Bsc Applied mathematics and computer science unisa

[Moonlit8377]

Ah. Yes. Math qualifications are a very good filter for things like intelligence and tenacity.

BSc CS degrees required 2 years of maths in my day (now only 1 I believe).

At UJ at least, it's still 2 years of maths, but there is an extended degree offering (4 years as opposed to 3) where only one year is required. But if you want to complete your degree in 3 years, then you'll have to take maths for the first 2 years.

 

[cguy]

At UJ at least, it's still 2 years of maths, but there is an extended degree offering (4 years as opposed to 3) where only one year is required. But if you want to complete your degree in 3 years, then you'll have to take maths for the first 2 years.

Good to know. I wish UCT still did that.

 

[Landvite]

I did this degree and then started work as a C++ dev afterwards. If I could make the choice again I would do Unisa's BSc Computing degree instead. With the Applied Math and Comp Sci degree you going to spend a LOT of time on third year math modules like Mechanics and Calculus of Variations, Special Relativity and Riemannian Geometry, and Ordinary Differential Equations which takes time away from programming. None of these subjects helped me at all once starting work as a dev and after a few months you start to forget because you're no longer using what you learnt. Also a year into your career how well you code and what you're like to work with is going to matter more than which specific Computer Sci degree you did.

If you're super strong academically, top of your class, and going to do Masters and PhD like cguy then maybe you'll get some additional value out of all the extra math and still do really well with the programming.
If you're more like me and might struggle a bit or you have to work at the same time I think it's better to do the Computing degree and then do honours in Computing as well if possible for better global recognition. It will also be easier to get into honours because your marks should be higher than with the Applied Math and Comp Sci degree (and I say this as someone who went into it with what most would consider a very strong math background).

Either way, good luck. If you're really on the fence between the two you could start with Appl Math and Comp Sci and if you're not getting very high marks for the math in first year change to Computing, you would only have 2 extra subjects to pick up at that point.

Yea I will try out computer science with math and see how it goes because I want a career in data science and/or machine learning

 

[Landvite]

Yes it is.

Although @Smets does make some good points. The direct value of the maths courses really depends on what you end up doing, which also depends somewhat on what you want to do.

I have worked my entire career in engineering and quantitative finance, so maths has been very useful to me. If you end up doing WebDev or e-payments or mobile apps or some such, it’s less likely to be directly useful.

Personally, I feel that the maths courses were a trial by fire (much harder than the CS courses), and that they made me smarter and more tenacious by doing them.

What careers would you recommend if I combine applied mathematics and computer science

 

[Landvite]

I have been involved in the hiring process of late at the company I work for, and the candidates with a BSc in Computing generally do a lot worse.

Why do u think that's the case

 

[Landvite]

Ah. Yes. Math qualifications are a very good filter for things like intelligence and tenacity.

BSc CS degrees required 2 years of maths in my day (now only 1 I believe).

Do you think that lowers the standard of CS degrees

 

[cguy]

What careers would you recommend if I combine applied mathematics and computer science

Data science or machine learning as you mentioned, but more generally, engineering and quantitative finance are also a lot more accessible to you.

 

[cguy]

Do you think that lowers the standard of CS degrees

A CS degree by itself isn’t as hard, so as a filter, it isn’t as good. Also, it’s way easier to cheat in CS - people copy tutorials, do group projects where one person does nothing, etc. So if a university doesn’t monitor these things it can become a problem. It’s very hard to get anywhere in a maths test if you don’t know what’s going on.

 

[Landvite]

Data science or machine learning as you mentioned, but more generally, engineering and quantitative finance are also a lot more accessible to you.

I actually want to get into the automotive industry using the skills I would have acquired but I don't know how to