Help! 2nd Bachelors or Postbac/Masters?

Hello,

I graduated from UC Berkeley several years ago with a degree in biology with a good GPA (3.98/4.00) though with very few math classes.

I'm now interested in studying either computer science or computer engineering to conduct applied research in AI.

I have two main options:

1) Pursue a 2nd bachelor's degree at Berkeley (top 3 program)

2) Pursue a postbac/masters at a less competitive university

Looking online, I've found that Brandeis and Boston University both offer a combined postbac/masters program in CS or computer engineering that I could probably complete in 3-4 years. My only fear is that this route will make me less competitive for PhD programs once I'm out. They include no required work in physics. The 2nd bachelor's would also require about 3 years but I'd have to take a huge number of diverse classes in physics/cs/math in comparison.

My ultimate goal is to received a PhD in computer science or engineering with an emphasis in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. My dream grad programs are at CMU and GeorgiaTech. I'm currently on the East Coast but am still classified as a California resident.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give!

Thanks much!

 

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choice #1

 

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Go with 1).

 

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At the end of the day, your the guy that has to live with your choices not the posters of the forums. I would however suggest looking at "Both" options further, take into consideration the overall curriculum as one might take you further in a direction of your choosing while another may not, there is then finances in the sense can you afford one over the other.

At the end of the day if you can stick either out, you'll have a qualification however it's up to you to identify what aspects of what you'll learn will aid you in a career move.

 

Career Plan

Thanks for the advice!

I was hoping to eventually end up at a university or a government lab doing applied research in robotics. Most postbac/MS programs seem to have a professional bent or are marketed as terminal degrees. I definitely want to be prepared for advanced work in robotics/AI.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts.

All the best.

 

IMO, Masters=buying a house without the advantages of actually owning a house at the end of the day. I'd almost always recommend doing a PHD program in place of a Masters degree; a better education, and you get *paid*, instead of paying out $200k

However, with a background in biology, getting accepted into a PHD program in CompSci/AI might be difficult. Postbac/Masters should be possible, but you may need to take at least a few undergrad CompSci classes first.

 

Computer Science or Computer Engineering

A related question:

The Berkeley program has the option of either a computer science OR a computer and electrical engineering undergraduate degree.

Which do you think would be the better option for robotics?

Thanks again!

 

Thanks

Thank you for the help.

 

Some people have actually trained in Neurology for Artificial Intelligence, since even with the skills to program if you can't understand what you are trying to mimic through programming then you aren't going to get too far.

 

Choice #1 and then continue with grad study. I believe masters and phd can be fused together.