<p>I really want to pursue a CS degree and love the career options that follow, and I do like working with computers and technology but I just don't like doing math. I'm taking Algebra and it isn't something that I like doing and I have usually made C's in math from HS to now. </p>
<p>My question is: The CS degree programs require Calc 1/Calc 2, Linear Algebra, and 2 Physics at least. So, would it be a good idea to suck it up and get it done for the overall degree or would it be better to just pursue something else. Also, this is my third year and I've basically done all my basics so this major's math req. would probably add an extra 2-3 years to my college time, right?</p>
<p>Any insight is great, I am currently leaning toward MIS but I would rather go for CS and go back for an MBA later. Thanks.</p>
<p>CS is very math oriented. If you don’t like and aren’t particularly good at math, forget about the general education math prerequisites; you still need discrete math, algorithms and theory, at least… even architecture/systems courses have highly mathematical aspects. I’d stick with MIS.</p>
<p>If you’re required to take discrete math and algorithms, you will quite likely be doing a lot of math. Since you say you don’t like it, it might be a better idea to pursue something else. MIS is certainly an option; it is less math-intensive than CS, and there are people who have transitioned into management roles, even without MBAs. OTOH, you’ll generally be more on the business side of things, dealing with business requirements for various types of data processing, storage, etc., as opposed to being more involved in the creation of computer technology.</p>
<p>Well that definitely answers my question. I think I will stick with MIS and maybe take some more technical courses for the elective spots. It looks like some business math is the most involved in the MIS degree, I think it is Business Math/Business Calc or something like that. </p>
<p>Plus if I want to, I can always go back and get my MBA if I think I need it. Do you guys know where people with MIS degrees usually start out? I have heard programming, help desk, support kind of situations. I think, where I want to end up, is consulting and then eventually a management role and just climb that ladder.</p>
<p>Computer programming is fancy algebra, with a dab of set theory thrown in. “Computer science” is itself a branch of math, and software engineering can be thought of as “applied CS” in the same way mechanical engineering is applied classical physics. While there are plenty of IT-type, Devry-y type of jobs out there that don’t need math chops, all of the interesting (and outsourcing-resistant) work in computers will at least require an ability to reason mathematically.</p>
<p>I suggest studying more computer programming and see if it deepens your ability and appreciation of math. It seems less boring when it’s directly related to something you’re interested in. Heck, I didn’t understand “functions” in math class until I studied a little C. I used to hate math, and I dropped out of my first attempt at getting a CS degree because of my math hatred. I developed an interest in physics, and now I’m back in college majoring in physics and minoring in CS and I LOVE math. Any GOOD computer science curriculum will involve math, especially statistics, discrete mathematics, and numerical methods. If you go to one of those fourth-rate schools that only teaches you how to use Java and .NET to make business apps, well, you’re in for a boring career.</p>
<p>The more math under your belt, the more options in computer science. Want to do anything in computer graphics, like games? Linear algebra, numerical methods, and vector analysis are musts. Want to do anything involving searching or sorting data? Probability and analysis of algorithms.</p>
<p>I definitely have an appreciation for math and it’s uses, but maybe it was because I’ve never had a non-coach math teacher who took the time to teach it properly but I just can’t stand doing it. You’re right though, maybe once I get into programming more I may be interested in it because it will be related to my interests. I don’t care much about video gaming these days, or data storage but I hear that data storage is a big part of the IT world.</p>
<p>I don’t necessarily want to be a full time programmer and build software full time but I do like the idea of creating software and testing it and that kind of thing. I should be more clear about what math I don’t lie and it’s the algebraic math, solving for variables and stuff like that. Other math, like some equations and accounting mathematics I can do. Can I ask, what class or what happened to make you enjoy math a little more? I would love to learn to like math because it is really valuable but I have never liked it or have been very good at it.Another thing that contributed to this was that the algebra classes I took in high school were taught one way but it seems like those methods of doing the problems have either changed or aren’t taught anymore, weird.</p>
