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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Engineering Forum => Topic started by: yg7s7 on September 08, 2009, 07:58:33 PM

Title: Which Course Should I Take, Computer Science I Or Some History Class?
Post by: yg7s7 on September 08, 2009, 07:58:33 PM

I'm a junior who goes to a liberal arts school, and my major is chemistry. After my 2 years of college experience and mulling over my aptitudes and career opportunities for a long time, I figured I should change my major to chemical engineering. However, my school does not have an engineering school, so I'll have to transfer to follow my goal. I'm planning to transfer after finishing fall semester. My overall GPA isn't that good (3.0), so I won't be applying to top-tier schools.

The notable classes I've already taken are: gen chem w/ labs, o-chem w/ labs, analytical chem, inorganic chem, freshmen calc I and II, multivariable calc, and linear algebra. By the end of this semester I will be finishing Physics 1, P-chem 1 (thermodynamics), Differential equations, Biochemistry (designed for chem majors, spans only 1 semester).

I still have to choose a 5th class, and I'm torn between Computer Science I, of which course description merely says "No prerequisite required. This course is an introduction to the art and science of computer programming and to some of the fundamental concepts of computer science. Students will write programs in the Java programming language. Good program design methodology will be stressed throughout. There will also be a study of some of the basic notions of computer science, including computer systems organization, files, and some algorithms of fundamental importance," and a history class called Europe and the Modern World I. Honestly, I don't think I can transfer the credit from neither of the classes. Will CS I be more useful?

Title: Re: Which Course Should I Take, Computer Science I Or Some History Class?
Post by: Ida Isotope on September 08, 2009, 10:47:25 PM

I definately think History would be more interesting but the computer science class will probably be more useful/applicable in the future.

I'm personally very intimidated by computers....didn't use one until 4 years ago. I wish I knew them better.

Title: Re: Which Course Should I Take, Computer Science I Or Some History Class?
Post by: eugenedakin on September 28, 2009, 10:34:05 PM

Hi yg7s7,

I have a background in chemistry and computer science. Computer science will benefit your chemistry knowledge. It is an essential tool.

The java language is especially great! I personally program in Netbeans (free plugins and no compatibility problems between operating systems .. at least no problems yet).

Really, you can't go wrong with java.

Sincerely,

Eugene

Title: Re: Which Course Should I Take, Computer Science I Or Some History Class?
Post by: yg7s7 on September 29, 2009, 02:34:08 AM

Thanks for the replies!

Title: Re: Which Course Should I Take, Computer Science I Or Some History Class?
Post by: Borek on September 29, 2009, 02:49:03 AM

Quote from: eugenedakin on September 28, 2009, 10:34:05 PM

Really, you can't go wrong with java.

With one important caveat - Java is basically an interpreted language, which means it is not a good choice whenever you need high performance for numerical calculations.