computer programming: college & careers

Computer Programming:College & Careers

Computer Programming Creating software by writing in computer Creating software by writing in computer

language ("code")language ("code")

Computer Programming Software is just a list of instructions: First do this, Software is just a list of instructions: First do this,

then this, then this, and so on. . .then this, then this, and so on. . . Modern progams have a very large list of Modern progams have a very large list of

instructions: instructions: Windows XP has over 50 millionWindows XP has over 50 million!!

Programmers spend abouttwice as much time fixingproblems (bugs) as theydo writing the instructions

Computer Programmers Enjoy building thingsEnjoy building things Think AbstractlyThink Abstractly Work in teams or as individualsWork in teams or as individuals Work in many different fieldsWork in many different fields

The NYPD has a teamof computer programmers

Computer Programming: #1 Job

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/

A quick search for "Computer Science" in occupationsOccupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

1. 1. MathematiciansMathematicians2. 2. Computer software engineersComputer software engineers3. 3. Operations research analystsOperations research analysts4. 4. Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer Computer systems analysts, database administrators, and computer

scientistsscientists5. 5. Medical records and health information techniciansMedical records and health information technicians6. 6. Market and survey researchersMarket and survey researchers7. 7. StatisticiansStatisticians8. 8. Atmospheric scientistsAtmospheric scientists9. 9. Computer programmersComputer programmers10. Medical scientists10. Medical scientists11. Economists11. Economists12. Software Publishers12. Software Publishers13. Conservation scientists and foresters13. Conservation scientists and foresters14. Sales engineers14. Sales engineers15. Travel agents15. Travel agents16. Urban and regional planners16. Urban and regional planners17. Announcers17. Announcers18. Dietitians and nutritionists18. Dietitians and nutritionists19. Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing19. Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing20. Teachers-postsecondary20. Teachers-postsecondary

Outlook for the next decade "Despite the recent economic downturn among firms involved in information "Despite the recent economic downturn among firms involved in information

technology, technology, software publishing is, nevertheless, software publishing is, nevertheless, projected to be the fastest growing industry in the projected to be the fastest growing industry in the U.S. economy over the next decade.U.S. economy over the next decade. Wage and salary Wage and salary employment is expected to increase by 68 percent between 2002 and 2012, employment is expected to increase by 68 percent between 2002 and 2012, more than four times the 16 percent growth projected for all industries more than four times the 16 percent growth projected for all industries combined. Even in difficult economic times, organizations continue to make combined. Even in difficult economic times, organizations continue to make investments in software. Software boosts productivity, increases efficiency, investments in software. Software boosts productivity, increases efficiency, and, in some cases, reduces the need for workers. Growth will not be as rapid and, in some cases, reduces the need for workers. Growth will not be as rapid as it was during the previous decade, however, as the software industry begins as it was during the previous decade, however, as the software industry begins to mature and as routine work is increasingly outsourced overseas."to mature and as routine work is increasingly outsourced overseas."

-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbookhttp://bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs051.htmhttp://bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs051.htm

Average starting salary for College graduates by major Accounting -- $43,050 (up 2.4 percent)Accounting -- $43,050 (up 2.4 percent) Business Administration -- $38,357 (up 2.6 percent)Business Administration -- $38,357 (up 2.6 percent) Marketing -- $37,519 (up 4 percent)Marketing -- $37,519 (up 4 percent) Economics/Finance -- $40,719 (up 0.3 percent), Economics/Finance -- $40,719 (up 0.3 percent), Computer Science -- $51,042 (up 4.9 percent)Computer Science -- $51,042 (up 4.9 percent) Information Science -- $43,741 (up 3.9 percent)Information Science -- $43,741 (up 3.9 percent) Civil Engineering -- 43,159 (up 4.1 percent)Civil Engineering -- 43,159 (up 4.1 percent) Chemical Engineering -- $53,659 (up 2.1 percent)Chemical Engineering -- $53,659 (up 2.1 percent) Electrical Engineering -- $51,113 (up 2.4 percent)Electrical Engineering -- $51,113 (up 2.4 percent) Liberal Arts -- $29,060 (down 3.6 percent)Liberal Arts -- $29,060 (down 3.6 percent) Education -- $30,207 (SF Teacher -- $39,520)Education -- $30,207 (SF Teacher -- $39,520)http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/Careers/04/20/class.2005/index.htmlhttp://www.cnn.com/2005/US/Careers/04/20/class.2005/index.html

