Theoretical computer science in St. Petersburg

In St. Petersburg, and indeed in Russia, just a few years ago there were no educational institutions in which a complete program would be built from the first year, which would allow mastering theoretical informatics at the modern level.

Last year, an undergraduate degree was opened at St. Petersburg Academic University (A) , which prepares students in computer science with further specialization in theoretical computer science, software development, or bioinformatics.

This year, a bachelor degree in mathematics and theoretical computer science is opening at St. Petersburg State University .
')
Since I participated in the creation of both of these programs, colleagues strongly recommend me to explain. (My name is Eduard Hirsch , and I work in the laboratory of mathematical logic in POMI RAS.)

Yes, in both of these programs there is theoretical computer science, that is, theoretical computer science. Yes, the circle of teachers substantially intersects. Yes, both programs are in the city of St. Petersburg. Yes, in both cases theoretical informatics is basic courses on algorithms, discrete mathematics and combinatorics, computational complexity (P vs NP, many have heard, probably) and further courses on ... more diverse algorithms, cryptography, machine learning and ... (total do not list).

If you are a schoolchild and enroll in a bachelor’s program, and you are sure that you need theoretical informatics from education, then from the point of view of education, it’s all the same whether you go there or here. You will find the same lecturers and scientific leaders. Choose by other parameters, extra-scientific.

However, after graduating from school, rarely anyone knows what he needs and does not change his opinion later (for example, I did my time to become a programmer ... but somehow it turned out differently). Two educational programs differ not in theoretical computer science, but in the alternative - what if not? ..

Relatively speaking, the program at the Chebyshev laboratory is mathematics + theoretical informatics , and the program of the Academic University is programming + theoretical informatics . That is, if you are interested in another mathematics - you are in (H), and if you are interested in programming, in (A). Or from the contrary: if you are disgusted to program, you are in (H), and if you are afraid of a really large amount of complex modern mathematics, you are in (A).

I hope, I clearly explained (which is not clear - ask).

PS I foresee a possible question: is there somewhere all three in one bottle - mathematics, theoretical computer science and programming? In response, I recall a joke about a parrot, which, if pulled by the left leg - speaks in English, and if the right leg - in French. "- And what will happen if you pull him by both legs?" "- Then I will fall!" - the parrot answers.

PPS Disclaimer: this note does not pretend to the fullness of all possibilities to engage in theoretical informatics, it is devoted to the differences between the programs (A) and (H).