20 replies to this topic

[HereIAm]

I heard something about Java programming in a major, does anyone know which one it is? I'm kinda thinking its computer science, and yea its a bit early for me to be thinking about my major but I've been doing java programming for a couple months now and I just thought it would be easier for me to do in school with previous experience.

[NickC]

Computer Science

[HereIAm]

All right thanks Nick

Oh and is Computer Science as hard of a major as everyone says it is?

[banapopy]

From a few of my friends who have previously took it , the Java AP test was pretty hard, but certainly doable if you know your stuff. Other than that, people have told me that compsci it's pretty fun and you get to do stuff on the computers when you're bored.

[HereIAm]

Yea I've been doing Java programming for a couple months now and I'm hoping that it's going to give me a little head start and make it harder for me to fall behind.

[NickC]

Everything is hard. You just need to be persistent and don't get lost.

[MaiAndy]

Since you have a bit of a background on Java, you're ahead of the class.

[xyz]

HereIAm, on 18 October 2009 - 10:13 AM, said:

I heard something about Java programming in a major, does anyone know which one it is? I'm kinda thinking its computer science, and yea its a bit early for me to be thinking about my major but I've been doing java programming for a couple months now and I just thought it would be easier for me to do in school with previous experience.

As mentioned that would be the computer science major. There is also some C++. Note in the end you do AP Java, so, you'll definitely have a head start, especially if you continue with it until Sept, or maybe the next if you're still a freshman. I seem to recall you get some hardware/networking licensing, do graphics, 3d animation, database'ing, web development, some electronics mild gaming, etc. I understand the CS teachers wanted to strenthen the curriculum with say an intro to programming etc as well so there may be tweaks in the course design, but don't know if they'll get their way or not. Either way, pretty cool if you ask me.

[SoLR]

xyz, on 18 October 2009 - 05:44 PM, said:

As mentioned that would be the computer science major. There is also some C++. Note in the end you do AP Java, so, you'll definitely have a head start, especially if you continue with it until Sept, or maybe the next if you're still a freshman. I seem to recall you get some hardware/networking licensing, do graphics, 3d animation, database'ing, web development, some electronics mild gaming, etc. I understand the CS teachers wanted to strenthen the curriculum with say an intro to programming etc as well so there may be tweaks in the course design, but don't know if they'll get their way or not. Either way, pretty cool if you ask me.

The gaming aspect was taken out already. Also AP Java is a Jr. Comp Sci major class. And yeh, I've heard comp sci is one of the harder majors.

[HereIAm]

Why was the gaming aspect taken out? It was something I was looking forward to

[xyz]

That is interesting, but just checked the website and unless it is outdated no replacement courseware seems to have taken its place from what I recall of it.

With recent changes to shops, etc. I'm wondering, does anybody know of any structural changes made or soon to be made to the media major?

[AktarerZ]

Speaking from experience, I'll say you're already ahead of most people in AP Java. It's not as hard as people think. The key thing is concentration. Focus on what you're being asked and always pay attention to the teacher (that's critical!).

Anyways, pick computer science when the time comes...

[ragw33d999]

If you get Stuck with a wonderful teacher like Mr Goldman For AP java you'll easily open your mind up to the extremities and joys of java, its good that you have a back ground on it but in his class be highly imaginative,oh and theres hardly ever any homework=] Go for computer science you'll love it

[ragw33d999]

the gaming aspect was taken out because Asher thought it be necessary=] and expensive so you have to thank for that

[NickC]

In the coming weeks, I'll be working with the senior major representatives from each major to devise a uniform major review so that it will give the underclassmen an opportunity to think about which major they would want to go into.

I didn't want to do architecture because I heard from the upperclassmen, when I was a sophomore that the major was torture. However, although my friends all said it was, they added that it was FUN. That is something I look forward to. Although I am satisfied with the major I'm in, I think the most important aspect of high school is having fun.

Media does video projects during their senior year major periods. Architecture builds a house. Civil engineering does stuff in the park like all the time, aerospace seniors are flying air planes in 1N3 and so forth.

