> "If there is a virtue to CS degrees, it's that most engineering tracks require an immense amount of coursework in hard sciences that require a high intellectual aptitude to complete."
I do not disagree with you at heart, but I think there are so many pervasive issues with modern education that I am not certain a high level of intellectual aptitude is necessary anymore. Hell, I somehow have a computer science degree which I honestly do not deserve considering how little I understood (and still do not understand). Then again, I didn't go to some prestigious university for the astute either, so take it for what it is worth.
Nevertheless, I feel like I learned a lot of information and was exposed to many topics at a surface level of understanding. However, there is little I learned that I couldn't have learned by just reading the textbook. In fact, most of my assignments and tests came directly from textbook or were similar enough.
I was trying to brush up on data structures and algorithms last year. Not because I was looking for a job, but because I always wished I understood DS&A on a more fundamental/mathematical level. I like details and understanding the 'why' or 'how' more than the 'what.'
I remember watching lectures of a professor on Youtube (Dr. Skiena at Stony Brook University). All I could think was how there is likely a slim chance in Hell that I would have made it through his class nor Stony Brook.
Overall, I think most of the difference is down to desire and motivation. Many of my fellow students at the time, cared little about computer science or programming. Most did just enough to get the piece of paper so they could start making 'real money' as they often would say. If one is capable enough to teach themselves how to program, then I do not doubt those individuals are capable of learning computer science to a level equivalent to me. Sure, they might not obtain a PhD level of understanding, but then again, the vast majority of bachelor degrees do not either.
> Hell, I somehow have a computer science degree which I honestly do not deserve considering how little I understood (and still do not understand).
I still take on faith that a kernel is some black box, some thing that just … works. It seems to manage memory, threads to some degree, the file system…?
I do not disagree with you at heart, but I think there are so many pervasive issues with modern education that I am not certain a high level of intellectual aptitude is necessary anymore. Hell, I somehow have a computer science degree which I honestly do not deserve considering how little I understood (and still do not understand). Then again, I didn't go to some prestigious university for the astute either, so take it for what it is worth.
Nevertheless, I feel like I learned a lot of information and was exposed to many topics at a surface level of understanding. However, there is little I learned that I couldn't have learned by just reading the textbook. In fact, most of my assignments and tests came directly from textbook or were similar enough.
I was trying to brush up on data structures and algorithms last year. Not because I was looking for a job, but because I always wished I understood DS&A on a more fundamental/mathematical level. I like details and understanding the 'why' or 'how' more than the 'what.'
I remember watching lectures of a professor on Youtube (Dr. Skiena at Stony Brook University). All I could think was how there is likely a slim chance in Hell that I would have made it through his class nor Stony Brook.
Overall, I think most of the difference is down to desire and motivation. Many of my fellow students at the time, cared little about computer science or programming. Most did just enough to get the piece of paper so they could start making 'real money' as they often would say. If one is capable enough to teach themselves how to program, then I do not doubt those individuals are capable of learning computer science to a level equivalent to me. Sure, they might not obtain a PhD level of understanding, but then again, the vast majority of bachelor degrees do not either.