Game design or Computer Science?

Hey people, I'm looking for good courses for University with final objective of working in the industry (I know, I know, typical) and yeah I was wondering what was considered better? getting a Bachelor in computer science+Masters in Game and Media Technology (which basically is a Masters in Computer Science) for a total of 5 years or go for a different program called  International Game Architecture and Design which is only a  Bachelor that would take 4 years. What seems better in order to aim for game designer?  

" Hey people, I'm looking for good courses for University with final objective of working in the industry (I know, I know, typical) and yeah I was wondering what was considered better? getting a Bachelor in computer science+Masters in Game and Media Technology (which basically is a Masters in Computer Science) for a total of 5 years or go for a different program called  International Game Architecture and Design which is only a  Bachelor that would take 4 years. What seems better in order to aim for game designer?   "

Go for a bachelors in comp sci and a masters in a field relating to one of the following: 
network topologies 
AI (typically genetic algos and NLP these days) 
human interface design 
computer graphics 
 
The masters isn't really that necessary though, unless you're passionate about one of the above specializations.  You'll likely get more mileage out of your masters if you publish a few papers..

I think the Bachelors is the best, because my university offers a program called "Game Development and Entrepreneurship" which is a 4 year Bachelors program.

" I think the Bachelors is the best and this is because my university offers a program called "Game Development and Entrepreneurship" which is a 4 year Bachelors program. "

Computer science mostly has to do with programming in general, where game design is the mix of both design and technology. I am not an expert, however if your not a good programmer, maybe take the game design course. Then again you need to sort of understand a bit about art, or actually be able to communicate your ideas, with drawings, which you have to learn a bit how to draw or design.

" @ISuperGamerI said:

" I think the Bachelors is the best and this is because my university offers a program called "Game Development and Entrepreneurship" which is a 4 year Bachelors program. "

I'm more in favor of getting a 'real' degree from a widely recognized university.  I'd feel a little silly walking up to larger financial firms looking for work with a degree in 'Game Development'.  I realize that many people have the goal of developing games, but how does shoe-horning yourself away from other (generally better-paying) career paths help you? "

Computer science because you will not be taken seriously with a degree in game design and you will therefore get no jobs.

You can get a real job with a CS degree in the (not unlikely) event that you wind up with no job or a shitty job in games.
 
It does not work the other way around.
 
'Nuff said.

" Computer science because you will not be taken seriously with a degree in game design and you will therefore get no jobs. "

" @newt said:

" @ISuperGamerI:  
The point is, if you want to write code for ANY application-- go with computer science.  If you want to write code in the interactive software industry, the best degree is computer science.  If you want to write software in the financial sector, the best degree is computer science.  If you want to write software independently, you'll get the best foundation to do so in computer science. "

This. Its much easier to market yourself with a Comp Sci degree than it is with a degree in Game Development. It also sounds a lot less dorky when introducing yourself. "

" @ISuperGamerI:  
The point is, if you want to write code for ANY application-- go with computer science.  If you want to write code in the interactive software industry, the best degree is computer science.  If you want to write software in the financial sector, the best degree is computer science.  If you want to write software independently, you'll get the best foundation to do so in computer science. "

get a CS degree obviously which will net you many more opportunies for work outside of the usual gaming and software( like biotech, financial...)

It all depends. I would go for the Computer science degree myself, I think that having a masters would open doors to you. Then again, I remember reading a while back that John Carmack said something along the lines of, "we don't need any more wonder kid programmers in the industry. We need people that can design and create maps." Well, that is a paraphrase, but I think I got the general point across. Basically in the article he was talking about how graphics technology has increased to such a large degree that the art team is dwarfing coders, and it is becoming difficult to find someone who can design a great environment that looks intriguing yet is fun to move around in.

game design. Computer science is incredibly boring.

" It all depends. I would go for the Computer science degree myself, I think that having a masters would open doors to you. Then again, I remember reading a while back that John Carmack said something along the lines of, "we don't need any more wonder kid programmers in the industry. We need people that can design and create maps." Well, that is a paraphrase, but I think I got the general point across. Basically in the article he was talking about how graphics technology has increased to such a large degree that the art team is dwarfing coders, and it is becoming difficult to find someone who can design a great environment that looks intriguing yet is fun to move around in. "

If you love games the answer is clear.  But you have to really want to make games.  It is fucking hard work.  There are days where you are working every waking hour.  It is perhaps the hardest job in western world for the smallest pay, not that they get paid poorly but it's certainly not enough for the stress caused.
 
Computer Science is totally different.  You won't necesserily be programming all of the time, it's much broader and opens doors to a lot of other opportunities.  However if you want to design games, Game Design is a route one option.  Plus most courses offer intermediary skills that tackle some of the core Computer Science topics.
 
The drop out rate for Games Design is huge.  If you think it'll be all fun and games you are HUGELY mistaken.  You need to be really intelligent too, I mean in the sense that you are logically intelligent, meaning you can use your initiative as well as listening to what the teacher says and learn it without hassle.  It sounds super intimidating but all you really need to do is not be dumbstruck by every word the lecturers say, you can avoid this by READING up on your topics and make the most of the education.  It's a super competetive market and if you ever want to make a game you might like you have to be good enough for a company to want you.  You also have to do a lot of shit you don't like for games kids might play, real depressing shit.  But it's a stepping stone at the foot of the mountain.

The Institute of Technology Carlow, Ireland. A course developed in partnership with Microsoft, of which there are two in the world.
Your disbelief of the second point probably hinges on the word "dedicated". You could have 20 programmers on a team but this includes scripters, and even excluding scripters some of the programmers have additional responsbilities.@newt said:

" @EdIsCool:  If you don't mind me asking, where do you attend Uni?  The first point seems a little odd, the third seems (to my knowledge) completely false, and the second is true as long as you don't care at all about job security. "

" 1. Windows is the devil, if you can program at all use Linux we get told this at least 3 times a week by different lecturers( none of which appear insane) "

All I can say is that computer science totally sucks. The most dreadful and boring subject I've ever taken.

If you want to program then take CS, you will probably be a more versatile programmer by the time you finish.

Yeah I'm thinking to head more towards the Computer Science course because the Masters in COmputer Science is going to be focused in Game and Media. Thanks for the help :D