When choosing a degree program, most students try plan a program of study that will lead to further opportunities in their field of interest. Adding a minor is one way to do that. Minors are often considered essential for those pursuing a liberal arts degree, since they give a student the chance to complete courses that may be more practical in a career. What if a student is already majoring in an academically strong career-oriented field like computer science? Having a minor is still a good idea. There are several minors that will complement a Computer Science degree.

Mathematics

Most students wish to streamline their degree program as much as possible. In most computer science degree programs, there is a large overlap of courses that are required for the computer science major and the mathematics minor. For students who are looking to complete a minor without having to take a significant number of additional classes, a minor in math is a wise choice.

Communication

A minor in communications will complement almost any major. Completing a communications minor will likely require courses in interpersonal communication, public speaking and organizational communication. These core courses alone may provide valuable skills for anyone beginning a new career. However, a communications minor may be of special interest to one pursuing a career in computer science. As an article in Science Daily indicates, computer scientists and linguists continue to seek new ways to help computers understand human language. A minor in communication gives one the chance to take courses that are directly applicable to their computer science career.

Psychology

Psychology is another field that may be directly applicable to a student who will be working in computer research. Science Daily explains how a psychology theory may enable computers to emulate human creativity. Designing artificial life forms that go far beyond robots requires an understanding of human behavior that a minor in psychology may provide.

Business

A computer science major may be able to focus solely on the technology side in their career. It is also possible that they will end up working in a corporation where business skills will be needed. Regardless of the career path chosen, a minor in business will provide an understanding of business principles that will be useful. Courses in marketing, management, finance and accounting provide a solid foundation that will allow one to be a better consumer or employee.

Choosing a major is an essential part of the college experience. Choosing a minor to complement that major can be fun. In some cases, it is easy to add a degree-related minor with the courses that one must complete anyway. In other cases, it is a chance to take unique and interesting classes that may end up relating to a career in unexpected ways. This is especially true for students who are entering the field of computer science. With technology advancing everyday, the diverse skills and interest of those working with it can only enhance the future.