<p>I am currently majoring in mechanical engineering. My college has the following required math courses for this major:
-Calc I
-Calc II
-Differential Equations
I feel that I also need linear algebra and Calc III. My school does offer linear algebra but not Calc III. How essential is Calc III? Will it keep me from being a competitive engineer when applying for jobs? Should I transfer to a school that requires more rigorous math courses?
p.s: Im currently a freshman and plan on taking Linear Algebra as an elective on my fourth sem. </p>
<p>Your school doesn’t even offer multi variable calculus? You may or may not need it for a job, but regardless of that, for you to really learn the later ME topics you will need multi variable calculus. It throws into question the entire rest of that program. Is it even ABET accredited? Is this a true ME degree or MET? I’d transfer.</p>
<p>It is ABET accredited. I could post my entire program but it might be too lengthy. By the way, what is the difference between single and multi variable calculus? </p>
<p>Single variable calculus concerns functions that depend on one independent variable. Multivariable calculus is about functions depending on multiple variables, e.g. f(x) vs. f(x,y,z). In other words, partial derivatives, multiple integrals and vector calculus.</p>
<p>Maybe instead of the normal three course sequence of Calculus your school puts everything into two courses?</p>
<p>What topics are covered in each course?</p>
<p>As far as linear algebra is concerned you can learn everything you need to for school on the fly really. the stuff you will routinely use really isn’t that hard. DiffyQ has a bit of matrix algebra in it as well if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>Taking a full linear algebra class is still preferable to self-teaching most of the time though, particularly if you intend to do any kind f computer programming on numerical methods. It is a required course in many programs.</p>
<p>Throughout Lake Jr.'s engineering school application experience, not once did we see an ME or Ch-E Department that did not require Calc III (Multivariable). On the other hand, Linear Algebra is a requirement at about 30% of the schools he considered. We came to understand that a lot of higher level mathematics is covered in courses typically called 'Numerical Methods" at many engineering departments.</p>