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j0hnnys

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2010
49
0
California
When employers say they look for someone with a CS degree "or equivalent", is SE considered that one equivalent?
 

lee1210

macrumors 68040
Jan 10, 2005
3,182
3
Dallas, TX
A 4-year degree in agricultural engineering and a few years of real world software development would be considered equal. They want a bachelor's to show you can commit to a long term obligation and complete it. They say CS because they think that means people will know how to code (a CS degree doesn't mean that).

If you know how to read, write and debug code and have a four year degree you should be covered. They generally don't ask for a Uni transcript with an application to get past HR, and once you're in an interview they should be able to assess if you can perform the job.

-Lee
 

robbieduncan

Moderator emeritus
Jul 24, 2002
25,611
893
Harrogate
In almost all cases yes. Unless they have very specific reasons for wanting CS with it's more theoretic basis than SE. I'd say go for it.
 

Littleodie914

macrumors 68000
Jun 9, 2004
1,813
8
Rochester, NY
I actually majored in Computer Sci. for my first 3 years at uni., then for my 4th year switched to Software Engineering. (My BS was in SE.) The only change was a heavier emphasis on project- and requirements-based skills, including unit testing, requirements analysis, and various workplace productivity tools. (UML, Scrum, XP, etc.)

Computer Science generally tends to be more theoretical, and sometimes it felt to me like I wasn't developing enough practical "on the job" knowledge. There were parts of the coursework that involved projects, various programming languages and the like, but also courses involving low-level hardware design, (building a small CPU using AND/XOR gates), and on how math theory could be incorporated into proper database design (my least favorite).

In my very opinionated book, a degree in Software Engineering is more beneficial in the industry than a general Computer Science degree.
 

j0hnnys

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 18, 2010
49
0
California
I actually majored in Computer Sci. for my first 3 years at uni., then for my 4th year switched to Software Engineering. (My BS was in SE.) The only change was a heavier emphasis on project- and requirements-based skills, including unit testing, requirements analysis, and various workplace productivity tools. (UML, Scrum, XP, etc.)

Computer Science generally tends to be more theoretical, and sometimes it felt to me like I wasn't developing enough practical "on the job" knowledge. There were parts of the coursework that involved projects, various programming languages and the like, but also courses involving low-level hardware design, (building a small CPU using AND/XOR gates), and on how math theory could be incorporated into proper database design (my least favorite).

In my very opinionated book, a degree in Software Engineering is more beneficial in the industry than a general Computer Science degree.

Are the courses between CS and SE very similar?
 
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