Terrible in math, is CS right for me?

henz0 said:
I'd really love to major in computer science, but I suck in Math

Should i go for it, or am i already doomed?
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Learn the math, or as I like to call it, applied math (the only real math undergrad CS students seem to actually do is theory of computation.)

Almost all the good and interesting jobs of the future will (or should imo) require knowledge of elementary mathematics (note in this context elementary mathematics is all undergrad and some grad level math.)

Now I see a lot of people discussing calculus as if that is relevant for CS majors. I do not see how it is unless you are doing numerical analysis type stuff (games, simulations, etc...). But the calc sequence does get you into and ready for more abstract mathematics. Discrete math, number theory and abstract algebra and even statistics would be more ideal math classes for a serious computer science buff.

Keep in mind that I only have a CS minor, and I only worked as a C# programmer for 2 years while I was still finishing my undergrad so my experiences may not be an accurate reflection of what is needed in a lot of industry jobs.
 
1 said:
Now I see a lot of people discussing calculus as if that is relevant for CS majors. I do not see how it is unless you are doing numerical analysis type stuff (games, simulations, etc...). But the calc sequence does get you into and ready for more abstract mathematics. Discrete math, number theory and abstract algebra and even statistics would be more ideal math classes for a serious computer science buff.
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I don't think 99% of the CS jobs out there will use much of anything that you learn in calculus (although it's good stuff to know anyways), but most CS degree programs require at least one semester (if not two or more) of calculus regardless. For my degree, I needed 2 semesters of calc, 1 semester of discrete math and one semester of linear algebra and differential equations, on top of all the CS-specific theory. The vast majority of my department graduated with dual degrees in math and CS just because it was so easy to add a few more courses and get another degree.
 
Lord Nassirbannipal said:
I'm not good at nor do I enjoy doing any math beyond intermediate algebra, so I chose to go into IT/Networking rather than computer science.

Also, like Shadowsong, it fit me better because I enjoy working with and administering hardware, software, networking, virtualization, etc. The program I'm in only requires three math classes. I took the first one, tested out of the second one, and I'm taking the final one right now. Luckily, I get along well with the instructor from the first class, so he's helping me with this one via tutoring.

But for me, it wasn't just the math, it was also the courses, the material, and where I wanted to go with the degree. I would much rather be a systems/network administrator than a programmer, and I like working more hands on with hardware, software(usage), networking, and security than I do with with the tedium and the meticulous and frustrating nature of programming and coding.
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what school do you go to?
 
ikari303 said:
I don't think 99% of the CS jobs out there will use much of anything that you learn in calculus (although it's good stuff to know anyways), but most CS degree programs require at least one semester (if not two or more) of calculus regardless. For my degree, I needed 2 semesters of calc, 1 semester of discrete math and one semester of linear algebra and differential equations, on top of all the CS-specific theory. The vast majority of my department graduated with dual degrees in math and CS just because it was so easy to add a few more courses and get another degree.
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Yeah. Most colleges require at least Calc 1&2.

I chased after a CS degree for ages. I was "good" at math as a high school kid, but I learned that I really wasn't good at math any more once it hit Calc 2 and three-dimensional calc stuff in Calc 3.

I am bailing out as my minor and real love (history) found its may to be my dual-major...and now my main major (my minor will be Computational Mathematics...basically CS + calc...the remnants of my CS/engineering start).

I wouldn't advise chasing CS if you're not good at math. Stick with CIS or one of the other blended business / computer type degrees.
 
Programming does use a lot of math, to make stuff faster, some math calculations need to be using more advance formulas because those end up faster.

However i think depends on what your programming job is it isnt always just on math but more on logic.
 
i am terrible in math and got a computer engineer degree. Had to retake each math course twice. Now finding a job is a different matter.
 
Loctus said:
i am terrible in math and got a computer engineer degree. Had to retake each math course twice. Now finding a job is a different matter.
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+1.

Low GPS + CE degree = very hard time finding a decent job.
 
If you meant GPS, then you should get a Garmin and finding anyplace you want to go will be easier.

If you meant GPA, then I can't agree. I've never considered an employee's education history or GPA when making a hiring decision. They usually give me everything I need when I ask technical questions or do a programming exercise. A candidate's GPA tells me nothing that correlates to their success in the professional arena; other issues, such as team fit, coding skill, and experience, are all easily gaged with some simple questions.
 
mikeblas said:
If you meant GPS, then you should get a Garmin and finding anyplace you want to go will be easier.

If you meant GPA, then I can't agree. I've never considered an employee's education history or GPA when making a hiring decision. They usually give me everything I need when I ask technical questions or do a programming exercise. A candidate's GPA tells me nothing that correlates to their success in the professional arena; other issues, such as team fit, coding skill, and experience, are all easily gaged with some simple questions.
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I think we had this discussion before ;)

In a perfect world... all hiring managers would be like you.
 
mikeblas said:
If you meant GPS, then you should get a Garmin and finding anyplace you want to go will be easier.

If you meant GPA, then I can't agree. I've never considered an employee's education history or GPA when making a hiring decision. They usually give me everything I need when I ask technical questions or do a programming exercise. A candidate's GPA tells me nothing that correlates to their success in the professional arena; other issues, such as team fit, coding skill, and experience, are all easily gaged with some simple questions.
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I don't know who started this trend of including your GPA in your resume, but I thought it was pointless as it doesn't tell me anything other than you know how to "ace" a class, which we all know that could be either too easy or too hard depending on the teacher and not even the class itself.

But these GPA does help get your resume pass HR scrutiny, you know those guys that doesn't know anything about IT.
 
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