<p>My mother tells me that I was aware that addition was commutative when I was four years ago. I think that I was interested in “mathematical things” from a very young age – throwing dice, watching odometers, etc. I read a book called “Realm of Numbers” by Isaac Asimov that introduced me to irrational numbers, complex numbers, infinite sets, and some other things.</p>
<p>Are there things in math that you like to think about, or would you really rather spend the time on something else? I think this is very important. If for some reason, nothing beyond basic mathematical and logical skills (arithmetic, ability to argue a point given some facts, etc.) really grabs you, you shouldn’t feel as if you are being left out. OTOH, you may need a different type of teacher who can inspire you.</p>
<p>Well I’ve never done anything beyond basic math and algebra so I’m not sure but what I have done so far has not interested me whatsoever, not even a little bit. To answer your question, I would definitely rather be doing something else when I am doing math.</p>
<p>My interest in physics grew to the point where I wanted to be able to “do” physics, rather than just read about it in pop science books. I knew math was an important tool for physics, especially calculus and differential equations (and as I found out, linear algebra, vector analysis, blah blah analysis, etc.), so I stopped seeing math as a stupid chore that stood between me and happiness and started seeing it as an important tool. It was because the math was directly applicable to stuff I liked.</p>
<p>To be honest, I think it’s more than just the interest in physics I developed (because after all, I was interested in computer graphics for the longest time and that is also math-heavy), I think it was that I had to mature.</p>
<p>I keep coming back to wanting this degree, I don’t know why but I just do. Can anyone tell me by seeing what I kind of want to do, if there would be any big advantage in having this degree over an MIS kind of degree? The only thing is the math and the fact that it would take longer for me to graduate. Right now I can graduate in 2-3 years but adding those math classes it would be longer because I would only take one math class per semester.</p>
<p>There would be about 5 more math classes at least to take, not including physics or sciences.</p>
<p>Since you don’t like math, the only advantage of getting a CS degree is conditional on whether it would allow you to satisfy your ultimate goals (which you wrote earlier are consulting and management). Certainly, there are people who have done that after earning CS degrees, but there is no guarantee that this would happen for you. Also consider the fact that at least some of these people actually like math, and were/are willing to spend a lot of time on it, and do it well. You will be competing against these people for consulting and management jobs (where a CS background/degree is considered a prerequisite).</p>
<p>There really is nothing wrong with pursuing an MIS degree if that is what really interests you. Although there are exceptions, generally speaking, people do better at things they really enjoy.</p>
<p>To be perfectly blunt, if you are struggling in high school algebra, barring a miraculous pursuit of happiness-esque comeback, you don’t have a shot in hell at finishing any worthwhile computer science program.</p>
<p>Look at it this way: computers are the automation of math.</p>
<p>A CS degree without math is like an architecture degree without math – you’ll be able to draw pretty designs, but you’ll never be able to implement them.</p>
<p>@geo113 in my subjective and biased opinion, that is absolutely terrible advice. Calc 1 is so much more straight forward and basic than the math a CS major needs to take that it’s basically irrelevant. Combinatrica and axiomatic set theory is incredibly theoretical and canbe a challenge for some of the best students. Success in basic intro level math courses is not an indication that you will be successful. A much better indication would be how well you handle the theoretical aspects of linear algebra.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s answers and opinions, blunt is perfectly fine with me. The reason I wanted to go into it further was mainly because all of the advisers I talked to were basically saying the math wasn’t a big deal and that CS had some math classes but didn’t really involve much of it in the actual career. They seem to be clearly wrong and in doing more research, math is all over the fundamentals of computer science. Also, judging my the answers, it is pretty clear. I’ll have to take Calculus regardless but there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of reason for someone who doesn’t enjoy math to get into a career where math is everywhere.</p>
<p>angryelf, I left out the word can’t, so if OP can’t handle calc 1, then the answer is obvious. As for the combinatorics and axiomatic theory, some might find that easier than calculus. I was doing some of that stuff as a kid when they still did bookkeeping by hand. But that was me the crazy kid who messed with numbers.</p>