For two extra classes, would you get a math minor?

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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
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Originally posted by: Babbles
I can care less what you do with your time and life, but I wonder if any of these people who are saying yes actually have a reason to say yes. As somebody else mention you could take a year to get another bachelor's degree which would be meaningful.

The fact is, at least in my experience, is that a minor doesn't mean anything.
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I've been on the employer side of hiring several developers at both my current and previous jobs, and I can say that given resumes from two recent CS grads that are equal in other ways, the math minor would give one the edge.

Until you have experience from 1-2 full-time salaried positions,
* GPA matters (both overall and major GPA)
* internships and RA experience matter
* a math minor matters, but not as much as the other 2.

If you're a software developer. Other fields are different of course.
 
K

Kenazo

Lifer
Sep 15, 2000
10,429
1
81
It's 2 extra courses, but will that equal an extra semester, two, or can you squeeze it into your current schedule? If it'll take more time, don't bother, if you can do it in your current sched, giver!
 
C

chiwawa626

Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
12,013
0
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For two extra classes, would you get a math minor?
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Hell no, if i put that on my resume then when i get into the industry people might actually expect me to do math! (Just finished my last math class :) Linear Algebra - CSE major who never wants to see math again..lol).
 
S

sciencewhiz

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
5,885
8
81
Originally posted by: Jmman
At my school CS majors like myself have to get a math minor. Not an option....:(
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At my school, as an EE you take enough classes to get a math minor, but there is a limit to the number of classes that you can double count between a major and minor, and so you have to take 2 more math courses to get the minor.
 
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Semidevil

Diamond Member
Apr 26, 2002
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0
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if you do do it, do not take those abstract math classes, i.e. real analysis, abstract linear algebra, abstract algerbra, topology, etc etc. Those will rape you in the ass, and then rape you again at finals time until you scream like a 5 year old who was pregnant.

Instead, take applied math, i.e, stats, numerical analysis, probability, etc etc. Lots easier, and will not make you pull your hair.
 
M

MrX82

Member
Sep 24, 2004
61
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depends on whcih math courses, if its real and complex analysis run like hell, if its an algebra or geometry class, why not?
 
dbk

dbk

Lifer
Apr 23, 2004
17,685
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Unless you are gonna go to grad school I don't see the point.
 
A

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
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Do it ... not so much for the minor, but you can never have enough math if you hope to get into a scientific field.
And it's a little resume gravy as well.
 
TheLonelyPhoenix

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
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If you have even the slightest intention of grad school and some free credit hours to work with, yes, do it. I'm doing the same thing with Electrical Engineering. It looks good and is valuable later on.
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Yes, because everyone looks at a math minor and thinks "Ooo, TEH SMART". Then hopefully they give you a job, or at the very least respect.
 
Babbles

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
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I don't suppose why I should care, but I do find it somewhat funny that so many people whom say things like "It looks good" or "It's resume fluff" and things of that nature are all still college students themselves. Not really the best of people to give career advice if they themselves are still in school.

There is nothing wrong in taking the classes, of course unless you do not perfom well in them and they lower your GPA but that is a risk you must decide. Sure if you have the *exact same* resume as somebody else it can set you apart, but the chances of you have the exact same courses with the exact same grades and everything else held equal is probably pretty low.

Only reason I am trying to be Mr. Negativity about getting the minor is I don't want you to be disilliusioned with the usefullness of it. I am in the chemistry field, so granted it is different computer science but it is still a technical field. Anyhow the more technical your field become the less meaningful the 'lower' degrees are. Something like having an associates is as exciting as wet noodles and basically ditto that with a minor. Hell a BS is basically not taken much more seriously than a high school diploma and that kind of pisses me off, but we won't go there.

Guess here is my real point. If you want to take the courses for a math minor, do it for yourself because you want to learn whatever those courses have to offer. Do not take it thinking it will empower you somehow.
 
G

GtPrOjEcTX

Lifer
Jul 3, 2001
10,784
6
81
Originally posted by: notfred
I'm a computer science major, and upon graduating, I'll be two classes shy of a math minor. Think it's worth the extra effort?
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interesting that you say that. as I too was a comp science major, and had to take 2 additional classes to get a math minor. I loved math so I didn't really care and the two courses 2 of the best courses I had there. challenging.

good stuff.
 
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