Why do I have to take calculus for a software engineering degree?

[jread]

I don't see the point. Unless you're writing code for scientific programs, etc. it seems that most programming/development never goes above basic algebra as far as math goes. I can see why an physics or computer science major needs higher math, but not someone who is going to do application development.

What am I missing here?

 

[Kaervak]

It's probably that college's particular requirement. Hell I have to take English and Math placement tests for my EMT-Basic training eventhough I don't have to take English or Math classes.

 

[michaels]

Part of a broader higher education, it also develops critical thinking skills.

 

[Aharami]

build foundation

 

[zebano]

1. Quit whining
2. The majority of time in application development is understanding your requirements. Having a broader base of knowledge (especially something like calc. that underlies many scientific discilines) is a bonus.

 

[BigJ]

Conceptual and to get you to think in a different way.

When you have to take a Proofs class (that shows you why and how even the most basic algorithms work), you'll understand why.

 

[jagec]

Going through college without taking calc is like going through high school without taking algebra, IMHO.

 

[bignateyk]

For the same reason you have to take english and other stuff. They want to make sure anyone in an engineering or science field has a broad background. Besides, calc 1 is easy. Hell, 2 and 3 were easy as well.

 

[jhayx7]

Originally posted by: bignateyk
For the same reason you have to take english and other stuff. They want to make sure anyone in an engineering or science field has a broad background. Besides, calc 1 is easy. Hell, 2 and 3 were easy as well.

Calc makes my head hurt. Some people are just better at math than others. Engrish is my best subject.

 

[BrownTown]

Calculus is like a basic building block for all fields. You deffinitgely need to understand calculus to be a good programmer. Actually what is even more important is linear algebra, I'd be ammazed if you didnt have to take calculus and linear algebra to get a CS degree. Personally I use calculus and linear algebra every day in pretty much all my college classes including the CS classes.

I can understand if you ask why you need to learn partial differential equations and such for a CS degree, but like a previous person said, going through college, epecially in a technical field without learning calculus is just criminal. It really is like going through high school and not knowing algebra, calculus is a basic foundation needed to understand pretty much every real world process.

 

[Deeko]

If you don't want to take gen. ed classes for your college degree, then switch to a two-year tech school and get an associates degree.

/thread

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: jread
I don't see the point. Unless you're writing code for scientific programs, etc. it seems that most programming/development never goes above basic algebra as far as math goes. I can see why an physics or computer science major needs higher math, but not someone who is going to do application development.

What am I missing here?

Computer SCIENCE. Enough said. BTW, if you can't do Calculus, you can't do comp sci.

 

[acemcmac]

Clep it.

I know that might sound strange... to take an exemption test for a subject you suck at, but believe me... it's way easier than the class.

 

[Kadarin]

I'd just suck it up and do it. Calculus, from what I remember, wasn't all that hard.

 

[BrownTown]

From what I took, basic calculus is pretty easy, and multivariable calculus is even easier since all you di is that exact same thing as regular calculus, but just more times. Solving differential equations were the things that confused me at an actuall concept level as oppsoed to calculus where its just making sure to get the math right. Laplace transforms are your friend though, I love me some Laplace transforms, make life so much easier.

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: sdifox
Computer SCIENCE. Enough said. BTW, if you can't do Calculus, you can't do comp sci.

Again, I'm not getting a CS degree. S.E., at least where I'm going, is much less theoretical than C.S. and more about the software development process.


A question to the others... is Calculus better or worse than Algebra? I didn't think Algebra was hard, but I did think it was painfully boring and hated every second of it. On the other hand, I took statistics over the summer and came out with a 98 average. It was actually fun to me.

The reason I ask is that many people tell me that Calculus is more enjoyable than Algebra.

 

[ValkyrieofHouston]

calculus is used in every branch of the physical sciences, in computer science, in statistics, and in engineering; in economics, business, and medicine; and as a general method whenever the goal is an optimal solution to a problem that can be given in mathematical form.

 

[pinion9]

Originally posted by: jread

Originally posted by: sdifox
Computer SCIENCE. Enough said. BTW, if you can't do Calculus, you can't do comp sci.

Again, I'm not getting a CS degree. S.E., at least where I'm going, is much less theoretical than C.S. and more about the software development process.


A question to the others... is Calculus better or worse than Algebra? I didn't think Algebra was hard, but I did think it was painfully boring and hated every second of it. On the other hand, I took statistics over the summer and came out with a 98 average. It was actually fun to me.

The reason I ask is that many people tell me that Calculus is more enjoyable than Algebra.

I liked calculus, discrete and linear all much more than I liked algebra, although algebra is just fine (just boring at times.)

I have my B.S. in CS and am going for MS in S.E. Trust me, take the calculus and also some discrete math and an analysis of algorithms class. You will be better for it.

Actually, for my MS degree electives, I took all but one of the required courses for CS (I couldn't fit the last class in with work schedule, so I actually switched degrees so I can graduate.)

 

[bignateyk]

Originally posted by: ValkyrieofHouston
calculus is used in every branch of the physical sciences, in computer science, in statistics, and in engineering; in economics, business, and medicine; and as a general method whenever the goal is an optimal solution to a problem that can be given in mathematical form.

++

What if you want to get into a higher level management position at some point? Any kind of advanced economics and statistics relies HEAVILY on calculus. It isnt just used to solve obscure science problems. I'm sure you will come to realize how much you truly need calculus once you get into your senior level classes.

Throughout my undergrad, there was always stuff we had to learn in our intro classes like different sequences and series, thermodynamics, fluids, relativity, etc.. that I would think to myself "i'll never see this sh!t again.. no need to learn it that well"

Then, in one of my senior level EE classes, BOOM, there it was.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: jread
I don't see the point. Unless you're writing code for scientific programs, etc. it seems that most programming/development never goes above basic algebra as far as math goes. I can see why an physics or computer science major needs higher math, but not someone who is going to do application development.

What am I missing here?

I don't know what I don't know so it's hard to say that taking calculus would not have helped me in one of my programming issues. To my knowledge, it wouldn't have, but the majority of my area (data processing) involves hardly any math (for me it is mostly string processing). If I were doing 3D game engines that's another whole story. I'm not sure if calculus would do much for that but geometry/trigonometry would. I'd like to take calculus just to keep my mind on the right track (thinking logically). Most people can do programming without knowing any calculus. As long as you think logically you're all good (unless you want to develop advanced algorithms involving cutting-edge math but that's quite a niche). I'll put it this way: you can make tons of programs without knowing even geometry. It really depends what area you're going into. It's good to have extra education should you ever come across a point where you do need it, and it helps you think logically.

 

[SampSon]

If you don't understand now, you will in a couple years.

 

[Howard]

ahaha

 

[brandonbull]

I think even a Basket Weaving degree requires calculus. Stop crying and take the class. I think Universities have C.S. as part of the Engineering School so the core math classes will be more advanced.

In a few years after school, you will forget all about it.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: jread
A question to the others... is Calculus better or worse than Algebra? I didn't think Algebra was hard, but I did think it was painfully boring and hated every second of it. On the other hand, I took statistics over the summer and came out with a 98 average. It was actually fun to me.

The reason I ask is that many people tell me that Calculus is more enjoyable than Algebra.

You'll use a lot of algebra in calculus. Especially if you have to take Calc 2 or 3.

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: jread
I don't see the point. Unless you're writing code for scientific programs, etc. it seems that most programming/development never goes above basic algebra as far as math goes. I can see why an physics or computer science major needs higher math, but not someone who is going to do application development.

What am I missing here?

Nothing, but you have to go to a crappy school if you don't want to take Calculus.