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Derek Marroquin

Professor Mercedes Eylicio

ENGL 115

15 October 2022

The World of Computer Science

When it comes to majors in college you always hear about medical, engineering, English,

Math and many more. The list just keeps on going but one major you don't tend to learn or know

about is Computer Science. When it comes to Computer Science, not many people take it

because of how intimidating it can be to learn how to code, but the main reason why people don’t

choose this major as a first choice is because it requires a lot of math, a subject that most people

do not like. This major is immediately associated with purely mathematical equations such as

calculus and statistics, but Computer Science is more than just math. Computer Science is a

major that is a mix of coding, hardware, software, networking, and mathematics. You need all of

these to understand the core of computer science and how it’s important for us to use it in the

world of technology.

For starters, we need to ask the question: what is Computer Science? Well according to

the website Master’s in Data Science, computer science is “the study/understanding of

computers, some of them being software design, hardware, computational theory, coding, and the

way us humans interact with technology like the internet.” To simplify this, computer science

helps future computer scientists understand how a computer works overall from the inside and

out. Another thing that computer science is also about is exploring how technology could solve

real-life problems such as predicting when an earthquake is going to hit or when a

hurricane/tornado is about to happen. Having technology like this and being able to understand it

is really useful so we can prepare ourselves because we never know when such events will
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happen. In computer science you learn to use certain algorithms to create software for people to

use in their daily lives. Some examples of computer science in our daily lives are media

streaming, security, computer games, social networking, and online shopping just to name a few.

We all end up using some form of computer science for our own purposes.

When it comes to computer science, computer scientists have a variety of responsibilities.

One of these responsibilities is “focusing on the development and testing of software which will

involve them doing mathematical models, data analysis and algorithms in order to define the

computational principles that are the basis for all of the software”according to Master’s in Data

Science. Computer scientists also improve computer systems or software with the use of data

science. This can help them work with electrical and computer hardware engineers on complex

projects if help is needed. According Master’s In Data Science, “Most companies are tech

companies in some capacity, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar retailer moving into the

e-commerce space or using an app to get your favorite food delivered to your door, computer

science technology has improved our access so that almost anything we want is at our

fingertips.” In other words computer scientists are the foundation of the many things that we use

today. The website further states, “Clearly, there’s a need for computer science-related technical

skills as companies upgrade their business models. A career in computer science, especially

software development, is an innovative space and can be exciting work for those who enjoy

lifelong learning.” The skills that a computer scientist possesses are important as we live among

technology. Skills such as creating software and understanding the structure of coding allows

them to create new technology as well as be responsible for the role they may play. In order for

them to acquire these skills, computer scientists have to focus on one subject that most people

struggle with and that subject is mathematics.

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Mathematics is by far the most common subject that people point out when they hear

computer science. Some have always wondered why math is so important when it comes to this

field as surely there are “more important” parts to focus on. First of all, the reason why

mathematics is related to computer science is because it teaches you how to not only use the

algorithms, but to analyze and model answers to real world problems. Math subjects such as

algebra, statistics, and calculus all play a big part in computer science. According to the website

Computer Science Degree Hub, they explain that “possessing a strong foundational knowledge

of mathematics is vital to gaining an understanding of how computers work. Mathematics is a

fundamental scholarly tool in computing.”When you understand the basics of something you are

able to build on that knowledge, ultimately that is what the article is explaining with mathematics

and computer science. The website explains, “Statistics is a form of math used in computer

science that uses quantified models, representations, and synopses for a provided collection of

experimental data or actual studies. The field studies methodologies to obtain, review, evaluate,

and form conclusions from data.” With sufficient knowledge in statistics, computer scientists are

able to understand data and algorithms when creating software. In computer science you will be

looking at a lot of data which is why statistics is also important. Understanding what you are

looking at will help you catch any errors and fix them so your algorithms are operating correctly.

The website also explains how algebra plays a role in computer science. “College algebra covers

various concepts, including linear equations, operations, factoring and exponents. Algebra is

used in computer science in the development of algorithms and software for working with

mathematical objects as well as to design formulas that are used in numerical programs and for

complete scientific computations.”This means that along with the formulas from algebra that you

learn in class, you can also be able to develop and define the relationships between algorithms
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and the softwares which plays a big part when it comes to developing. These are some of the

reasons why math like algebra and statistics are important to learn before learning about the core

details of coding. Without learning these math subjects then you won’t understand the actual

basics of coding. With all of this information and skills on computers it raises the question on

what kind of jobs can you obtain with a degree in computer science?

