<p>Unfortunately you didn’t complete your extensive research into Psych prior to completing your 2 year degree. Perhaps as a Psych major you should do some further self analysis as to your motivations and abilities to ensure that you complete extensive research into CS and EE prior to embarking on this path. I don’t know whether your interest in EE is just pie-in-the-sky dreaming or a realistic option. Take that as an attempt at constructive criticism.</p>
<p>In your 2 year degree you’ve been taking Algebra. Did these courses cover up to pre-Calc, e.g., Trig and Functions or are you at the HS Algebra 2 level of knowledge? Perhaps it would be cost efficient to complete the pre-reqs Calc I-II, Physics etc at the community college. If you do well enough and enjoy an introductory CS class then transfer to the 4 year college and complete your degree. I don’t think you will need to get certificates with a 4 year degree in CS. A good 4 year state university should have plenty of potential employers. Your associates degree in Psych might make you well suited to pursue user-interface or HCI aspects of CS. Good luck and expect to work hard.</p>
<p>Yes, the highest maths I have completed are college algebra and elementary stats. I think that the CS degree is the way to go. Personally, what classes would you focus on taking in computer science that are similar to the prerequisites for EE? Also, I should point out that I’m already taking 2 psychology courses this semester at the 4 year university, but I specifically made sure the classes could be counted towards a minor. So I guess that I could always use the classes for a minor or even elective classes. </p>
<p>@ChrisTKD</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m not trying to make engineering a “pie-in-the-sky” fantasy. It’s just that I am a very “head in the clouds” kind of guy and unfortunately they don’t really have need for philosophers anymore, so therefore I’m thinking that the only other interest that I have would be technology. I hate classic, boring, 9 to 5 jobs.</p>
<p>I thought of transferring to UNF they have a decent engineering program (and cheap). But you don’t have the math for the engineering classes. Honestly I would minor in math. A CS / math minor will give you a lot of different options in terms of what jobs you can get. Take a math class every semester. </p>
<p>You would be better prepared to working in an engineering company than say working for an insurance company on their systems.</p>
<p>IMHO someone who had to retake Intermediate Algebra and thereafter got a C in College Algebra is very likely to struggle with a math minor. Since Calc and calc-based Physics are prereqs for both majors, I’d cross that bridge before making any decisions.</p>
<p>Keep your goals in mind, but I wouldn’t worry too much about either CS or EE until you’ve done up to, and finished Cala and/or Physics (which I’m sure your CC at least provides). A C in College algebra? I mean, Trig would likely be the next class in squence, and I’ve had many people tell me that it can be more difficult than Calc. So, I suggest you buckle down when studying for math tests at least.</p>
<p>Yeah, I understand what you were saying. However, it’s just that I am a person with horrible ADD and if I get really bored with a job, then I will just plain suck at it. I have to do something that I love to do in the end or I will go crazy. </p>
<p>@Lookin4ward</p>
<p>Thanks. However are you saying that if I did a CS major with a math minor that I could possibly be hired by an EE company? I mean most engineering companies want you to have a BS in MechE or ElecE don’t they? However I have looked at a few jobs posted on the internet for engineers and the jobs say under education requirements they say they want someone who has a BS degree in physics, EE, ME, CS, or math so you could be right. </p>
<p>@allyphoe</p>
<p>Bear in mind I took the college algebra class online and there was virtually no instruction. I literally had to teach myself the subject. It was not easy. I will admit that math doesn’t come natural to me, but if I hire a tutor to explain the material to it I can manage to understand it pretty easily. </p>
<p>@Ghostayame</p>
<p>I have to worry about what I am going to major in! They only allow you a certain amount of financial aid and if you screw it up then you’re done! This is a huge decision for me.</p>
<p>If math doesn’t come easily to you, it is unlikely that you will be successful in EE. </p>
<p>CS generally doesn’t require as much math. Do you have programming experience? You might want to look into human factors, a specialty involving both CS and Psychology.</p>
