Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnprogramming › what does a computer science degree teach you?
r/learnprogramming on Reddit: What does a computer science degree teach you?
February 13, 2023 -
They can't possibly teach you every language and popular framework...or do they? What is expected of someone who has a CS degree? Do they have you learn your at your own pace a lot? Are you allowed to use whatever framework you want to complete your projects? Is it like a quota where you have to learn x new languages every month or something like that? In terms of knowledge of programming languages, what does everyone walk away from a CS degree with? Tell me what your class layout looks like over 4 years.
EDIT: A user has pointed out that maybe looking only at CS degrees isn't the necessarily the information I want. I am looking to learn how to program on a basic but employable level. Instead of just CS degrees, how about Software Development degrees as well? In fact any input as to what you walk away with from any programming based curriculums would be welcome.
Top answer 1 of 5
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They can’t possibly teach you every language and popular framework No, they don’t. It might differ slightly between schools, but my school taught us no frameworks and barely any languages. They thought us computer science fundamentals and theoretical stuff. Languages and frameworks you can learn on your own.
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Let me put it this way: I got my CS degree 20 years ago. I use NONE of the same languages I used while getting my degree, but my CS degree is valuable every day. CS teaches you the fundamentals: How programming works Algorithms and data structures How computers work How operating systems work Networking, databases, artificial intelligence, compilers, etc. You will do a lot of programming. Every class will have a specific language, you won't usually get a lot of choice. You'll be exposed to many languages over the years. The goal isn't to make you job-ready, it's to make sure you understand how everything really works, so you're not just following instructions, you're building things with confidence. It's highly recommended to do internships while getting your degree. That's where you'll get your actual practice with job skills. I am looking to learn how to program on a basic but employable level It's possible without a CS degree but it's a lot harder. A CS degree will ultimately open the most doors. Instead of just CS degrees, how about Software Development degrees as well? CS is the gold standard for programming degrees. Some schools offer Software Engineering, which is also great. It's not a monumental difference. And it's just not as common as CS.
U.S. News
usnews.com › home › education › best colleges
What You Need to Know About Becoming a Computer Science Major
November 8, 2023 - Computer science is a major for problem-solving students who want to learn how to use computers and computational processes to build websites, program robots, mine data and more. Computer science majors may go on to master’s or doctorate programs ...
Videos
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You Got Your Computer Science Degree... Now What? - YouTube
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Is Computer Science Right for You? (2024) - YouTube
What do you learn in computer science?
Computer science is often used as an umbrella term to cover everything spanning from artificial intelligence and data science to robotics, game development, and cybersecurity. Generally, computer science is the study of computers and how they work, including software, hardware, and algorithms.
wgu.edu
wgu.edu › blog › what-do-you-learn-computer-science2304.html
What Do You Learn in Computer Science?
What skills do you need in computer science?
Because computer science is such an in-demand career, gaining the right skills is important for individuals wanting to showcase their talent in today’s competitive job market. Key skills employers look for are:
Programming languages
Data analysis
Technical writing
Software development
Cloud skills
Time management
Attention to detail
wgu.edu
wgu.edu › blog › what-do-you-learn-computer-science2304.html
What Do You Learn in Computer Science?
What is computer programming?
One area of computer science is programming. Computer programming involves the process of giving machines a set of instructions that describe how a program should be carried out. Programmers devote their careers to learning a variety of programming languages and tools to effectively build computer programs.
wgu.edu
wgu.edu › blog › what-do-you-learn-computer-science2304.html
What Do You Learn in Computer Science?
WGU
wgu.edu › blog › what-do-you-learn-computer-science2304.html
What Do You Learn in Computer Science?
December 18, 2024 - Explore what you'll learn in a computer science degree program—from programming and algorithms to data structures and cybersecurity—with WGU.
College Board
bigfuture.collegeboard.org › explore-careers › majors › science-technology-engineering-math › computer-science
Major: Computer Science – BigFuture | College Board
Computer science majors learn about computer systems and the way humans and computers interact from a scientific perspective. Instruction includes programming and the theory and design of software.
Indeed
ca.indeed.com › career guide › career development › everything you need to know about majoring in computer science
Everything You Need to Know About Majoring in Computer Science | Indeed.com Canada
You can learn critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential in any field. Plus, you can take courses in other areas, such as business, to gain a more well-rounded education.
Published July 30, 2024
Sallie
sallie.com › colleges › majors › computer-science
What Is a Computer Science Major and What Can You Do With It? – Sallie
A computer science major teaches you how to build apps, design software, explore data, and understand the systems that power everything from your phone to global networks. It’s not just “learning to code”—you’ll gain the tools to think ...
