• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Computer Science with humanities/maths subjects? (1 Viewer)

boredofstudiesuser1

Active Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
570
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2018
Hey,

I'm currently in year 11 and I'm doing:

3U maths (accelerated 2U - hoping to pick up 4U in year 12)
Advanced English
Physics
Music 2
Legal Studies
Financial Services Cert III

Originally I planned to do SDD instead of Physics, but I heard that the teachers at my school weren't the best at it and thought it would have nothing to do with my tertiary degree (Like Law or Finance). By doing coding courses on my own at home, I'm really enjoying it and would not potentially want to do it at uni. My subjects aren't set up for it though, and I think most unis assume SDD or IPT for uni entrance.

My question is: Is it possible to get into Computer Science without SDD or IPT and if it is, would having limited knowledge of technology to begin with be much of a handicap? Would I have to do a bridging course at Tafe? Would it be better to stick with an original plan of Law/Maths?
 
Last edited:

keepLooking

Active Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
477
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
It is possible to get into Computer Science without SDD or IPT, I did not do SDD or IPT. Regarding your 'limited knowledge of technology', obviously this will handicap you but not by much because the introductory level courses assume that you have no previous programming experience. Though having programming experience will obviously be beneficial and will make the first few weeks a breeze.
 

boredofstudiesuser1

Active Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
570
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2018
Thanks for the responses. Does anyone know of any uni that would let me do a Bachelor of Science (Maths) with a bachelor of computer science or a way that I could get qualifications in both maths and computer science?
 

baktiar77

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
99
Gender
Male
HSC
2016
Thanks for the responses. Does anyone know of any uni that would let me do a Bachelor of Science (Maths) with a bachelor of computer science or a way that I could get qualifications in both maths and computer science?
I think most unis offer a Bachelor of Science(Advanced Mathematics)/Computer Science. I know a fair few doing it and "enjoying" it at UNSW (which I know is highly regarded for maths in Australia.)

However, heads up with double degrees you'll spend an extra year (or half a year, depending on how UNSW trimester system works).
 
Last edited:

si2136

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2014
Messages
1,370
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
I think most unis offer a Bachelor of Science(Advanced Mathematics)/Computer Science. I know a fair few doing it and "enjoying" it at UNSW (which I know is highly regarded for maths in Australia.)

However, heads up with double degrees you'll spend an extra year (or half a year, depending on how UNSW trimester system works).
Bach of Comp Sci & Maths is a bit overrated. But that's a course that OP can do that allows him to major in both maths and computer science.

And OP, you don't need SDD/IT. Just 3U like what sqrt said.
 

sida1049

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
926
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
Thanks for the responses. Does anyone know of any uni that would let me do a Bachelor of Science (Maths) with a bachelor of computer science or a way that I could get qualifications in both maths and computer science?
If you're aiming for UNSW or USYD, both unis allow you to double major in computer science and mathematics under Bachelor of Science with or without the '(Advanced Mathematics)' label. The only difference is B. Science (Advanced Mathematics) at UNSW requires you to complete an honours year in an area of maths, while the equivalent degree at USYD does not. The advanced maths degrees have a few more points of difference when it comes to your maths major, so you should look up on those (I believe you are required to take more maths units than USYD to receive an advanced maths from UNSW, while at USYD you can take the same number of units as a normal maths major [or any other major] but at an advanced level).

Either way, completing a 3-year B. Science degree while double majoring in computer science and mathematics (not including honours) is very much possible.
 

boredofstudiesuser1

Active Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
570
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2018
If you're aiming for UNSW or USYD, both unis allow you to double major in computer science and mathematics under Bachelor of Science with or without the '(Advanced Mathematics)' label. The only difference is B. Science (Advanced Mathematics) at UNSW requires you to complete an honours year in an area of maths, while the equivalent degree at USYD does not. The advanced maths degrees have a few more points of difference when it comes to your maths major, so you should look up on those (I believe you are required to take more maths units than USYD to receive an advanced maths from UNSW, while at USYD you can take the same number of units as a normal maths major [or any other major] but at an advanced level).

