4 ms·

> This seems highly focused on systems; I wouldn't call it representative of "Computer Science" as a whole. I'd agree with this, but it fits with how a certain

> This seems highly focused on systems; I wouldn't call it representative of "Computer Science" as a whole. I'd agree with this, but it fits with how a certain set of schools teaches their core. They will teach a set of related classes around the topics here: computer architecture, operating systems, and networking, because this is often central to their research interests. Others will scatter this information across a number of unrelated courses to check the box, or skip it entirely because their research doesn't touch as heavily on these topics. Further research on the author suggests they are from New Zealand. I'm from the UK and live in the US. What I see taught in US CS degrees is somewhat different from what I saw in the UK, and heard about from friends in continental Europe. I imagine the author's experience is similar. A further bias from the author, and I'm making big assumptions, is that see value here because they've worked in places that do lot of system programming. Mentions of VMware and Red Hat on https://www.wienand.org https://www.wienand.org.

nicklecompte 5y ago
I was a math major (in the US) so I don’t recall exactly, but I think my university offered both BA and BS degrees in computer science, where the BA focused more algorithms and complexity (overlap with math majors) while the BS focused on operating systems and hardware (overlap with electrical engineering majors). For postgraduates there is an academic MS in computer science versus a more practical MEng in software/computer engineering. I think this is a good system - and also indicates that we are speaking somewhat past each other on what a “computer science” education looks like.
- zerkten 5y ago
  I think it's good to offer more options, but the focus on BA/BS in the US is weird. In the UK, it was common circa-2000 for: 1. BSc, BEng, MSc monikers to be meaningless across universities, but to be used consistently at the establishment. 2. Multiple degree paths to be available that went from something advertised as computer science to computer engineering. 3. A straightforward path directly into master's level computer science education. You couldn't make an assessment based on BS vs BA because the curriculum may be similar in both cases. Oxford used BA whereas Durham used BS with both producing solid graduates that can't be differentiated in most work (further research or industry.) My experience in the US is that hiring has kind of perverted the nature of discussions like these. The focus is on a few select algorithms and maths courses whereas the folks who've done the systems work are arguably better prepared for many real world tech roles. The last half of your degree has to be more interesting and reflective of the individual, right?
  - nicklecompte 5y ago
    So my experience in the US for employment is that nobody notices or cares if you have a BA or BS, except possibly in unusual cases (my school actually offered a “Bachelor of Science in Theater”). So I don’t think there’s much of a “focus” in the US. There’s a loose set of conventions which aren’t nearly as important as the actual major, and are mostly reflective of internal structures and programs at the university. MA versus MS is different (I think similar to the difference between a M.Phil versus an M.Sc). But I’ve never seen anyone dwell much on BA/BS.

nicklecompte 5y ago

I was a math major (in the US) so I don’t recall exactly, but I think my university offered both BA and BS degrees in computer science, where the BA focused more algorithms and complexity (overlap with math majors) while the BS focused on operating systems and hardware (overlap with electrical engineering majors). For postgraduates there is an academic MS in computer science versus a more practical MEng in software/computer engineering. I think this is a good system - and also indicates that we are speaking somewhat past each other on what a “computer science” education looks like.

zerkten 5y ago
I think it's good to offer more options, but the focus on BA/BS in the US is weird. In the UK, it was common circa-2000 for: 1. BSc, BEng, MSc monikers to be meaningless across universities, but to be used consistently at the establishment. 2. Multiple degree paths to be available that went from something advertised as computer science to computer engineering. 3. A straightforward path directly into master's level computer science education. You couldn't make an assessment based on BS vs BA because the curriculum may be similar in both cases. Oxford used BA whereas Durham used BS with both producing solid graduates that can't be differentiated in most work (further research or industry.) My experience in the US is that hiring has kind of perverted the nature of discussions like these. The focus is on a few select algorithms and maths courses whereas the folks who've done the systems work are arguably better prepared for many real world tech roles. The last half of your degree has to be more interesting and reflective of the individual, right?
- nicklecompte 5y ago
  So my experience in the US for employment is that nobody notices or cares if you have a BA or BS, except possibly in unusual cases (my school actually offered a “Bachelor of Science in Theater”). So I don’t think there’s much of a “focus” in the US. There’s a loose set of conventions which aren’t nearly as important as the actual major, and are mostly reflective of internal structures and programs at the university. MA versus MS is different (I think similar to the difference between a M.Phil versus an M.Sc). But I’ve never seen anyone dwell much on BA/BS.