I am going to work with computers, probably programming and stuff like that. I also like math and I am pretty good at it (not super-genius level). Currently I am taking Pre-Cal. Next year I think I will probably take Calculus. Is this a good idea? And what should I follow it up with in college?
How much math should I take for computers?
- Thread starter wviperw
- Start date
If you're doing CS in college, you'll probably go through at least Calc 2 and some Diff Eq. You'll get more into Discrete and Stat stuff though.
You will have great difficulty succeeding in computer science if you don't have a good understanding of calculus and discrete math. To answer your question, I don't think it would be possible for a computer science major to take too much math. 
Definitely start on calculus as soon as you can. As for what to take in college, the general guidelines will be laid out by your university, but several semesters of calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics are generally the norm.
Definitely start on calculus as soon as you can. As for what to take in college, the general guidelines will be laid out by your university, but several semesters of calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics are generally the norm.you may also want some algebra (group theory, ring theory, field theory)... in addition to what napalm mentioned
I'm going to take AP Calculus AB next year, which gives you 1 semester of college credit, assuming you do well enough on the AP exam to suit the school you are applying to, and you learn half of what you would learn in the 2nd semester of college Calculus. My school offers AP Calculus BC, which gives you 2 semesters of college credit, again based on if the college your applying to accepts AP credits and if you do well enough to place out of it at your college (each one can have different requirements).
I visited UTD to get an idea of their enginnering department, and they gave me a small brochuere with the electrical enginnering and computer science course requirements to get those degrees (each has different requirements). I'm sure your college will give you the same, so you can pour over that and decide what math classes to take then.
I visited UTD to get an idea of their enginnering department, and they gave me a small brochuere with the electrical enginnering and computer science course requirements to get those degrees (each has different requirements). I'm sure your college will give you the same, so you can pour over that and decide what math classes to take then.
I'm going to take AP Calculus AB next year, which gives you 1 semester of college credit, assuming you do well enough on the AP exam to suit the school you are applying to, and you learn half of what you would learn in the 2nd semester of college Calculus. My school offers AP Calculus BC, which gives you 2 semesters of college credit, again based on if the college your applying to accepts AP credits and if you do well enough to place out of it at your college (each one can have different requirements).
I visited UTD to get an idea of their enginnering department, and they gave me a small brochuere with the electrical enginnering and computer science course requirements to get those degrees (each has different requirements). I'm sure your college will give you the same, so you can pour over that and decide what math classes to take then.
I visited UTD to get an idea of their enginnering department, and they gave me a small brochuere with the electrical enginnering and computer science course requirements to get those degrees (each has different requirements). I'm sure your college will give you the same, so you can pour over that and decide what math classes to take then.
It depends. Check the major requirements for the school you want to attend. If you're still in high school, try to take all the math you can. It will help out a bunch in college.
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
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UNI? Nope. Better yet. University of Dubuque
I had a chop job of a major. It was halfway between a technical CS degree and managment oriented CIS degree. That's what I get for enrolling when they were halfway between transitioning from CS to CIS
I took the technical classes (COBOL, C++, Networking, Database structures) as well as the Business/Technology management classes (System Analysis, Info Tech Management, Accounting, Econ, Bus Stats, ect).
My math reqs came from the new CIS program. It only required algebra and Bus Stats
I lucked out.
I had a chop job of a major. It was halfway between a technical CS degree and managment oriented CIS degree. That's what I get for enrolling when they were halfway between transitioning from CS to CIS
I took the technical classes (COBOL, C++, Networking, Database structures) as well as the Business/Technology management classes (System Analysis, Info Tech Management, Accounting, Econ, Bus Stats, ect).
My math reqs came from the new CIS program. It only required algebra and Bus Stats
I lucked out.
hey if you learn math it shouldn't be to please the computers. you should do it for yourself man. for goodness sake, man, they're not even human. (yet)
What Nap and Mday said.......sadly *sob*
Vi I would kill people for requirements like that....really I'd consider it
Vi I would kill people for requirements like that....really I'd consider it
I remembered when I was in CS at my school taking Calculus 1,2,3, differential equations, discrete math 1 and 2, and theory of computation. I remember each semester clearly dreading those math classes... but somehow I managed to survive. My biggest mistake was not taking linear algerbra instead of differential equations.
