<p>This question is pretty simple, and I've talked to some people before that have asked this before (not here). Are you truly behind (to an extreme) if you didn't take very much math in high school and want to be an engineer?</p>
<p>I took two semesters of algebra and one of geometry before I dropped out (I explained the dropping out in another thread)</p>
<p>I understand that, compared to other people, I didn't take very much math in high school, but can that not be made up for in college?</p>
<p>These are the math classes that I will have taken by the time I'm finished with college (Some I've taken/am taking, some I will take later):</p>
<p>Professional Mathematics (Ended up being mainly statistics)
Applications in Algebra
Applications in Trigonometry
Concepts and Applications of Mathematics (University requires two CT courses, so I chose this and I've already taken another)
Pre-calculus with Science Applications
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2
Introduction to Higher Mathematics
Calculus with Analytic Geometry 3</p>
<p>Those classes make up the math minor along with what is required for the engineering major, and some I'm taking just because.</p>
<p>Forgot to add:</p>
<p>Differential Equations
Applied Statistics</p>
<p>I’m not really sure how you can be “behind” in any class in college. I’m 24 and graduated in 2006, but just started college in Spring 2011.</p>
<p>I started with college algebra → Trig → Pre-Cal → Cal I and now I’m in Cal II.</p>
<p>If your math skills aren’t at college level then they’ll stick you in developmental math class untill you pass out or test out of it. Atleast that’s how my community college is.</p>
<p>I mean it’s not like you’ll be in a class with Calculus-ready students if you don’t qualify. There’s no race in college; no one is ahead or behind. It’s self paced. A 40 year old can be in college for a 2nd degree or one might be pursuing a degree 1st time and be in your math class.</p>
<p>I started in algebra took precalc over the summer and am now in calc 1. I feel I have an advantage over those who have not seen some of material you learn in those classes in a few years. It is not a race and you need to take the time to learn whatever will make you successful in your future math classes. Taking summer courses will also help you catchup quicker.</p>
<p>The only way you’ll be “behind” is if your school expects a certain level of math skill from their freshmen/sophomores in your non-math classes, and you aren’t there yet. I think by your sophomore year you should hopefully be taking calculus. Integrals and derivatives are really important concepts in physics, so it’s important to be very familiar with those things once you start taking thermo, fluids, etc.</p>
<p>You might be “behind” in the sense of “can’t complete all of the degree requirements in 8 consecutive semesters of full-time study.” But if your goal is to get a degree, and not necessarily to get that degree in a certain time frame, there’s no such thing as “behind,” because it’s not a race.</p>
<p>Completing the program in 8 semesters isn’t a strict goal for me. I’d rather take my time and get better grades, even if that means only taking 12-14 credit hours at a time instead of 17-19.</p>
<p>Thanks for the answers. I have a somewhat related question. It’s related to math, anyway.</p>
<p>I think I want to get my masters degree in the future at WVU. I’ll be at Marshall University for my BSE because it’s only 15 minutes away from my house and it’s ABET accredited. Plus they’re adding more programs; More on that in this link if anyone’s interested:</p>
<p>[Marshall</a> University receives large gift pledge for Engineering Complex](<a href=“http://www.marshall.edu/pressrelease.asp?ID=2775]Marshall”>http://www.marshall.edu/pressrelease.asp?ID=2775)</p>
<p>WVU’s graduate page in Aerospace and Mechanical engineering both say the following is required as part of the master’s degree program:</p>
<p>"The plans of study for the M.S.A.E. (or M.S.M.E) degree must include six semester hours of advanced mathematics beyond a first course in differential equations… "</p>
<p>I’m wanting to know if it’s possible to take two advanced mathematics courses as an undergrad at Marshall that will go towards the master’s program at WVU. If it helps, here’s a list of the entire spectrum of mathematics courses Marshall offers. I’m not sure what classes I would be required to take if this would work.</p>
<p>[Current</a> Course Offerings - Mathematics - Marshall University](<a href=“http://www.marshall.edu/math/courses.asp]Current”>http://www.marshall.edu/math/courses.asp)</p>
<p>Generally you can’t count any classes for both undergrad and grad degrees. This applies to if you’re either staying at your current school or going to a different one. Odds are they might waive specific classes and just require you take advanced math classes of your choosing.</p>
<p>They wouldn’t necessarily be counted toward my undergrad degree, though, or does that count? Since it would be two advanced math classes beyond Dif. Equations, they’re not required to be taken as an undergrad like all of the others. But if I took them anyway (Considering I’ll be taking my time as it is), could it count toward grad school or no? Or if this something I should contact the schools about later when I reach that point?</p>
<p>I’d wager they won’t let you transfer the credits, but you might get really lucky.</p>
<p>Two classes beyond a first in Diff EQ is probably going to be something like complex analysis and PDEs. A linear algebra class is probably a good bet for you to take at sometime, too.</p>
<p>“I understand that, compared to other people, I didn’t take very much math in high school, but can that not be made up for in college?”</p>
