What's different between software development and a computer science course?

Word Wizard · December 10, 2014, 06:22:01 PM

So I'm applying to a college online and initially all their site said they offered was a course on computer science. When I got to the course selection part of the application I notice there is software development and software development via DE courses. Does anyone know the difference between CS and SD or what the DE stands for?

Turkey · December 10, 2014, 06:26:47 PM

It'll be specific to your college, but in general computer science is more theoretical and software engineering/development is more practical. If you have a knack for coding, you'll do very well in SE; if you want to learn about systems, then you'll enjoy CS.

Computer science is to software engineering as pure math is to physics.

Word Wizard · December 10, 2014, 06:37:22 PM

Quote from: H̲u̲r̲t̲f̲u̲l̲T̲u̲r̲k̲e̲y on December 10, 2014, 06:26:47 PM

It'll be specific to your college, but in general computer science is more theoretical and software engineering/development is more practical. If you have a knack for coding, you'll do very well in SE; if you want to learn about systems, then you'll enjoy CS.

Computer science is to software engineering as pure math is to physics.

So for someone with little knowledge in programming (I've only wrote a hello world program in 2 languages) it'd be best to go into computer science to get the best understanding of theory, while software development is more of a narrowed/specialized path? After graduating and a few years of working in the field I'd like to work independently. Which would you suggest?

Turkey · December 10, 2014, 06:41:18 PM

Quote from: Sly Instinct on December 10, 2014, 06:37:22 PM

Quote from: H̲u̲r̲t̲f̲u̲l̲T̲u̲r̲k̲e̲y on December 10, 2014, 06:26:47 PM
It'll be specific to your college, but in general computer science is more theoretical and software engineering/development is more practical. If you have a knack for coding, you'll do very well in SE; if you want to learn about systems, then you'll enjoy CS.

Computer science is to software engineering as pure math is to physics.

So for someone with little knowledge in programming (I've only wrote a hello world program in 2 languages) it'd be best to go into computer science to get the best understanding of theory, while software development is more of a narrowed/specialized path? After graduating and a few years of working in the field I'd like to work independently. Which would you suggest?

I'd talk to Isara or Cheat for specifics, but I would think that if you want a more general education go with CS, or if you know you want to write software, specifically, then go with SE/SD. My fiancee's dad is has a master's in CS and gets contract jobs writing for Intel. Pays really well, but for the most part it's grunt work.

Word Wizard · December 10, 2014, 06:46:07 PM

Quote from: H̲u̲r̲t̲f̲u̲l̲T̲u̲r̲k̲e̲y on December 10, 2014, 06:41:18 PM

Okay thanks for the help.

RomanGladiator · December 10, 2014, 06:56:03 PM

Related: I want to get a degree possibly in Computer Science/IT/Management systems. One big problem...I've never taken a calculus course and have only made it to Algebra II in High School. I have a BA degree (which is basically useless). I'm still only 22, but I would have to work at the same time if I wanted a new degree. Possible for me?