Which jobs are most offered? In a separate part of its survey, NACE asked employers which In a separate part of its survey, NACE asked employers which

jobs they have offered the most so far this year and what their jobs they have offered the most so far this year and what their starting salaries were. starting salaries were. Accounting (private): $44,564Accounting (private): $44,564 Management trainee: $35,811Management trainee: $35,811 Teaching: $29,733Teaching: $29,733 Consulting: $49,781Consulting: $49,781 Sales: $37,130Sales: $37,130 Accounting (public): $41,039Accounting (public): $41,039 Financial/Treasury analysis: $45,596Financial/Treasury analysis: $45,596 Software design/development: $53,729Software design/development: $53,729 Design/construction engineering: $47,058Design/construction engineering: $47,058 Registered nurse: $38,775Registered nurse: $38,775http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/15/pf/college/starting_salaries/?cnn=yeshttp://money.cnn.com/2005/04/15/pf/college/starting_salaries/?cnn=yes

Computer animation and gaming

"The market for educational software and "The market for educational software and entertainment software, which includes entertainment software, which includes video gamesvideo games, is also expected to experience , is also expected to experience robust growthrobust growth over the next decade. " over the next decade. "

-2005 Occupational Outlook -2005 Occupational Outlook HandbookHandbook

http://bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs051.htmhttp://bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs051.htm

Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering

Computer ScienceComputer Science Liberal Arts--more variety in classes and more Liberal Arts--more variety in classes and more

electiveselectives Study more than just programming--create own Study more than just programming--create own

computer language and compilercomputer language and compiler Not as much CalculusNot as much Calculus

Computer EngineeringComputer Engineering More emphasis on Hardware and Electronics More emphasis on Hardware and Electronics Lots of Calculus and Engineering classesLots of Calculus and Engineering classes Not as many opportunities for electivesNot as many opportunities for electives

Both majors prepare for careers in programming and Both majors prepare for careers in programming and software designsoftware design

The MIS Degree: Management Information Systems

Usually offered as a Business degreeUsually offered as a Business degree Studies in using and managing computer Studies in using and managing computer

information systems in a business organizationinformation systems in a business organization Strong emphasis on networking and the the skills Strong emphasis on networking and the the skills

needed to design, implement, and evaluate needed to design, implement, and evaluate computer-based systems computer-based systems

NotNot much emphasis on programming, engineering much emphasis on programming, engineering or calculusor calculus

Computer animation and gaming

Specialized trade schools often offer specialized Specialized trade schools often offer specialized training specifically in animation and gamingtraining specifically in animation and gaming

Academy of Art (SF) offers a bachelors of fine Academy of Art (SF) offers a bachelors of fine arts in "Game Design", "Motion Graphics", arts in "Game Design", "Motion Graphics", "Special Effects" and "2D and 3d animation""Special Effects" and "2D and 3d animation"

Digipen (Redmond Washington) offers degrees in Digipen (Redmond Washington) offers degrees in "Real-Time Interactive Simulation", " Computer "Real-Time Interactive Simulation", " Computer Engineering ", "Applied Arts in 3D Computer Engineering ", "Applied Arts in 3D Computer Animation", "Production Animation"Animation", "Production Animation"

Top Computer Engineering schools

Smaller Colleges and UniversitiesSmaller Colleges and Universities1.1. Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. (IN)Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech. (IN)2.2. Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo 3.3. Cooper Union (NY)Cooper Union (NY)4.4. Harvey Mudd (CA)Harvey Mudd (CA)5.5. Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)

Larger UniversitiesLarger Universities1.1. Massachusetts Inst. of TechnologyMassachusetts Inst. of Technology2.2. University of California–Berkeley University of California–Berkeley 3.3. Stanford University (CA)Stanford University (CA)4.4. University of Illinois (Champagne-Urbana)University of Illinois (Champagne-Urbana)5.5. Carnegie Mellon (PA)Carnegie Mellon (PA)

