computing or engineering

[nthtodo]

Hi guys, i'm going to mech engineering this year. However, i have started to sway towards CS/IS. This is my last chance to change course but i'm really unsure of whether or not to change.

Can some seniors shed some light on both the courses/share their advices?

Cause i have no idea on what to expect for both the courses(is the math really sooo tough? is programming really very dry? what are the chances we get to build/improvise things in mech engine, or is it only in the last 2years then we get to do that?)

 

[swordsly]

Hi guys, i'm going to mech engineering this year. However, i have started to sway towards CS/IS. This is my last chance to change course but i'm really unsure of whether or not to change.

Can some seniors shed some light on both the courses/share their advices?

Cause i have no idea on what to expect for both the courses(is the math really sooo tough? is programming really very dry? what are the chances we get to build/improvise things in mech engine, or is it only in the last 2years then we get to do that?)

Why have you started to sway towards CS/IS?
What of CS/IS do you know that made you sway?
What of mech engineering is making you sway (assuming it's a root cause)?

 

[nomnomnom]

Mech engine in your first year you will learn the basic math and physics knowledge needed for the basis of me.
The following 3 sems (year2-year3) will be core mods covering a wide range of topics wrt to me such as applied mechanics, thermo, fluid mechanics, mechatronics, manufacturing & materials.
There is a design project in the third year, (spanning for 2 semesters) where you have the opportunity to work with industries on a certain problem.

With regards to your question about "building/improvising" things, I'm guessing you are talking about working on projects which involve creating cool stuff? Maybe you can join the DCC program, FSAE or a tinkering club?

At the end of the day, the best thing is to choose a major whic you have passion for cos motivation and hard work is what that will get you through your 4 years here. All the best in your future endeavors & welcome back to school!

 

[nthtodo]

Mech engine in your first year you will learn the basic math and physics knowledge needed for the basis of me.
The following 3 sems (year2-year3) will be core mods covering a wide range of topics wrt to me such as applied mechanics, thermo, fluid mechanics, mechatronics, manufacturing & materials.
There is a design project in the third year, (spanning for 2 semesters) where you have the opportunity to work with industries on a certain problem.

With regards to your question about "building/improvising" things, I'm guessing you are talking about working on projects which involve creating cool stuff? Maybe you can join the DCC program, FSAE or a tinkering club?

At the end of the day, the best thing is to choose a major whic you have passion for cos motivation and hard work is what that will get you through your 4 years here. All the best in your future endeavors & welcome back to school!

I assume the basic physics that we are supposed to learn in year 1 are way harder than the ones in JC right? my physics is lousy

The core mods seems to require very solid foundation in physics, my physics is weak and i'm afraid sooner or later i will start to hate what i'm studying. I'm interested in the design project in third year but scared that i can't make it there

Is the lecturers good? As in, is it easy to understand what they are teaching or does the internet always have to come to the rescue?

Thanks for the advice! Don't really feel like going back to school.

Why have you started to sway towards CS/IS?
What of CS/IS do you know that made you sway?
What of mech engineering is making you sway (assuming it's a root cause)?

I feel that CS/IS have a better prospect. CS/IS is also easier to practice as whatever u learnt in school u can try it on your own computer. Unlike engineering everything u learn is theory until you start doing experiments and see the results.

I kind of like the idea of developing a program to help solve problems in real life , but i also understand that it's really hard to do programming.

 

[swordsly]

I feel that CS/IS have a better prospect. CS/IS is also easier to practice as whatever u learnt in school u can try it on your own computer. Unlike engineering everything u learn is theory until you start doing experiments and see the results.

I kind of like the idea of developing a program to help solve problems in real life , but i also understand that it's really hard to do programming.

Seems like everyone who uses smartphones these days thinks that CS is all about programming applications.

You can do that without being in CS/IS.
You need to look deeper as to why you would want to study CS/IS.
How well do you know what it is? Because I can assure you whatever that you just said above is a tiny fraction of what SoC students can do.

I'll leave it to the real CS and IS pros to tell you their life. It's not gonna be as easy as you think. Like what nom said, regardless you still need motivation to push yourself through those 4 years else you'll just be equally lost on why you picked the course in the first place.

And I'll break the myth for you; "developing applications" is a very illusive mirage that the market uses as a front. I believe many actually got "attracted" to CS/IS because of this mirage.

 

[Death4ngel]

Programming is just a tiny little part of Comp Sci la.

if u think CS is all about programming then u gonna regret it deep deep.

If u look at our module list,
only CS2103 is about building stuff. strictly speaking.
Because CS3201/CS3202 is not really building a program (or the kind of fun program u expect). imo.
Sure, u can take CS3216, CS3217 if u want to die. Develop apps for Facebook and iPad.
I doubt all the Software Enginnering mods need to build programs too. Should be mostly Theories. This one need ask mgx.

We do code in other mods la. Like maybe building a proxy as an exercise, trying to simulate implementing memory in computer. But all these are just exercises.
So the mods that really build apps / programs are like 12 mcs out of 160 mcs?

Throw in another 12 mcs if u building stuff for ur fyp.

 

[MoxLotus]

Software engineering has the least amount of mathematical theory but has a lot of those software engineering practices(more like IS). And most of the software engineering mods has project.

Other focus areas are more math oriented and has small programming assignments.

Anyway u have 2 yrs to decide on what focus area u wanna do. so u have more than enough time to figure out what u wanna specialize in.

 

[mgx-alander]

Programming is just a tiny little part of Comp Sci la.

if u think CS is all about programming then u gonna regret it deep deep.

If u look at our module list,
only CS2103 is about building stuff. strictly speaking.
Because CS3201/CS3202 is not really building a program (or the kind of fun program u expect). imo.
Sure, u can take CS3216, CS3217 if u want to die. Develop apps for Facebook and iPad.
I doubt all the Software Enginnering mods need to build programs too. Should be mostly Theories. This one need ask mgx.

We do code in other mods la. Like maybe building a proxy as an exercise, trying to simulate implementing memory in computer. But all these are just exercises.
So the mods that really build apps / programs are like 12 mcs out of 160 mcs?

Throw in another 12 mcs if u building stuff for ur fyp.

2103 / 3213 / 3281 + 3282 /4244

build apps