<p>Would this work out? Does one have to love math/be goo at it to do well as a CS major? The only CS related experience I have was web design, making websites. I did realize that there was a bit of math involved, but it is presented in such a way that it didn't feel like I was using math. I understand just a little bit of PHP, some CSS, and HTML.</p>
<p>I am starting to learn C and I do see what I think are some math concepts, but again they aren't presented in the traditional classroom way that I tend to struggle with. I figure that these concepts will probably get more complex as I learn other languages, but I'm guessing/hoping it will be the same format?</p>
<p>It is kind of like the math is in there but I don't notice it/associate it with the "math" I have in mind, where I am sitting down solving problems I don't understand.</p>
<p>I really have a passion for the little bit of coding related stuff I know and I want to sreiously learn more about it and get a job related to something in the computer science field. </p>
<p>I haven't even taken calculus. I know some colleges have much less or more math requirements and I figure if I have no other option I will just get a tutor for math classes if I end up in a program that requires that (though I'm aiming not to do so) but I want to know:</p>
<p>does one have to be very good at math to do well majoring in computer science? Does anyone have any personal experience on this matter? </p>
<p>If you have a passion for programming, math will not get in the way. Practically used, you are correct that CS uses math in different ways. However, you will have to take traditionally styled math classes to earn a CS degree. This shouldn’t be the main deterrent from CS if you like coding.</p>
<p>CS is about logical problem solving. While math can be important in places such as discrete structures, superior skills in logical problem solving will be much more important. One of the factors that perpetuates the CS/Math relationship is that often, those with good logical problem solving excel at math as well because of the skill overlap.</p>
<p>To me, it sounds like CS is your game. You may have to bear through some math classes academically and should obviously try to absorb them as best as possible, but it is perfectly okay to be relatively weak in math and will not directly correlate to bad CS skillsets.</p>
<p>Unless you found yourself consistently flunking math in high school, it shouldn’t be a major worry.</p>
<p>CS major degree programs commonly require calculus, linear algebra, and discrete math. Discrete math is the course most applicable to CS. Engineering-based CS majors typically require multivariable calculus and differential equations as well. CS theory courses in algorithms and complexity are much like math courses. Some areas of CS, like cryptography and graphics, need to apply specific additional areas of math to solve their problems.</p>
<p>As noted previously, the logical thinking skills that make people good at CS are similar to the logical thinking skills that make people good at math.</p>
<p>What ucbalumnus said is quite true. Discrete math is what is applied to most computer science problems and I assure you it’s not like any of the math you have encountered in previous studies. Discrete math is more concerned with logic and graphics than conventional math.</p>
<p>But while many skills are transferrable between math and CS, I would not say that one has to be good at math to be good at CS, or that a good mathematician is bound to be good at CS. The core to CS is still logic and problem solving mind set, which is not really equal to math scores. So as long as you are passionate about CS, your only problem should be the math requirement of a B.S degree.</p>
<p>In your case, PHP and HTML are basically web page design stuff right? As far as I know if you wish to become a web designer, math is not as important as specific design courses, art courses and data structure courses. CS has many branches; you might need a lot of statistics if you go machine-learning, a lot of EE if you do robotics and a lot of math if you do theoretical CS. For you? You might consider an art/CS approach and that is quite different from the socially recognized CS experience. Do research at different colleges and see if there are programs that suit you. I know CMU offers such degree in CS and Arts.</p>
<p>Good luck with your college application!</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who answered, I now feel more comfortable/confident in sticking with this choice. </p>
<p>@PengsPhils I hope I won’t flunk math courses, I think with the right professor and amount of effort I will be able to get through it…in HS I actually did flunk algebra once, but passed very well the next year I took it, and with the same teacher too. Albeit though the first time I took it, my whole attitude about school was very immature and different from who I am today. </p>
<p>Thank you for the encouragement! I’ll try my best to take what I can from the math class(es) I will most likely have to take, even a BA degree in CS has some math requirements I think, because it seems all college have general education requirements. </p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Thank you very much for explaining what types of math are used!! And for pointing out that some CS degrees can be focused on things like engineering.</p>
<p>@Keepyourshirton Thanks for your response! After reading your response and others I feel so much more secure with this. I actually had not thought about combining some kind of art degree/approach to my CS degree but I did have in mind to take art-related electives, because I did have in mind to focus strongly on web page design stuff, yes. I don’t want do do too much mechanical stuff like robotics. </p>
<p>Thank you again everybody, it really, really helped me out! </p>