Other well regarded Computer Sci/Eng schools LocalLocal

1.1. UC DavisUC Davis2.2. San Jose StateSan Jose State3.3. University of Santa Clara University of Santa Clara

Further awayFurther away1.1. Cornell (NY) Cornell (NY) 2.2. Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology3.3. CalTechCalTech4.4. Purdue (IN)Purdue (IN)5.5. Princeton (NJ)Princeton (NJ)6.6. UCLA, UCSD, UCSBUCLA, UCSD, UCSB7.7. Brown (RI)Brown (RI)8.8. Dartmouth (NH)Dartmouth (NH)9.9. Swarthmore (PA)Swarthmore (PA)

and many, many others

Computer Programming in different majors There are many majors that require or benefit from There are many majors that require or benefit from

programming. For example:programming. For example: EngineeringEngineering EconomicsEconomics Information & Library ScienceInformation & Library Science Business & AccountingBusiness & Accounting Music and Visual ArtsMusic and Visual Arts Meteorology & Atmospheric ScienceMeteorology & Atmospheric Science BiologyBiology Mathematics and PhysicsMathematics and Physics Urban PlanningUrban Planning

Computer Programming in different college majors EngineeringEngineering

Many Engineering majors (including UC Berkeley and Many Engineering majors (including UC Berkeley and Davis) now Davis) now requirerequire coursework in programming coursework in programming

"Admissions requirements for undergraduate "Admissions requirements for undergraduate engineering schools include a solid background in engineering schools include a solid background in mathematics, and science, and courses in English, mathematics, and science, and courses in English, social studies, humanities, and social studies, humanities, and computer and computer and information technologyinformation technology." -Occupational Outlook ." -Occupational Outlook Handbook 2004-2005Handbook 2004-2005

Computer Programming in different college majors EconomicsEconomics

"Because of the importance of quantitative skills to "Because of the importance of quantitative skills to economists, courses in mathematics, statistics, economists, courses in mathematics, statistics, econometrics, sampling theory and survey design, and econometrics, sampling theory and survey design, and computer sciencecomputer science are are extremely helpfulextremely helpful." ."

"Many businesses, research and consulting firms, and "Many businesses, research and consulting firms, and government agencies seek individuals who have government agencies seek individuals who have strong computer and quantitative skillsstrong computer and quantitative skills and and can perform complex research." can perform complex research."

- from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook- from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook

Computer Programming in different college majors

Mathematics & PhysicsMathematics & Physics Many schools, like Cal Poly San Luis Many schools, like Cal Poly San Luis

Obispo, now Obispo, now requirerequire Math and Physics Math and Physics majors to study computer programmingmajors to study computer programming

"Mathematicians should have "Mathematicians should have substantial knowledge of computer substantial knowledge of computer programmingprogramming, because most complex , because most complex mathematical computation and much mathematical computation and much mathematical modeling are done on a mathematical modeling are done on a computer." computer."

- from the 2004-2005 Occupational - from the 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook HandbookOutlook Handbook


Many Universities have centers for Computer Music Many Universities have centers for Computer Music ResearchResearch UC Berkeley UC Berkeley CNMATCNMAT: "is an interdisciplinary research center, : "is an interdisciplinary research center,

drawing participants from many university departments including drawing participants from many university departments including physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, psychology, computer physics, mathematics, electrical engineering, psychology, computer science, cognitive science and music."science, cognitive science and music."

Stanford Stanford CCRMACCRMA "The Stanford University Center for Computer "The Stanford University Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics is a multi-disciplinary facility Research in Music and Acoustics is a multi-disciplinary facility where composers and researchers work together using computer-where composers and researchers work together using computer-based technology both as an artistic medium and as a research tool. "based technology both as an artistic medium and as a research tool. "

UC San Diego UC San Diego CRCACRCA "Center for research in computing and the arts. "Center for research in computing and the arts. Since 2000, the University of California San Diego's Music Since 2000, the University of California San Diego's Music department offers both Masters and Ph.D. degrees in computer department offers both Masters and Ph.D. degrees in computer music."music."