How many people can say they flew an airplane in high school, or they built a house?

This project should be complete by mid January.

[blackmanor1000]

High school really isn't all about having fun, in my opinion; high school is only four years and is just a gateway to college, so you shouldn't focus on having the time of your life. I think the major system is to boost your knowledge of a specific field you want to pursue and help prepare you for college. Somebody shouldn't join the Aerospace major because they want to fly a plane when they won't be able to handle the AP Physics and Astronomy classes in the major. So, sure, it'd be cool to be able to say, "Hey! I flew a plane in High School!" and that you really enjoyed that experience but if you don't even really want to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering and didn't do as well in AP Physics as that guy next to you who will be going to an Ivy league college and will become a big-time pilot, but, oh, He didn't have fun in high school! So what? While you're boasting about how you "flew a plane in high school," he'll be boasting about how he "flies planes for a living." Of course you can have fun and still work your a** off at the same time, but I think you should always focus on the latter, working your a** off.

[DoodleKid]

Time is relative. 2 years of no fun in a major may be short to some people, but torture for others... But I do agree that people shouldn't join a major just because they think it's fun and easy. People should join the major they choose not only because they like it, but because they think it'll help them in college and in life.

*points at some Media students*
YOU KNOW I'M TALKING TO YOUUU.

[SoLR]

blackmanor1000, on 27 November 2009 - 09:00 AM, said:

High school really isn't all about having fun, in my opinion; high school is only four years and is just a gateway to college, so you shouldn't focus on having the time of your life. I think the major system is to boost your knowledge of a specific field you want to pursue and help prepare you for college. Somebody shouldn't join the Aerospace major because they want to fly a plane when they won't be able to handle the AP Physics and Astronomy classes in the major. So, sure, it'd be cool to be able to say, "Hey! I flew a plane in High School!" and that you really enjoyed that experience but if you don't even really want to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering and didn't do as well in AP Physics as that guy next to you who will be going to an Ivy league college and will become a big-time pilot, but, oh, He didn't have fun in high school! So what? While you're boasting about how you "flew a plane in high school," he'll be boasting about how he "flies planes for a living." Of course you can have fun and still work your a** off at the same time, but I think you should always focus on the latter, working your a** off.

It's not ALL about having fun, but you do have to have some fun in high school. Otherwise you'll end up being some sort of a corporate zombie in the future. Also, the major system isn't a big deal, even if you're in aerospace you could still be a doctor or if you're in bio med you could just as easily become an engineer. It's just a few introductory courses to give you a basic sense of the various fields. Also, while undergrad is important, the curriculum is essentially the same for most universities, Ivy or not. So the guy who did have fun in high school would still be able to get the exact same position as the guy who did nothing but study. There's more to life than just working your ass off anyways. Work hard, have fun, don't go too crazy with high school.

[blackmanor1000]

Well, I guess "working your a** off" is too much, but I can't think of another lighter, more suitable word.

[NickC]

blackmanor1000, on 27 November 2009 - 09:00 AM, said:

High school really isn't all about having fun, in my opinion; high school is only four years and is just a gateway to college, so you shouldn't focus on having the time of your life. I think the major system is to boost your knowledge of a specific field you want to pursue and help prepare you for college. Somebody shouldn't join the Aerospace major because they want to fly a plane when they won't be able to handle the AP Physics and Astronomy classes in the major. So, sure, it'd be cool to be able to say, "Hey! I flew a plane in High School!" and that you really enjoyed that experience but if you don't even really want to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering and didn't do as well in AP Physics as that guy next to you who will be going to an Ivy league college and will become a big-time pilot, but, oh, He didn't have fun in high school! So what? While you're boasting about how you "flew a plane in high school," he'll be boasting about how he "flies planes for a living." Of course you can have fun and still work your a** off at the same time, but I think you should always focus on the latter, working your a** off.

Yeah, you're saying this now, but 2 years later, when you're in my position, you'll think otherwise.