Suck at higher level math, should I stick with computer engineering?

[Rainsford]

Got a question for all you folks. I'm currently a Sophomore in Computer Engineering, and so far it's going well, except for the math. I don't know if my college (Iowa State) just has the worst Math department around or what, but I have had nothing but trouble with math so far. I ended up with a C+ in Calc I, through some twist of fate (and a great teacher) I got an A in Calc II, but I just finished failing my Differential Equations final, and I think I'll end up with a C in there. Needless to say, this has me a little worried. I don't know if I'll need to know all this math for computer engineering (I haven't really used it yet), but if I do, I'm going to be in a little bit of trouble. I was thinking about becoming a computer science major (since I'm done with all the math I'd need for that), and since I am much better at programming than math, but I just took my intro to digital circuits class, and I really liked that stuff too. Since computer engineering is programming and digital circuits, it still seems like a good fit for me, but not if I keep getting punched in the teeth with math. Thing is, I only have Calc III left, and I think I can manage, but if I really need to be good at that stuff, I'm screwed.

So...what does ATOT think (especially you computer engineers out there)? Should I suck it up, get through the math and then forget about it, or would I be much better off as a computer science major? Thanks in advance, you guys will help me out a lot if you can give me some insight, believe me.

 

[notfred]

You're doing fine. You haven't even failed a class yet. If you ever have to do the stuff in the real world, you'l lbe able to use all the calculators and computers you want to compute integrals for you. I think you can handle one more calc class.

 

[OulOat]

WTG? The highest math you have to take for CS is DiffyQ? Damn, here at UIUC we have to go all the way to Probablity.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: OulOat
WTG? The highest math you have to take for CS is DiffyQ? Damn, here at UIUC we have to go all the way to Probablity.

Wuss.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: OulOat
WTG? The highest math you have to take for CS is DiffyQ? Damn, here at UIUC we have to go all the way to Probablity.

Actually if I was CS DiffEq would be a waste. All I'd have to do is Calc II (oh, and a Stats course). Some of the CS courses are taught as "algorithm" courses, which is CS math, but the whole point of those is actually using the math with computers, which I would be just fine at. It's the sitting down with a pencil and paper and a problem that says something like, 3x''+2x'-4x=cos(2x)+u(t-2pi), x(0)=0, x'(0)=1, what is x(2pi)? that I have trouble with. My brain just doesn't work like that. If I can't "see" it, I have trouble doing it.

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: notfred
You're doing fine. You haven't even failed a class yet. If you ever have to do the stuff in the real world, you'l lbe able to use all the calculators and computers you want to compute integrals for you. I think you can handle one more calc class.

Thanks for the encouragement, notfred. That's what I've always thought (about using computers and such), I don't even really understand the point of doing it by hand. I understand why knowing what an integral is is important, but what do I get out of doing complex ones by hand?

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: notfred
You're doing fine. You haven't even failed a class yet. If you ever have to do the stuff in the real world, you'l lbe able to use all the calculators and computers you want to compute integrals for you. I think you can handle one more calc class.

Thanks for the encouragement, notfred. That's what I've always thought (about using computers and such), I don't even really understand the point of doing it by hand. I understand why knowing what an integral is is important, but what do I get out of doing complex ones by hand?

Probably the importance of efficiency when you code the algorithms that do those calculations for you?

 

[yoda291]

Originally posted by: Rainsford

Originally posted by: notfred
You're doing fine. You haven't even failed a class yet. If you ever have to do the stuff in the real world, you'l lbe able to use all the calculators and computers you want to compute integrals for you. I think you can handle one more calc class.

Thanks for the encouragement, notfred. That's what I've always thought (about using computers and such), I don't even really understand the point of doing it by hand. I understand why knowing what an integral is is important, but what do I get out of doing complex ones by hand?

That warm, fuzzy sensation you get when you realize that your hand has gone completely numb

 

[Jfur]

dude, the birthplace of the computer stick with it (seriously)

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Jfur
dude, the birthplace of the computer stick with it (seriously)

Hehe, exactly.

<--- knows many math majors (people in their 30's, early 40's) who became programmers after graduating.

 

[brxndxn]

For Computer Engineering, what's the sequence?

Calc 1 then
Calc 2
Calc 3
Diffy Q
Linear Algebra, then what? I know discrete is somewhere in there

 

[misle]

Really, you're doing fine. No one is born knowing how to do math. We all have to learn it. And for a lot of subjects, it takes time to learn.

Hell, if I'm able to get a C in my Diff Eq. class, I will be very happy. (final in 5 hours, more studying after breakfast. And no, I usually don't get up at 5am...)

 

[Piano Man]

Originally posted by: Rainsford
Got a question for all you folks. I'm currently a Sophomore in Computer Engineering, and so far it's going well, except for the math. I don't know if my college (Iowa State) just has the worst Math department around or what, but I have had nothing but trouble with math so far. I ended up with a C+ in Calc I, through some twist of fate (and a great teacher) I got an A in Calc II, but I just finished failing my Differential Equations final, and I think I'll end up with a C in there. Needless to say, this has me a little worried. I don't know if I'll need to know all this math for computer engineering (I haven't really used it yet), but if I do, I'm going to be in a little bit of trouble. I was thinking about becoming a computer science major (since I'm done with all the math I'd need for that), and since I am much better at programming than math, but I just took my intro to digital circuits class, and I really liked that stuff too. Since computer engineering is programming and digital circuits, it still seems like a good fit for me, but not if I keep getting punched in the teeth with math. Thing is, I only have Calc III left, and I think I can manage, but if I really need to be good at that stuff, I'm screwed.

