Computer science is a diverse field with many different branches. It's easy to get lost in the jargon and not know what type of computer scientist you want to be!
We will explore five fascinating branches of computer science that are sure to capture your interest. We will cover the meaning of computer science, skills required for success, and potential job opportunities available within each branch.
What is computer science?
Computer science is a field of study that helps people understand and invent processes for storing, organizing, understanding, and manipulating information.
The field includes engineering/hardware-oriented work such as computer design or circuit design and non-engineering fields like linguistics (computer languages) or psychology (using computers to model human decision-making).
In this new age of technology, the power of computing machines puts them at the center of our daily lives; no area of human endeavor is unaffected by the digital revolution.
What type of skills do you need to be a computer scientist?
The skills you need to be a computer scientist are math, logic, and problem-solving. There is no one career path that all computer scientists take, as there many different departments within the field of study.
With that said, computer scientists need to be able to do mathematical calculations and write logical code. They also need the ability to solve problems by thinking creatively about them.
5 Fascinating branches of computer science you can specialize in
Here are five interesting aspects of computer science you can specialize in:
1. Digital electronics
Digital electronics is one of the fascinating branches of computer science. It's a branch that deals with designing and building electronic circuits, including microprocessors, memory chips, amplifiers, and more. Digital electronics design can be broken down into three steps:
● designing an electrical circuit
● writing source code to describe it in software
● simulating the circuit using specialized software like SPICE or MATLAB/Simulink, accurately predicting how the parts will behave when put together.
The designer then tests these predictions by assembling the components on a breadboard so that she can see if anything went wrong before committing to manufacturing hundreds or even thousands of copies.
2. Robotics and artificial intelligence
Robotics and artificial intelligence are two sub-disciplines that have been making headlines in recent years. The development of robots capable of performing tasks ranging from assembling automobiles to assisting elderly patients has the potential to transform human society as we know it.
Artificial intelligence (AI) starts with computer scientists trying to make machines think more like humans, including recognizing faces or understanding speech patterns.
The AI branch may require knowledge in biology as well as coding languages and various machine learning algorithms.
3. Human-computer interaction
Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of how computers can be designed to help people complete tasks. HCI also includes designing for accessibility and usability, ensuring that a person's physical impairments do not interfere with using a computing device.
A good example of this would be adapting games, so they are easier for someone who has difficulty seeing or hearing to play because their disability does not allow them to enjoy what other players find an enjoyable experience.
Computer scientists who study human-computer interaction are interested in making computers easier to use.
4. Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the study of biological data, such as DNA and protein sequences. The field has grown from its roots in molecular biology to encompass other disciplines, including genetics, genomics, proteomics, biochemistry, and systems biology.
It's an increasingly popular area of research for people with a computer science background because it allows them to merge their two interests into one job.
The required skills include:
● Programming languages like Python or Java.
● Proficiency with web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
● Knowledge about databases, including MySQL or PostgreSQL.
● Familiarity with Unix-like operating systems (Linux).
In addition, you may need domain expertise - this can be medical know-how or microbiology experience.
5. Quantum computing
Quantum computing, or quantum information processing (QIP), refers to quantum mechanical phenomena to model and process information. Quantum computers are different from binary digital electronic computers based on transistors because they can simultaneously be in a superposition of many states.
A qubit is an elementary unit of quantum information; it represents one state or zero state. One way to understand this is that when we measure the "state" of a system concerning some property, such as its position along two axes x and y, for instance, there are only certain possible outcomes.
In classical computing, bits represent data as 0s and ones, but they cannot exhibit more complex phenomena such as interference.
How to get started in a computer career
Computer science is one of the most rapidly growing fields in today's global economy. With so many opportunities for a lucrative and satisfying career, knowing where to start can be difficult.
The best way to get started in a computer science career is to take introductory courses. These classes will teach you what computers are, how they work, and the basics of programming languages like Java or Python.
The majority of computer science degrees will have some form of calculus, probability, and statistics in them as well. It is important to keep these subjects fresh with continuing education courses.
Conclusion
Computer science is the study of computers and how they work. There are many branches in this field, such as digital electronics, robotics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, bioinformatics, and quantum computing. Now you understand the basics of these branches; you can, therefore, make the right choice on what you want.