<p>It depends on why you are behind. If you don’t like math, then I would suggest something other than engineering. Sure, you could make it through all the math classes by the time you graduate, but you might prefer a root canal.</p>
<p>Physics at a good engineering college requires calculus (or concurrent enrollment in calculus). Let’s say you don’t get to calculus until your Junior year. Then, you can’t take Physics until your Junior year. Most of your engineering classes will have physics and calculus as requirements. That means you can’t start your engineering classes until your senior year? That isn’t going to work.</p>
<p>If you want to graduate in 4 years, you should be in a position to take Calculus as soon as you start college.</p>
<p>@OperaDad</p>
<p>I do like math, a lot actually. I just haven’t had the chance to make it that far into math yet. I’m expecting to take Calculus 1 my second semester at the University, which would be Spring of next year. Also, I don’t mind not graduating in 4 years. I don’t plan on graduating in 4 years, so it wont come as a surprise to me. I want to be thorough and learn as much as possible and that’s more important to me than getting it done fast.</p>
<p>@RacinReaver
It doesn’t look like Linear Algebra is a requirement; just Dif. Equations. However, the school does offer Linear Algebra, so maybe I’ll take it anyway.</p>
<p>I would say Linear Algebra should be put in your category of must haves unless you absolutely don’t have time for it. I can’t imagine someone going for a math minor not taking this class.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar spot. I saw long division for the first time this spring, took college algebra this summer, and am now taking precalc. </p>
<p>It was hard at first, and I am a couple semesters behind in terms of graduating, but the whole point of not letting us take calculus yet is so we won’t be too far behind in terms of skills.</p>
<p>Taking algebra at a community college, I was by far the least prepared. I’d worked maybe 20 linear equations prior to the class, so it was kind of a sh1tstorm, and frustrating to watch as other people dumber than me effortlessly got good grades in material they had spent 3 years with already. But I ended the summer with the best grade in the class, because I outgrinded everyone.</p>
<p>Similarly, I had never seen trig prior to 3 weeks ago, while the rest of my class mostly took at least half a year of it in HS. Things are tough again (as we speak I’m waiting to see if I was able to pull out a B on my first test), but I am confident that I can outgrind the class again. </p>
<p>I’m pretty early in this thing, earlier than you really. So I don’t know much, but I do know that the math thing really just sets us back as many semesters of math classes as we are behind. It will be a year or two before I don’t fell like most students have some prior math/science education that I didn’t have access to, but it seems like the whole point of the placement tests is to avoid situations where it’s not workable, which is really all we can ask.</p>
<p>@aGGieENGiNeeR</p>
<p>I’ll be able to take Linear Algebra. I’ll squeeze it in there, even if it means graduating a semester later. I’ve seen it said many times on here that it’s either required or should be required for an engineering student.</p>
<p>@PoppinBottlesMGT
It sounds like we are in a similar boat. I agree, I may be a little further ahead than you. It sounds like you’re doing great. We both may be a little behind compared to the majority of HS graduates who did their work, but I have no doubt that either one of us, or anyone else, can crawl out of this hole if we work at it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah, the thing I understand is that effort is what’s most important at this level. Like, my CC likes to boast that the graduates who come out of our program and transfer to Georgia Tech do better than students who start at Tech in the first place. While that is hilariously unlikely, I certainly don’t doubt that they do well. But I’m sure it has nothing to do with how awesome of a CC it is, and everything to do with that fact that we are on average kind of old and focused. I know there is this mood where people like to brag about how little work they have to do to get by, which I used to find really tempting, and is pure poison if you can’t really handle it. But as a 26y/o dropout/high-functioning illiterate, I am too embarrassed to get involved with that, and I see very little of it among our breed. That’s like our one card to play, and I plan to wear mine around my neck like a press pass, until I burn out or graduate.</p>
<p>That statistic is almost certainly correct. CC or GAtech, most of the weeding happens in year 1. Those that make it to GAtech successfully are those that have already passed the weeding process.
Basically, it’s because the best of the CC go on, and the rest fail before they can transfer. That’s not to bash the CC, but that fact alone can explain that their statistic is probably pretty spot-on.</p>
<p>Well, the stat is supposed to be about juniors and seniors who took their previous classes at the respective schools, so I’m not sure what exactly the base it on, but whether or not it’s technically accurate, my point there is the same as yours, which is just that clearly Georgia Tech is a better school and CC, and people who got straight into Georgia tech are on the whole smarter than 26y/o dropouts who managed to get B’s in Freshman comp. and Calculus.</p>
<p>The goal is to complete the requirements for the degree. If it takes 4.5 or 5 years, then fine. Employers geneually do not care if one used 5 years to graduate instead of 4 years.</p>