So...what does ATOT think (especially you computer engineers out there)? Should I suck it up, get through the math and then forget about it, or would I be much better off as a computer science major? Thanks in advance, you guys will help me out a lot if you can give me some insight, believe me.

Well being a former ISU engineering student, I think I speak for all majors when I say that DiffeQ sucks no matter what. Its tough as hell. DiffyQ and Physics II will give you the most grief tehre. They are weed out classes, pure and simple. Most people take those classes multiple times, so don't feel bad. you just have to work your ass off in those classes.

 

[Piano Man]

Oh hey, since you go to Iowa State, how in the hell do I download from Strangesearch?

 

[udonoogen]

there are no girls at higher level math or computer engineering

 

[Gibson486]

all physics in feshman year weeding out classes for engineers. In my school, they were tecahing us how to solve Kenomatics with dervatives and center of mass with integrals. There was one problem though, when they taught the stuff on kenomatics (sp) I had no idea how to do derivatives, and when they taught center of mass, they were telling use to use integrals. I ma gonna take physics 2 starting next quarter, and well, i am scared they are gonna weed me out. It sucks when you go to big school too. They teach you with 150 other kids in teh same room.

 

[Rainsford]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm going to keep going with computer engineering and just suck it up through the rest of the math I have to take.

 

[Ketteringo]

At my school the CS majors (me included) have to take a hullva lot more math than CE majors. In fact, CS majors end up with a minor in Mathmatics because we have to take so many crappy math classes. I am starting my second freshman semester and I have to take Calc 2 and Discreet Mathmatics at the same time :frown::disgust::| Your school must just have very different curriculums than mine!

 

[HazeOfIgnorance]

If you like Computers, Programming and all that sh*t, go with it. I started out in Electrical Engineering, then switched to Comp Sci, since the Math requirements were less. I like you could not get through Calculus. So what's the moral??? Well I hate my job now and I'm bored out of my mind, which is why I'm on this forum answering people's questions. For any of you in college...make sure you like what you do... Don't ever drop something because the work may be too hard. You'll regret it "THE REST OF YOUR LIFE."

At least I'm not bitter....

 

[scorp00]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
For Computer Engineering, what's the sequence?

Calc 1 then
Calc 2
Calc 3
Diffy Q
Linear Algebra, then what? I know discrete is somewhere in there

here's my sequence:
calc 1
calc 2
calc 3
diff q and linear algebra same semester
discrete


I'd suggest to stick with it. You do use some of the math, but when you get to the class the professor will usually refresh your memory real quick with a problem or two. Then rape you with impossibly difficult material.

If it makes you feel any better, I failed Calculus 1 twice. The math department at my university is total crap. I then managed an A or B in every other math class I took there.

In circuits and signals classes you use a lot of math(capacitors, inductors, transforms). So it's good to try to learn it the best you can, but you can always pick it up in the class.

 

[pillage2001]

As long as you're done with D EQ, there's nothing much to worry about except for some complex equations and other laplace transform and what not. Just make sure you can count in binary, hex and octal.

 

[Karaethon1]

I got to UCLA here (computer science and engineering)... since we're on a quarter system, our sequence goes:
1) Calc1 A
2) Calc1 B
3) Calc2 A
4) Calc2 B
5) Linear Algebra
6) Differential Equations
7) Discrete Mathemtaics
8) Engineering Statistics

If you were straight up comp sci, I think you need to take another really hard course... Anyway, I kinda struggle with math a bit as well, but you should just stick with it. From my experience, if you're good with the CS, but bad with math (I just make tons of careless errors in math for some reason), you'll be fine in the long run.

 

[Rainsford]

My math sequence looks like this
1) Calc I
2) Calc II
3) DiffEq
4) Calc III
5) Math Elective

So I guess I shouldn't be complaining too much since it sounds like I'm getting off light compared to some of you. And my math elective is this math/programming course that is about writing programs to solve math problems, so hopefully that will be ok.

 

[Ben50]

Hey nice to see a fellow Iowa State student

As far as math, it sounds like you only had one bad test. Computer Science is my major and I can tell you right now that its not the best time to be a CS major. Check out this email we just got from our advisor.

The news is bad in River City, folks. Of the 33 Com Sci seniors slated to graduate this Saturday, December 21, only six have received job offers. The mean starting salary for the Fall ?02 grads is $40,333. The high is 46,000 for a senior going to work in Rochester, Minnesota with Kingland Systems. The low is $34,000 ( for two seniors who will be working part-time?I calculated their hourly salary over 40 hours a week for 50 weeks)

 

[CrazyDe1]

math only gets you through the signals and EM classes...once you get to useful crap like embedded design its worthless