<p>In order to get some feeling of what TCS might look like, I recommend watching the lectures given by Prof. Ryan O'Donnell:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanODonnellTeaching/playlists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanODonnellTeaching/playlists</a></p>
<p>And lectures given by Prof. Tim Roughgarden:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH4Ga14Y4ELFKrEYM1vXCg/playlists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH4Ga14Y4ELFKrEYM1vXCg/playlists</a></p>
<p>And by Prof. Jeff Erickson:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClzjdrM8L81bVX_a6u6Hobg/playlists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClzjdrM8L81bVX_a6u6Hobg/playlists</a></p>
<p>You may also want to browse some of the podcasts by Simons Institute:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonsInstitute/playlists" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonsInstitute/playlists</a></p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-17T12:31:46.240Z
2021-02-18T16:19:25.990Z
2021-02-18T16:19:25.990Z
Avi Tal
<p>So I am currently a sophomore majoring in Computer Science. In the Data Structures course that I am currently studying, I studied the basics of complexity of a program and big O-notation, etc. That got me interested in complexity theory and maybe pursuing TCS later on.</p>
<p>I have always had a great interest in mathematics and although I chose not to major in it (The math department at my university is not very good), I still plan to take some courses like Analysis, Abstract Algebra etc. (I have already taken Discrete Mathematics).  Initially, I started as a physics major so I have also taken two Quantum Mechanics courses.</p>
<p>I was just wondering if graduate admissions in TCS require a minor or major in mathematics or just some specific courses. Because, as far as my mathematical knowledge/skill is concerned, I think I have a strong background since I have always enjoyed solving problems involving proofs (although maybe not very formal ones) and sometimes just solving questions as a hobby.</p>
<p>Which courses are recommended to take if I want to maybe go into TCS later? Considering that I have 2 years left for my undergrad. Also, what are other possible sub-fields in TCS that I could consider?</p>
<p>The math/phy courses I have already taken are: LA, Calc 1 and 2, Discrete math, QM 1 and 2, Probability.</p>

<cc.complexity-theory><quantum-computing>
Pursuing Theoretical Computer Science after CS major
eipim1
# Pursuing Theoretical Computer Science after CS major

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-02-17)

So I am currently a sophomore majoring in Computer Science. In the Data Structures course that I am currently studying, I studied the basics of complexity of a program and big O-notation, etc. That got me interested in complexity theory and maybe pursuing TCS later on.

I have always had a great interest in mathematics and although I chose not to major in it (The math department at my university is not very good), I still plan to take some courses like Analysis, Abstract Algebra etc. (I have already taken Discrete Mathematics). Initially, I started as a physics major so I have also taken two Quantum Mechanics courses.

I was just wondering if graduate admissions in TCS require a minor or major in mathematics or just some specific courses. Because, as far as my mathematical knowledge/skill is concerned, I think I have a strong background since I have always enjoyed solving problems involving proofs (although maybe not very formal ones) and sometimes just solving questions as a hobby.

Which courses are recommended to take if I want to maybe go into TCS later? Considering that I have 2 years left for my undergrad. Also, what are other possible sub-fields in TCS that I could consider?

The math/phy courses I have already taken are: LA, Calc 1 and 2, Discrete math, QM 1 and 2, Probability.

**Tags:** cc.complexity-theory, quantum-computing

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-02-17. Score: 1

In order to get some feeling of what TCS might look like, I recommend watching the lectures given by Prof. Ryan O'Donnell:
<https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanODonnellTeaching/playlists>

And lectures given by Prof. Tim Roughgarden:
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH4Ga14Y4ELFKrEYM1vXCg/playlists>

And by Prof. Jeff Erickson:
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClzjdrM8L81bVX_a6u6Hobg/playlists>

You may also want to browse some of the podcasts by Simons Institute:
<https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonsInstitute/playlists>

Good Luck!


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