Computer Programming in different college majors Business & AccountingBusiness & Accounting

In Business, writingIn Business, writing Macros Macros is very useful, and is is very useful, and is seen as the mark of a computer "power user"seen as the mark of a computer "power user"

A A MacroMacro is a small program inside of a Microsoft is a small program inside of a Microsoft office documentoffice document

Each of the components of Microsoft Office (Word, Each of the components of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access etc.) has built into it a PowerPoint, Excel, Access etc.) has built into it a powerful version of the Visual Basic (VBA) powerful version of the Visual Basic (VBA) programming language. programming language.

Programming Programming Macros Macros allows Office to be allows Office to be customized to meet the particular needscustomized to meet the particular needs


Meteorology & Atmospheric ScienceMeteorology & Atmospheric Science ""Weather forecasting has transformed over the last Weather forecasting has transformed over the last

half-century, thanks to innovations ranging from high-half-century, thanks to innovations ranging from high-speed computers and space satellites to "chaos theory" speed computers and space satellites to "chaos theory" and gadgets with acronyms like AXBT. " - SF and gadgets with acronyms like AXBT. " - SF Chronicle 10/25/04Chronicle 10/25/04

""Computer science coursesComputer science courses, meteorology courses, , meteorology courses, a strong background in mathematics and physics, and a strong background in mathematics and physics, and good communication skills are important to prospective good communication skills are important to prospective employers."employers."


BiologyBiology Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing and most Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing and most

complex industries in the worldcomplex industries in the world "undergraduate biological science majors usually study "undergraduate biological science majors usually study

allied disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and allied disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and computer sciencecomputer science. . Computer courses are Computer courses are essentialessential, as employers prefer job applicants who are , as employers prefer job applicants who are able to apply computer skills to modeling and able to apply computer skills to modeling and simulation tasks and to operate computerized simulation tasks and to operate computerized laboratory equipment." - Occupation Outlook laboratory equipment." - Occupation Outlook handbook 2004-2005handbook 2004-2005


Information and Library ScienceInformation and Library Science Berkeley SIMS :Berkeley SIMS : "The School of Information Management and "The School of Information Management and

Systems (SIMS) prepares leaders to understand, organize, and Systems (SIMS) prepares leaders to understand, organize, and manage information. Through research and teaching we seek to manage information. Through research and teaching we seek to discover better ways to collect, describe, evaluate, classify, store, discover better ways to collect, describe, evaluate, classify, store, retrieve, manipulate, present, and distribute information. We work retrieve, manipulate, present, and distribute information. We work with information as text, statistics, graphics, video, and audio, with information as text, statistics, graphics, video, and audio, both stored and real-time sensor data. "both stored and real-time sensor data. "

Companies see potential profits in Information:Companies see potential profits in Information: "Google's efforts to widen its search capabilities beyond basic "Google's efforts to widen its search capabilities beyond basic Web page results" include "a feature that lets surfers see excerpts Web page results" include "a feature that lets surfers see excerpts from some books", "satellite imagery" and a "Desktop Search" - from some books", "satellite imagery" and a "Desktop Search" - Cnet, October 27 2004Cnet, October 27 2004


Urban PlanningUrban Planning ""Planners use computers to record and analyze Planners use computers to record and analyze

informationinformation and to prepare reports and recommendations for and to prepare reports and recommendations for government executives and others. Computer databases, spreadsheets, government executives and others. Computer databases, spreadsheets, and analytical techniques are widely utilized to project program costs and analytical techniques are widely utilized to project program costs and forecast future trends in employment, housing, transportation, or and forecast future trends in employment, housing, transportation, or population. Computerized geographic information systems enable population. Computerized geographic information systems enable planners to map land areas, to overlay maps with geographic variables planners to map land areas, to overlay maps with geographic variables such as population density, and to combine or manipulate geographic such as population density, and to combine or manipulate geographic information to produce alternative plans for land use or development."information to produce alternative plans for land use or development."

"Because familiarity with "Because familiarity with computer modelscomputer models and and statistical techniques is important, courses in statistics and statistical techniques is important, courses in statistics and computer sciencecomputer science are recommended." are recommended."

computer programming: college & careers

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