I am a double major in Computer Science and Agricultural Economics. These two majors within four years feel like a marathon race to me. But with relentless effort and dedication, it’s always possible at the U of A.
As the University’s Computer Science homepage states, “Computer scientists specialize in the software side of computing, focusing on writing new programs that allow computer applications to run faster and more efficiently.” Understanding programming has been fun and ‘brain cracking’ because it pays a lot to be a computer scientist with the many job opportunities.
Agricultural Economics, on the other hand, prepares students for careers as leaders in the business, financial, legal and environmental communities. I felt very interested in how the economy works in general, and really wanted to understand the theoretical and practical connections between computer science and economics so that someday I can help a dying economy and improve the technological issues for a developing country like mine, Ghana, whose economic backbone is agriculture.
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
For these reasons I decided to major in computer and economics science. Plus, the University of Arkansas has one of the most recommended Agricultural departments, Bumpers College of Agricultural Food and Life Sciences, in the United States with enviable professors. In addition, the University of Arkansas is privileged with an outstanding engineering department in Bell Engineering Center.
Bell Engineering Center and their shuttle.
Getting resources like books or technological devices for learning has been comparatively easier because the Mullin Library and the Student Technology Center have most of the required materials I need for my entire 4 year program. I have enjoyed and survived very pleasant subjects as well as crazy ones: those that will burn you off and keep you all night thinking. Some subjects like Macroeconomic Theory, Calculus II and Computer Programming II were notorious and hard to understand. However, what has made studying easier thus far for me are due to the study groups on campus and clubs within the majors. There is the Agricultural Business Club (ABC) as well as the Computer Science and Engineering Club. Most majors have clubs and study groups within, and have their respective tutoring centers to help us in our weekly home works or projects.
Also, it would be a good idea to discuss academic issues with course advisors before enrolling. For me, my advisor, Dr. Bruce Ahrendsen, has been my anchor during most semesters. He never turn his back on me, but tries to find all possible solutions to all my academic challenges.
There are several admirable professors in every department, but my favorites beside my advisor are: Dr. John Guach in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSCE) department and Dr. Nathan Kemper in the Agricultural Business and Economics Department. Dr. John Gauch is probably the nicest professor. He genuinely wants you to succeed and his lectures are very lucid. His homework and labs are related to the subjects talked about in class and he listens to all his students. What make me admire Dr. Nathan is his strong sense of humor and charisma. He is helpful and takes pride in preparing his students for exams and real world economic experiences. This helped make getting an ‘A’ in a Microeconomics class pretty easy because it was understandable.
-Joshua, Ghana
