Hey all,

I've taken math through real analysis but haven't taken any CS. The intro programming/Java course at Columbia isn't offered in the second semester of the summer. One of the prof's seems to think the below course would be a good fit for me. Am I out in left field or is taking this class suicidal?

http://ce.columbia.edu/Summer-Sessions/Computer-Science

(Called "Computer Science Theory")

Thanks for the advice guys,
Mariogs

I assume somebody at Columbia will be better able to help you. It doesn't seem like its a programming course though - much more theoretical. In which case it doesn't seem suicidal at all.

Still, what the hell do we know?

The equivalent course in my CS degree was pretty easy, so I am sure you can handle it. But I don't think it is the best idea to take it first because it is not a programming course, and frankly the topics it covers are pretty boring.

*gasp* Actual CS? Not software engineering placed senselessly under the CS banner?

I had the opposite experience. Theory of CS was a top-5 difficult course for my CS degree (although I did well). I'd consider it the most important class I took, and didn't think it was boring.

It's interesting that it's the most important class you took. Do you use your knowledge of pushdown automata, DFAs, and the Chomsky grammar hierarchy on a regular basis?

No. Just taught me how to approach problems well. Maybe it wasn't the most important, but it was up there.

If you consider yourself strong at math, especially pure math, it should be pretty easy for you. And if you like pure math, you'll probably like this class... I can't imagine it being tougher than your real analysis course.

Wow, I hated those types of courses. Especially when it came down to made up problems' domain reduction and proving equivalency with other known problem domains.
We had a failure rate of 80% per exam and I barely scratched through on my 3rd attempt. Was a lucky guess, too, that made me pass.

Have you taken the prereqs?

That is a math course. Should be fine with a good real analysis course behind you. Negative is it might turn you off from CS because 95% of CS is nothing like that

Hmm...thoughts on this NYU class instead:

http://cs.nyu.edu/courses/summer12/C...002/index.html

Thanks again guys,
Mariogs

Shouldn't be too challenging for a good math student. But you should get the chance to build some cool programs in python. If you're curious about programming it's a good place to start.

I think you'll be fine. It's a course that math people would have a much easier time with (and enjoy more) than typical programmers.

yeah i'd jump on this for that reason alone