Matt Might
matt.might.net › articles › what-cs-majors-should-know
What every computer science major should know
Learn You a Haskell by Lipovaca. Real World Haskell by O'Sullivan, Goerzen and Stewart. C++ is a necessary evil. But, since it must be taught, it must be taught in full. In particular, computer science majors should leave with a grasp of even template meta-programming. The C++ Programming Language by Stroustrup. C++ Templates: The Complete Guide by Vandevoorde and Josuttis. Programming Pearls by Bentley. Any assembly language will do...
Southern New Hampshire University
snhu.edu › about-us › newsroom › stem › what-can-you-do-with-a-computer-science-degree
What Can You Do With a Computer Science Degree?
With a degree in computer science, ... with dozens of potential job roles suited to your interests. You can also use the knowledge you develop in classes to apply foundational concepts and theories to work in a variety of industries, including technology, business, manufacturing and more. ... In addition to working across broad industries, computer science majors can choose ...
CollegeAdvisor
collegeadvisor.com › home › resources › computer science major: exploring computer science courses
Computer Science Major: Exploring Computer Science Courses
January 6, 2025 - Your computer science curriculum will be a lot broader and may include topics like algorithms, data structures, machine learning, theoretical computation, networks, and more. The major involves problem solving just as much as it does basic math ...
Study.com
study.com › business courses › business 104: information systems and computer applications
What Do You Learn in Computer Science? | Study.com
You'll also also gain experience working in a science lab. Many programs recommend taking a physics course, but you may have the option of studying chemistry or biology as well. Fortunately, Study.com also offers video courses in the following subjects: ... We have a growing collection of computer-related courses and career resource materials here at Study.com.
TheBestSchools.org
thebestschools.org › degrees › computer-science-degree
What Can You Do With A Computer Science Degree?
June 12, 2025 - In these programs, you learn to code, design and analyze algorithms, and develop software. You also learn to think critically, solve problems, and create new technologies. Depending on your skills and interests, you can even use your computer ...
freeCodeCamp
freecodecamp.org › news › what-you-learn-in-a-4-year-computer-science-degree-35a95457cb06
What you learn in a 4 year Computer Science degree
February 15, 2019 - Image by [Filosoficos](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Filosoficos&action=edit&redlink=1" rel="noopener" target="blank" title="User:Filosoficos (page does not exist)). This class was good. Very good. Data structures are used all over computer programming and are the backbone of most of the code people write. They allow us to store data in a way that is useful to the programs we write. The ability to look at data and know the best way to store it for time and space performance is a very useful skill to have. I learned about arrays, stacks, linked lists, doubly linked lists, trees, graphs, heaps and all the different flavors of these data structures (like self-balancing trees).
Michigan Tech
mtu.edu › cs › what
What is Computer Science?
April 9, 2025 - Computer science is the study of computers and computational systems. Computer scientists use various mathematical algorithms, coding procedures, and their expert programming skills to study computer processes and develop new software and systems.
Quora
quora.com › What-exactly-do-you-learn-in-a-computer-science-bachelors-degree
What exactly do you learn in a computer science bachelor's degree? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): It totally depends on the university you are applying for. Every university has a different set of courses they offer. Some large institutions and universities such as MIT and UCs have a very large catalog with an extremely large number of courses, some of which the bachelor’s ...
College Board
blog.collegeboard.org › major-spotlight-what-are-computer-science-majors
What are Computer Science Majors?
Computer science majors learn about computer systems and the way humans and computers interact from a scientific perspective. Instruction includes programming and the theory and design of software.
Central Michigan University
cmich.edu › blog › all-things-higher-ed › 23-careers-computer-science-degree
23 careers you can get with a computer science degree
They're studying AI to make big ... like machine learning (which is how computers learn from experience), natural language processing (which is how computers understand human language), and computer vision (which is how computers see and understand images)....
CareerVillage
careervillage.org › questions › 1615 › what-do-those-who-major-in-computer-science-do
What do those who major in computer science do?
If you major in CS, you'll study how computers work, and then you'll spend time programming computers to complete tasks. There are a lot of ways you can take it: you can learn about networking, about machine learning, advanced image processing, ...
ComputerScience.org
computerscience.org › degrees
Computer Science Programs: Cost, Types, What to Expect
October 25, 2024 - As a computer science major, you can sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills while learning about programming languages, networks, and software design.
Manhattan University
manhattan.edu › academics › majors-and-minors › computer-science.php
Computer Science | Manhattan University
Past students have interned at: ... The computer science major teaches you how to analyze problems and design your solutions in algorithms following by their utilization in a variety of programming languages. As a computer science major, you will: Learn industry standard programming languages ...
Coursera
coursera.org › coursera articles › degrees › degrees by topic › what is a computer science degree?
What Is a Computer Science Degree? | Coursera
July 28, 2025 - Computer science has a reputation for being a hard major because of how technical some of the subjects can be. Many programs expect you to learn a programming language (if you don’t already know one), take advanced math classes, and solve complex problems.