Either way, completing a 3-year B. Science degree while double majoring in computer science and mathematics (not including honours) is very much possible.
Travel-wise, Macquarie would be preferable (living in regional area) and I would be finishing a bit young to relocate at the end of year 12. Is there anything at Macquarie like this?

If not, I reckon I'd be aiming for something like this - double major sounds better than double degree. Thanks for the info.
 

Flop21

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
2,807
Gender
Female
HSC
2015
Travel-wise, Macquarie would be preferable (living in regional area) and I would be finishing a bit young to relocate at the end of year 12. Is there anything at Macquarie like this?

If not, I reckon I'd be aiming for something like this - double major sounds better than double degree. Thanks for the info.
Up to you. Apparently comp at macquarie much shittier than comp at UNSW.


Also pro tip, universities have websites with lots of information on them - including the prerequisites. You'll also see that UNSW's program is fine for people who have never programmed before.
 

baktiar77

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
99
Gender
Male
HSC
2016
Travel-wise, Macquarie would be preferable (living in regional area) and I would be finishing a bit young to relocate at the end of year 12. Is there anything at Macquarie like this?

If not, I reckon I'd be aiming for something like this - double major sounds better than double degree. Thanks for the info.
If you're rural, definitely try applying for the university scholarships.

As for Macquairie, going by their website:(http://www.mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/engineering-and-it/computer-science), it doesn't look too appealing and I don't think they offer pure Computer Science in undergrad.

You'll also see that UNSW's program is fine for people who have never programmed before.
Is it really? Some of my friends are already regretting programming and one my friends completely dropped his Software Engo (technically CS) course just before Census. Then again, I guess my friends aren't the greatest examples.
 
Last edited:

keepLooking

Active Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
Messages
477
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
Is it really? Some of my friends are already regretting programming and one my friends completely dropped his Software Engo (technically CS) course just before Census. Then again, I guess my friends aren't the greatest examples.
Did he start this year? Many students are struggling this semester it looks like? So I am assuming that COMP1511 (equivalent of COMP1917) is much harder than its equivalent offered last year since there has been a lecturer change.
 

Shadowdude

Cult of Personality
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
12,145
Gender
Male
HSC
2010
I did some computing subjects at UNSW and I'd never touched programming before

My average was 90+ for those subjects, but that's because I worked hard at those subjects, and put in the effort - which is what uni studying is all about
 

sida1049

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
926
Gender
Male
HSC
2015
Travel-wise, Macquarie would be preferable (living in regional area) and I would be finishing a bit young to relocate at the end of year 12. Is there anything at Macquarie like this?

If not, I reckon I'd be aiming for something like this - double major sounds better than double degree. Thanks for the info.
Yes, Macquarie University does have Bachelor of Advanced Science (and regular Science) with specialisations (majors) in mathematics and software technology! I'm going to assume that you should be able to double major in both majors, but to be sure you should consult them.
 

Flop21

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
2,807
Gender
Female
HSC
2015
If you're rural, definitely try applying for the university scholarships.

As for Macquairie, going by their website:(http://www.mq.edu.au/study/find-a-course/engineering-and-it/computer-science), it doesn't look too appealing and I don't think they offer pure Computer Science in undergrad.


Is it really? Some of my friends are already regretting programming and one my friends completely dropped his Software Engo (technically CS) course just before Census. Then again, I guess my friends aren't the greatest examples.
I've seen the assignment for the first computing course this year and it's fucked. It makes me sad that you're friends are regretting it because it seems they messed up by making the first assignment SO HARD. I too would have dropped out if I got that assignment. Spoken about this with a bunch of people, it's really really bad and makes me cringe thinking about all the people who will drop out because of it :(

But yes it's suppose to be for people who have never programmed before, so you should tell your friends to stick with it.

I did some computing subjects at UNSW and I'd never touched programming before

My average was 90+ for those subjects, but that's because I worked hard at those subjects, and put in the effort - which is what uni studying is all about
This new lecturer seems to have made it 10x harder. So your 90+ means nothing for this semester's first year comp.
 

Shadowdude

Cult of Personality
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
12,145
Gender
Male
HSC
2010
flop pls

It's nothing that honest to god hard work can't (partially) fix
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top