I’m starting at elementary algebra in the fall at my community college. I really do want to get into engineering/computer science. I’m willing to take a math class every semester and every summer to get caught up. My question is will I even be able to take engineering courses entry level so that I can transfer on time to Cal State Fullerton? Should I just consider another major?
So how it would work in my community college is
1st year:
Fall - Elementary Algebra
Spring - Intermediate Algebra
Summer - Trig
2nd Year:
Fall - Pre Calc
Spring - Analytic Geometry and Calc 1
Summer - Analytic Geometry and Calc 2
Does engineering require a lot of general ed? I figure I could take all that general ed my first year if these entry level engineering classes require more math.
You’ll be a bit behind the curve, but keep grinding away and you’ll get to where you want to. You won’t likely get our in 4 years, but as long as you can afford it, who cares. Make sure you learn the math well so you build a solid foundation and you’ll be fine. Good luck.
If you took math in high school, you may be able to test out of some of those math classes.
There may be a few lower division requirements like engineering graphics that may not require math prerequisites, but most courses in an engineering curriculum will have a prerequisite sequence leading to calculus 1. Humanities and some social studies breadth courses may not need math, however.
If you have had high school math, you may be able to start in a more advanced course than elementary algebra through placement testing.
I was in the same place. I was severely ill in school and had to drop out.
Anyway, I had to go through elementary algebra and am now in Cal 1.
I took almost all of my general classes. I don’t know how it is in your state, but here you have to do three English classes, government 1 and 2, history 1 and 2 and so many others. I would do the general classes and just work hard in math.
Don’t think just because you’re doing the basics that you can’t do it. Unfortunately it’ll take longer. I had to take 3 math classes before I could take college algebra…
There should be some kind of pre calculus proficiency test. At SDSU (where I’m trying to go) I’m going to take a pre cal test to determine my math placement for aerospace engineering
You might be able to take algebra and geometry at the same time. Many do in high school. You do need to be at a higher level of math than algebra I to take chemistry and physics if those are part of your engineering requirements. You should be able to take the English and history/econ requirements at community college.
How much longer did it take you? I was hoping maybe one semester extra.
If you are asking if you can take engineering courses at CC prior to Fullerton, the answer is probably no. I am not sure if any are even offered at your CC, but my first engineering course required Calc 2 as a prerequisite and I suspect that most majors will have similar requirements. Still, you can check Fullertons requirements - I’m not going to do that for you!
As to whether or not you can graduate on time is going to depend on the major, the specific course requirements, and whether or not you need to repeat any courses. Your issue is prerequisite chains - course A might require course B which might require course C which requires course D and so on and so one. If you finish CC in 2 years and then try to graduate from Fullerton in two more then you only have four semesters to go from your first engineering course to your last. That may well place some electives beyond your reach, but probably not any core courses. It also does not give you much leeway for scheduling problems or repeated classes. More than anything else, it depends on how hard and how well you work - just remember that graduating on time without the classes you want and/or need is not the best path!
Gen ed requirements are usually the same across the university, the only thing different with engineering is that many (or all) of your math and science courses are going to be prescribed by the major. You will still have some humanities and social sciences and whatever else to take.
For both major preparation courses and general education courses, you can use http://www.assist.org to check courses at your CC and other nearby CCs to see what requirements you can complete at CCs before transfer.
For example, if you attend Santa Ana College and want to major in computer engineering at CSU Fullerton, the major preparation course list is shown at http://www.assist.org/web-assist/reportOnly.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&rinst=left&EM=1&sia=SAC&ia=SAC&ria=CSUFULL&oia=CSUFULL&ay=15-16&aay=14-15&dora=COMP=ENG .
To search for Santa Ana College courses fulfilling CSU general education requirements, see http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/tcaAgreement.do?inst2=none&inst1=none&type=csuGe&ia=SAC&ay=15-16 .
There is also an IGETC pattern that is similar to CSU general education; if you complete that pattern and get it certified by your CC, then most CSUs and UCs will consider you to have fulfilled their general education requirements for most majors (but some majors at some campuses may have different general education requirements – CSU Fullerton computer engineering is apparently such a major). IGETC fulfilling courses at Santa Ana College can be looked up at http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/tcaAgreement.do?inst2=none&inst1=none&type=igetc&ia=SAC&ay=15-16