March 24, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR CAROL TOMAN IN IL
The requirements for a software Computer Science major don't usually
include any "nature" science. A hardware emphasis might require some
materials science, chemistry, or physics. In either case, colleges
always have general education requirements in addition to those of your
major, and some science will certainly be included by every college, but
this is easily satisfied. You really need to check with the colleges
you're interested in attending for the details of their program.
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A: FROM MENTOR ANDREA GUNTHER IN WA
Earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics are sometimes called the
natural sciences. These sciences are very important for getting
accepted into college. It is good to take as many science courses and
at the highest level offered at your high school. This shows colleges
that you are motivated, able to perform, and willing to take on the
challenge. The science classes also teach a pattern of logical thinking
that will be useful in computer science classes. The computer science
majors at my college were required to take chemistry, physics and an
additional science (astronomy, biology, etc.) as part of the degree.
The chemistry and physics classes provided all the information needed,
but were taught at a quick pace and assumed that the students had been
introduced to the concepts in high school.