Diff Eq vs Linear Algebra

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hey guys, freshman CS major here. For my degree, I need to take a class in Linear Algebra and some other upper division math classes of my choice. I already meet all the prereqs for the Linear Algebra class, and I am currently in calc 3 which would have me reach all the prereqs for Diff EQ. I feel that diff eq should be taken immediately after calc (if this is not so, please let me know), so it would make sense to take it next semester, correct? My next semester I am definitely taking 2 comp sci classes, so should I take both diff eq and linear algebra in addition for 13 hours (diff eq is 4 hours rather than 3), or should I take the 2 comp sci classes, 1 of the maths, and then 2 other random 3-hour classes I need for degree requirements for 15 hours? Thank you for any help!</p>

<p>Just in case this question comes up, I am not sure on a career path within comp sci yet, so I think taking diff eq at some point would be good just to be on the safe side. Please inform me if I'm mistaken.</p>

2

<p>If you need them both, take them both. They actually have some overlap and I feel like taking linear algebra has helped DiffEq.</p>

<p>They are, in my opinion, completely different math classes. Linear Algebra is more abstract and fuzzy while DiffEq seems to be much more procedural.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn’t recommend taking them both at once if possible. I took Diff Eq first and then linear algebra, and linear algebra was easy. Which ever one you take first will seem more difficult because they have similar concepts.</p>