Is a Computer Programming Class Useful?

[GymShorts]

I'm thinking of taking a computer programming class this fall. I'll be applying to PhD programs and RA positions this fall. I think it would be very useful for an RA position (getting the job and improving my performance while there). And I think it could come in useful when doing my PhD, but I doubt it would make much of a difference with admissions.

I should point out that I will be applying to economics and finance PhD programs, and I don't have any real computer science classes (although I am very experienced with Excel, and I have some experience, but certainly not mastery, with Stata and RATS). Also, I won't be giving up any critical class: just an unnecessary math elective, like abstract algebra or combinatorics.

So will this class be useful? Thank you for your input in advance.

Here's the course description:

CSC 113: Computer Programming
Intended for engineering students and others who want a
comprehensive introduction to fundamental programming concepts
using a block-structured language. General problem-solving
techniques, including the concept of step-wise refinement
applied to the development of algorithms. Programming style,
structure, documentation, and testing. Prerequisites: None.

[italos]

It seems to me an introductory course. More generally, If you known how to program you could then easily learn C++ ,Matlab and other programming based language softwares.Very useful if you want to apply for RA.And If I recall well in the NYU's or Stanford's application there is an explicit question on programs you wrote.I do no know if this really counts but it is always a plus.

[miaataro]

I took a course on Java programming a couple of years ago and I think it has helped me a lot. I haven't actually used Java after the course but it certainly gave me a good background for my work as a RA. I am also quite sure that it will keep helping me when I am doing my own research. In my opinion, almost everything involved with programming is useful (but maybe not entirely necessary). In addition, I was quite suprised how fun programming can be!

[butler blue]

Programming is definitely more useful for doing a Ph.D. than combinatorics or abstract algebra. Well...if you want to develop your general proof-writing ability and such, the math classes might expand that part of your mind, but programming is definitely more directly applicable, even if it isn't in a language that eocn uses. I've been very appreciative that the math dept in undergrad made me take C++. It made second semester macro and metrics a lot easier because we did a lot of Gauss and MATLAB, which are very similar to C++. I don't think any of these will have much impact on your academic admission prospects, though.

[buckykatt]

I doubt it will make much difference for admissions, but learning to program will probably be much more useful for actually getting through grad school than gilding the lily with extra math classes.