<p>I took my Intermediate algebra online and finished it with an A. There were instructions, just not any from the instructor. I’ve never scored exceptionally well on the math portion of any standardized test, so I can confidently say to you that if you are willing to do the repetitions and all of the steps required for each concept, math shouldn’t be particularly difficult you. I doubt you need to hire a tutor, at my CC and even at the University I plan on transferring to there’s a math tutoring room. Even if there wasn’t, you can get a student with spare time to tutor you in math a bit.</p>
<p>You mite want to consider Computer Engineering (which may or may not be a subsection of EE at your institution), then do EE or CS for grad school.</p>
<p>I’ve also read that it’s quite common for EE’s to be hired as programmers, so you may want to just do EE now, then CS for grad school.</p>
<p>But you have at least until you finish Trig or Precalc before you have the math prerequisites to start either of those BS programs, and I suggest maybe doing Calc at your CC so you an either get the transfer credit or at least be acquainted with the concepts when you take Calc I at CC. Take however long you need to become familiar enough with each concept, because it helpes with each following one.</p>
<p>You say that if I’m not good at math that I will probably suck at EE? Why? I mean, I’m sure they don’t have you do these ridiculously long equations by hand like you do in the classroom in the actual job do they? I’m sure they have instruments that do all the calculations for you? Also, is there any info online that you have on what the typical duties of EE’s are and what a typical day of work is like for them?</p>
<p>I will definitely look into human factor’s engineering as well. That looks interesting.</p>
<p>@Jnelsonmarka: not even as a focus of EE? That sucks then… </p>
<p>Also, I know an EE. Even if you do have to eventually do that stuff on the job, chances are you’ll have to relearn the relevant concepts anyway. However, I think that guy is referring to the EE program, which is very math intensive. Get into the habit of doing as many practice problems as necessary to master each concept.</p>
<p>FYI, I’m an electrical engineering manager, on CC as a parent.</p>
<p>To graduate in engineering requires taking a lot of math and a lot of calculus-based physics. For my degree, I took Calc 1, 2, and 3, plus differential equations, plus 3 semesters of calculus-based physics. Those classes do require the ridiculously long equation handling.</p>
<p>In my day-to-day tasks throughout my engineering career, I don’t do long equations, but I do make use of some of the math I learned. In particular, I have to be able to do mathematical reasoning and intuition.</p>
<p>I’m not so much saying that you couldn’t do the work as EE, but rather that you would be unlikely to be able to earn the BS EE degree if you struggle in math. Lots of people switch from engineering to other majors because they don’t like it, or can’t hack the math.</p>
<p>Well, maybe I should choose another field of engineering that isn’t so tough. Is chemical engineering easier or mechanical even? I’ve heard that EE is the most mathematically inclined form of engineering that you can get.</p>
<p>^ To add to Sacchi’s post, for my degree I had to take not only Calc I/II/II, & DE, but also Engineering Probstats, & Engineering Math (Linear/Matrix algebra + a few other concepts like fourier transforms, etc). Next year EnMath is becoming 2 classes, so the younger students will have even more to take.</p>
<p>Also, a lot of EE core classes are VERY math heavy. In particular, Electromagnetics & Signals/Systems. If you struggled with algebra, I can see why sacchi raised it as a huge red flag for getting a degree in EE.</p>
<p>Oh, I had forgotten about engineering prob/stats - I had to take that one too. It wasn’t in a chain of prerequisites and so much easier than the rest, so easier to forget.</p>
<p>I think pretty much every branch of engineering is math heavy. Since you know the school you will attend, you can easily look at the requirements for each of EE, ME and CE. I would be surprised if they don’t all involve a lot of Calculus, Diff Eq, and calculus based physics.</p>
<p>Have you ever taken a physics class, even in high school? If so, how did you do in it? I think physics is a key make-or-break class for engineers. My physics class in high school is what inspired me to go into EE.</p>
<p>Does your University offer an IT degree? That is much less math intensive, and more hands on than engineering.</p>