Do Computer Science majors not use Multivariable Calculus.

[DVK916]

I noticed at a few top Computer Science programs, they don't require Multivariable Calculus. Isn't Multivariable Calculus important information for a CS Major? It seems like something most people should know in life, expecially an engineer or science major.

 

[akubi]

you are a very confused little boy

 

[KillerCharlie]

Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

 

[StormRider]

Computer Science courses mostly uses discrete math

 

[ed21x]

you learn to do fourier transformations in CompSci class so that you never have to go beyond 1st order terms

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

 

[mugs]

What exactly do you think programmers do?

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

Why? If you don't use it, and don't need it to understand anything, where is the need?

 

[shuttleboi]

I took six lower-division math classes during my CSE curriculum: 3 calc, 1 multivariable calc, linear algebra, and differential equations. I think that is still the norm, but I haven't really checked lately.

If you want to be just a programmer, you can move along fine in your career without knowing much numerical math. However, if you want a higher position, I've found that it pays off to really understand advanced concepts related to linear algebra. I still have not touched multivariable calc since undergrad, though.

 

[DVK916]

Originally posted by: mugs
What exactly do you think programmers do?

When I took a class on C and C++ it was all coding, wasn't any thing with calculus at all. Just assumed some of the upper division classes would use calculus.

 

[Deeko]

I did take multivariable calculus for my CS program, but I can assure you that I will never use that information in my professional career, and it was definitely a waste of a term.

 

[shuttleboi]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

Calculus is not fundamentally important to software engineering. However, I've found that "mathematically mature" software engineers are more likely to be able to think abstractly and solve problems better. So in that sense, calculus and higher mathematics help out.

 

[fatty4ksu]

CUCK FULTIVARIABLE MALCULUS!

LMAO's!

 

[EarthwormJim]

Originally posted by: Auryg

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

Why? If you don't use it, and don't need it to understand anything, where is the need?

Because taking math classes like Calculus help you think "better". At least if you apply yourself.

 

[doze]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and a working knowledge of fractions and % with an understanding of basic geometry is fundamental. All other math is useless to most people.

 

[tfinch2]

We don't take multivariable calculus. Our math requirements are Discrete, Calc 1 and 2, Stats, and Linear Algebra.

 

[bonkers325]

if you're programming anything related to engineering or science, then chances are you'll need to know some degree of calculus

 

[mundane]

Our Calc requirements stopped at Calc III. I went on to Calc IV and Diff Eq, but _never_ used them. Discrete, Stats, CS Theory*, Crypto*, and Graph Theory were a hell of a lot more useful.

*Taught by CS program, but really were Math courses.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Maybe it's because we have an EECS program but we take 1 full year of calculus which is your typical Calc 1 and 2 as some people call it (or better yet it's Calc BC in the AP standards with maybe a tad more?) and then on top of that we take a semester of MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS (basically finishing off the entire Calculus book by James Stewart) and then 1 semester of linear algebra/differential eq.

In addition I think some EECS majors go and take discrete math also.

As a materials science engineer I've taken the same courses (not discrete math though) but on top of htat we have the dumbest requirement which is this "engineering math" class which goes through differential eq. in more depth (I think I finally understand 1st and 2nd order Diff Eq. and the different type of oscillators) and some other material like fourier transforms, laplace transforms, sturn-loisville... blah blah. I find it interesting because Mech. Eng. people and everyone else only have that as a possible ELECTIVE... but whatever.

 

[Jmman]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

So is spelling.......

Anyway, most CS programs do not require anything past calc II. As far as need, calc is not that hard, so if you needed it later, I am sure you could pick it up in a couple of days........

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: DVK916

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
Unlike an engineer, I can't vision a CS major ever using calculus.

Even if they don't use it, it is still important to know. Calculus is fundemental.

So is spelling.

Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and a working knowledge of fractions and % with an understanding of basic geometry is fundamental. All other math is useless to most people.

Even within engineering, the people who basically memorized and crammed for tests as a way of getting through never end up fully grasping the usefulness of the concepts in calculus. I believe that the majority of people who use more advanced mathematics on a regular basis are the people who actually understand it. This is even truer in business... I know many business majors who had to take "business calculus" but weren't able to really comprehend what was going on.

 

[ngvepforever2]

The only time I used multivariable calculus this semester was when I did neural networks in AI, it was a fun topic to learn.

Regards

ng

 

[Tiamat]

normal calculus is good to know just because its very basic. Multivariable calculus is not necessary for computer science.

 

[neutralizer]

At Berkeley, all EECS majors must take two semesters of calculus, one of multivariable, and one of linear algebra. On top of that, those who are CS focused usually tend take some class on discrete math and algorithms while those who are EE focused take a class on probability for DSP and comm classes.

 

[Atheus]

Fvck no...

Discrete math all the way, plus logics, algorithms etc.

What do I want calculus for anyway? The only calculus I can remember using as a programmer is some basic Euler integration for a physical simulation.