With a degree in computer science many would think the type of job they could only

obtain is either in software development or as a website programmer. According to Doug

Wintemute he lists 20 jobs that you can get with a computer science degree, the salary, and what

the job demands from you depending if you have a bachelors or masters degree. For example,

one of the jobs you can pursue is becoming a video game developer and if you choose this path

Wintemute explains, “video game developers create various aspects of video games, including

applications, coding, gameplay mechanics, and user interfaces.” If you want to become a video

game developer you shouldn’t expect to just work on the game’s code but to use your creativity

if you feel that there should be more added to the gameplay mechanic. You’ll be working on

various aspects of the game, not just one single focus. Another job you could end up having is

becoming a mobile application designer with a salary of $71,958. Funny thing is you don’t even

need a degree in computer science if you already have the knowledge of someone who has the

degree. For this job Wintemute explains that, “They design based on consumer and user needs,

run the application through testing, and make upgrades and improvements when necessary.” His

point in this is that they basically design/upgrade things depending on what a certain person or

the public wants to stay hooked for their next product. For example, Apple has a loyal customer

base and it is because of their mobile design and applications they offer. There are even more
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jobs you get with a computer science degree that’s not only based on software designing, but ask

you to use your creativity and other skills that you may possess.

Computer science is the foundation of the technology that the majority of the population

uses today. Video calling apps, online games, and so much more are creations that computer

scientists were able to develop due to their knowledge in computer science. With their expertise,

computer scientists have aided the population to connect with family and friends across the

world, even in times of uncertainty. For example, if we recall 2 years ago back when the dreaded

pandemic happened we all remember the shift from in person to online especially if you were

still in school. We all remember being uncertain about the switch to online and wanting to go

back in person. Many people struggled with adapting to online work/school and some still do.

Computer scientists have tried their best to make sure the apps they created for the pandemic

were easy to use. Apps such as Zoom were brand new during the pandemic and computer

scientists made sure that the design of the application was not as difficult to use so everyone

across the world could use it. Soon enough, Zoom was the standard app many schools and

businesses used to conduct meetings from home while social distancing. With Zoom and apps

like Discord, people were able to not only stay connected but also explore the internet more and

see its potential. Multiplayer video games such as AmongUs and Fall Guys became a trend and

many people began playing and connecting with others. This pandemic helped computer

scientists thrive as it gave them the opportunity to show what they can do and they did just that.

Besides making video games and communication apps, computer scientists helped us keep track

if Covid cases were still rising thanks to their software and coding capabilities, Game Developers

helped us from going insane just by playing a new game they made thanks to their creative

thinking, having updates to still keep us hooked on the game, and their coding capabilities to
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make things run smoothly for people who used other applications like Microsoft Teams. Fast

forward to now, the majority of the population become more accustomed to things like online

learning, shopping and overall getting to know our devices much better to the best of our

capability. We still use them now since computer scientists continue to upgrade these

applications in order for us to use in a post-pandemic world. As we keep moving forward in time

we see technology growing more than ever and we even use the internet more often too. Thanks

to computer scientists and computer science in general we wouldn't be using the internet way

more than we used to and it is all thanks to their various skills and passion.

In conclusion, there is so much more to computer science than what meets the eye. Sure it

is a lot of math, but you now know why math is so important in this field along with the other

skills you will acquire if you choose to take this path. You don’t have to worry about what type

of job you want to get with this degree as there are many different ways to utilize it nor will you

worry if you’ll ever drop in demand due to technology constantly evolving. Computer science is

something important to our daily lives and if you choose to pursue this career path at least you

know what you can expect during your time learning the ropes and what to expect in some jobs

that you are thinking about.

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Works Cited

Computer Science, Degree Hub. “5 Types of Math Used in Computer Science.” Computer

Science Degree Hub, 8 Sept. 2020,

https://www.computersciencedegreehub.com/lists/5-types-of-math-used-in-computer-scien

ce/.

Data Science, Masters. “What Is Computer Science?” CORP-MIDS1 (MDS), 4 Aug. 2022,

https://www.mastersindatascience.org/learning/what-is-computer-science/

Wintemute, Doug. “The Best Computer Science Careers in 2022.” ZDNET, 18 June 2022,

https://www.zdnet.com/education/computers-tech/best-careers-with-computer-science-deg

ree/.