I would try taking AP Calc BC, if you say you're pretty good at math, then taking BC and passing the AP exam won't be too difficult, although calc is totally different then any other math class you have taken. Sometimes it takes some time to get it.
The last thing you want to do is take calc in HS and in college, that's what I did and it really sucked. However Discrete Stuctures and Statistics are probably more important in programming than calculus.
I would HIGHLY recommend you take a programming class in HS(C++ or JAVA) if it is offered because from what you said you aren't too sure what you want to do.
<< I am going to work with computers, probably programming and stuff like that. >>
From your sig, I tell tell you are a overclocking fanatic and you probably like "working" with computers. However programming can be a very difficult subject for some people and even though they like computers, maybe spend most of their day on them, programming may not be what they're looking for.
I would talk to some CS undergraduates at a univeristy and ask them some questions that you may have, heck you can post right here on AnandTech!
The last thing you want to do is take calc in HS and in college, that's what I did and it really sucked. However Discrete Stuctures and Statistics are probably more important in programming than calculus.
I would HIGHLY recommend you take a programming class in HS(C++ or JAVA) if it is offered because from what you said you aren't too sure what you want to do.
<< I am going to work with computers, probably programming and stuff like that. >>
From your sig, I tell tell you are a overclocking fanatic and you probably like "working" with computers. However programming can be a very difficult subject for some people and even though they like computers, maybe spend most of their day on them, programming may not be what they're looking for.
I would talk to some CS undergraduates at a univeristy and ask them some questions that you may have, heck you can post right here on AnandTech!
Thanks you guys. I want to take as much math as I can. I wanted to take a programming class this semester but I couldn't , so I will take one next year. Mule, I understand that some people do not like programming. I have already programmed a little in C, and a little in Java, so I know that I like it. I like the hardware part of computers also, but I don't think I would like to fix computers as a full-time job. I might take something like Computer Engineering as a secondary thing though.
, so I will take one next year. Mule, I understand that some people do not like programming. I have already programmed a little in C, and a little in Java, so I know that I like it. I like the hardware part of computers also, but I don't think I would like to fix computers as a full-time job. I might take something like Computer Engineering as a secondary thing though.I would definetly recommend taking a lot of math courses because CS is essentially founded on the same principles as calculus and other high-end courses (logic, how to solve the problems, etc.)
StageLeft
No Lifer
- Sep 29, 2000
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Even if you want programming you do not need a strong math background depending on what you want to do. If you want to work at an engineering firm doing C++ all day, then yes, you better know your math. Thats the sort of job for a CS grad.
On the other hand there are plenty of pure all-day programming jobs that don't require much math. I know plenty of people working in the IT field and all they do is program in Java or Visual basic, and their schooling was a standard degree plus a technical college and little to no math. These people program but not quite as "hardcore" as CS grads; they work with different stuff and so for them they do not really need the math. Afterall creating some business applications and dealing with a database don't require calculus...but if you want to make a pimp-ass piece of engineering software don't come looking to me (somebody who rather sucks at math) with your answers
On the other hand there are plenty of pure all-day programming jobs that don't require much math. I know plenty of people working in the IT field and all they do is program in Java or Visual basic, and their schooling was a standard degree plus a technical college and little to no math. These people program but not quite as "hardcore" as CS grads; they work with different stuff and so for them they do not really need the math. Afterall creating some business applications and dealing with a database don't require calculus...but if you want to make a pimp-ass piece of engineering software don't come looking to me (somebody who rather sucks at math) with your answers
Talk to somebody in the math or CS department why you need to know math and be able to do it on paper.
You're going to work in the computer field. Let the computer do the math.
Can't remember which pentium it was but didn't one of them do 2+2=5?
You're going to work in the computer field. Let the computer do the math.
Can't remember which pentium it was but didn't one of them do 2+2=5?
yeah you need to know quite a lot of non-trivial mathematics.
d00d, you can't evaluate the time it takes a program to be executed without some basis on number theory.
and by the time you get a REAL CS degree, you'll be taught a lot of math, either from a "math" course or through a CS course.
d00d, you can't evaluate the time it takes a program to be executed without some basis on number theory.
and by the time you get a REAL CS degree, you'll be taught a lot of math, either from a "math" course or through a CS course.
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