<p>Let me first preface this question by explaining a little about myself. I am currently a Community College student and will be transferring into the University of South Florida's Engineering department in the Fall. When I transfer, I will be admitted as a Junior and will immediately start working on my upper level computer science courses. I have a 3.9 GPA and have taken all of my GenEd courses, as well as Calc I-II and General Physics I-II. Now on to my Questions. </p>
<p>To meet the hour requirements of my scholarships, and to make sure that I am not held back, I must take following classes in the Fall. </p>
<ol>
<li>Object Oriented Design</li>
<li>Intro to Discrete Structures</li>
<li>Intro to Linear Systems(Linear Algebra for Engineers)</li>
<li>Computer Logic and Design + Lab</li>
<li>Calc III</li>
</ol>
<p>As you can see this course load is heavy in math and I'm a little worried that it may be too much for me. Am I crazy for taking these classes? Will some of the mathematical concepts overlap? i.e Stuff I learn in Linear Algebra can be used in Calc III, or vice versa. Are there any books or websites that I can read to give me a head start on these concepts? Thanks in advance, for any help.</p>
<p>Answer #1: Actually, I am taking Calc III at the Community College, I’m dual enrolling in the fall. </p>
<p>Answer #2: Discrete Structure is a 3000 level class.</p>
<p>Answer #3: Intro to Linear Systems is actually a 4000 level class. In reality I could take Linear Algebra at the community college, and that would replace this class. However, my scholarship at USF requires that I take at least 12 credits at USF each semester. So if I were to take it at the CC, I would need to take an additional class at USF.</p>
<p>Why not take as many of the courses as possible at the community college (calculus 3 and linear algebra at least, though not all community colleges have discrete math), then use the extra schedule space at USF to take free electives (either in or out of major)?</p>
<p>In other words, why use schedule space at USF taking math courses that you could have taken at community college when you could otherwise take an additional CS course, or an additional course in some subject that you may be interested in applying CS to, or any other course available at USF but not at community college?</p>
<p>Suggestion: take calculus III and linear algebra at community college during the summer. Then enroll at USF and take the other courses in your list; fill in the rest of your fall schedule with other courses of interest (or any other needed prerequisite courses for more advanced courses).</p>
<p>I’m sure the OP knows, but for others here, in the Florida State system you can’t take Discrete Structures and Linear Algebra at the Community College level - as he stated, they are both 3000 level classes here.</p>
<p>That being said, there is some overlap between your math classes. Discrete and Linear don’t have a ton of overlap, but they both use a lot of proofs. The proof techniques you learn in Discrete can definitely be used in Linear. Discrete really isn’t that hard. Linear might be slightly more challenging.</p>
<p>But there is good news! There is a very large overlap between Calc III and Linear Algebra. First half of Calc III is basically dealing with vectors, dot product, cross product, determinants, projections. Calc III pretty much restrains it to 3-D space.</p>
<p>Linear covers all of those things too (they are pretty much the backbone of linear). Linear just does it in more depth, on a more abstract level, and with different names and symbols! If you can make the connection between the two it will probably help you a lot. </p>
<p>Calc III then dives into double and triple integrals, which really aren’t difficult.</p>