<p>I'm really wanting to do computer and software engineering, robotics, that kind of thing. My math skills make me scared though. I've always had A's in math, algebra-pre AP pre calculus, but i'm in AP calculus this year and am finding it a little difficult( c's on quizzes, h/w is hard) my SAT math and ACT math are like 600 and 27, so not that great there either. I mainly get good grades in the classes because i study alot, math doesnt just "come to me" like to somepeople.
so, is this major, or any eng. major right for me?
I'm good at physics and chem. (4 on AP chem , taking AP physics this year)</p>
<p>also, i have strong critical thinking and english skills. should i look more into a information systems management career? business? thanks for any info.</p>
<p>i was also kinda sorta wondering this for myself too. its been deep in the back of my mind. the math skills thing. my math skills arnt horrible, ever since high school ive always gotten A's in my math classes. im not a genius at math like some kids, in fact i dont even like it, but it makes enough sense to me for me to get A's.</p>
<p>but im not as worried about it as ramsfan, becuase i got those A's without ever really studing at all. so if i actually studied i would have kicked a$$.</p>
<p>I'd suggest working with your teacher after class. Math is an important part of engineering--I believe you need two+ years of calculus or so, plus advanced sciences & physics. Even if math doesn't come "naturally," you will have to explore what works best for you & it's still early to decide.</p>
<p>Calculus is usually a weed-out class for engineering. At my school you have 3 semesters of it plus Differential Equations and a couple other math electives beyond that. If you have a good professor and a small class size where you can ask questions, it becomes a lot easier. What may help you is if you decide to do engineering, take Calc again in college even if you pass the AP exam. Get extra help whenever you need it. But, a lot of people skid by in classes with Cs and even Ds if allowable...don't let one class derail you from career goals. There is a lot of tutoring options, etc, available.</p>
<p>You may just want to see if a smaller college would be right for you. I go to a very small college and it has suited me well. I was the same way with physics before college. I never "got" physics in high school at all. Loved calculus. Actually ended up getting the same grades in both classes, but had a much better understanding of the math. Got to college and skated by in physics. Had to go to a lot of office hours, tutoring, and study groups with peers. Never needed help in Calculus. Still got higher grades in Calc classes. Two years later I'm doing fine in upper level engineering classes.</p>
<p>Everything doesn't come naturally to everyone. Don't discount a career because it isn't easy.</p>
<p>To be honest, not being good at math for an engineer, it is like not being good at English for a lawyer. </p>
<p>Calculus is the basics, I have taken up to real analysis, and plan to differentials and topology in the future. The real tricky parts of engineering all come down to math.</p>
<p>Sad to say, there are too many attorneys who aren't all that good at English, written and spoken. True, most great attorneys are masters of the written and spoken word.</p>
<p>Also most universities MUST have Calculus 1, 2 & 3 in their programs just be accredited....and you need accreditation to get research funding and to attract the best students and employer.</p>
<p>At my school we're required to do ALEKS. Apparently it's supposed to help you 1-2 full letter grades. </p>
<p>If you aren't familiar with it, you take assessments in different areas and it finds where your skills are weak (or nonexistent). After you've finished the initial assessment, you only work in the areas you're weak in. My Engineering Calculus professor swears by it...and we're required to put in at least 3 hours a week making 6% progress as part of our homework grade.</p>
<p>It's not all that expensive (I think around $34 online?) and seems like a great tool so far. I actually wish I'd known about it in high school so my ACT math scores would have been stronger and math courses (my HS pretty much sucked in the math and science areas) wouldn't have been so useless. </p>
<p>Anyway, if you think Engineering is something you'd like to do, try it out. You can always switch out of Engineering, but it's not such a great thing to try and switch in to.</p>
<p>ramsfan911: If you are not hand-on, then an IT degree, e.g. MIS, in a business school setting may work out better.</p>
<p>My guess is you do like hand-on with technology, don't you? If that is true, don't let a single subject stop you from pursuing engineering in college. Now, there is simply no way to swing this fact: calculus is required in just about every engineering program accredited by ABET. On the bright side, you may find calculus less useful or even needed in your professional career post college. But, to get that degree (and the job), you just need to put in the effort and find ways to learn the subject like everybody else. So, look at it as a challenge (like taking standardized test for some) rather a deal breaker. </p>
<p>If you are into software engineering, you will learn that discrete math and higher math maturity (e.g. understanding and writing math proof) are required. Don't worry about them now, they will teach those as you progress.</p>
<p>I'm going to start getting tutoring for my AP calc. Math has always been the subject I have to work at the most, my SAT is 600 and ACT about 28 (both for math) and i only made A's in math the last couple years because I studied alot. I do really like technology, but I'm starting to wonder if it is more from a consumer's/observational point of view. I love to use the technology, but I'm not sure if I would be the best for creating it. Would the MIS degree consist more along those lines? Also, I am very good at english and creativity is my strong suit.</p>
<p>Consider the Information Systems major at Cox School of Business (one of your safety in the other post). You are exposed to the business aspect of information technologies w/o getting too deeply into the nitty gitty of them. </p>
<p>I have always been bad in math, always hated it, thought it was a joke, though I kept pushing through. I only took up to algebra in HS, they didnt offer much else. When I got to college I has to take intermediate algebra again then had to take pre-calc or trig. I got a C in that, which really sucked, thogh I hated it. </p>
<p>Now that I am in calc and actually see a true use for mathematics, I am actually doing very very good. Calculus is the only math that I have ever understood in detail and somewhat enjoyed.</p>
<p>If your interned major is Computer science or computer engineering, there is no way around it, you need the math. for CS you need Linear Algebra and for CE you really need differential equations.</p>
<p>The math allows you to do some really cool stuff, so dont quit yet.</p>
<p>as for MIS, while its a great major, it is not technical at all. You take 2 basic programming classes and learn how to use excel. Pretty much it. Not worth the time if u are highly technical.</p>
<p>Some schools have Computer information systems which is much more technical, something u may be more interested in.</p>
<p>some other majors that are actually alot more technical compared to MIS are Communications, Media Studys and Informatics.</p>
<p>The best thing about CSE is that while yes it will be hard to graduate, you really dont need to be an engineer there are plenty of companies that will drop to there knees when you apply for an IT position with a computer engineering degree,</p>