fist* :p

On topic, as previously mentioned focus more on what courses you're taking, than the name of your concentration/specialist/major/etc.

(On a sidenote... why WLU and not UW? :p)

[Tuishimi]

Wouldn't a Bachelor of Arts be a bit contradicting Computer Science?

Oh I don't know... I liken some of my code to art. :)

[Original Poster]

Wilfrid Laurier University offers both a BA and a BSc in Computer Science. I'm considering taking one of the programs. What I'm wondering is... How useful would a BA in Computer Science be? Wouldn't most employers want a BSc?

I am on a BSc at the moment going onto a BA would be easy stuff.. BSc goes into a lot of mathematical detail although that sounds nasty... I actually love my course :) get to basically do nothing but script and be smart

I dont personally get what the difference is apart from it be accredited by a different faculty at the university. :huh:

BA or BSC, its shoulden't matter to an employer, more importantly would be what modules are contained on them and also what grade of degree you pass out with.

it really does matter BSc is more maths based the lower one is for people who want to cope out of maths ... in all honesty people would pick BSc over a BA anyday lol especially in programming,networking or 3D graphics (not much if you want to be an professional photoshopper )

[shadodemon]

I have an Associates of Science Degree on Computer Repair & Technology I am happy about that :)

[MtnDewCodeRedFreak]

I have a BSc in Info Tech.

[neufuse Veteran]

By languages, you mean programming lanugauges, right? :blush:

Yes, the program I went throught was emphasis on learning many programming languages, and mastering them, second emphasis was on math, on the low end was theory and history of CS.. we had 4 different tracks we could go, Applied (hardware coding, firmwares, etc) , Languages (learning prorgamming basically anything from machine code to intermediate languages etc), security (network security programming, theory, criminology of it, and design of cryptography systems), and there was another one I cant remember which track it was, but it was more math then anything (binary math, linear algebra, etc, how to design ALU's etc)

I actually did three tracks (talk about killing yourself in 4 years)... Languages, Applied and security all in one undergrad career.. Got accepted to Carnegie Mellon for masters in comp sci / engineering, but it was just way to expensive at the time... so never went that route in the end after undergrad...