<p>I came into college as an English major but decided to try and shoot for a tougher major. The majority of these involve the Calc sequences.</p>
<p>Long story short, I've been reading that Calc II is considered a "weeder" course by some and am taken aback. The material is not that difficult with a little practice and a little thinking, yet a lot of people in my class struggle, as well as apparently many other students.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to make myself look like Mr. Amazing Genius here for finding simplicity in lower level math, but could the enjoyment of this class be a sign that I am cut out for a math degree, something I've considered but always thought I wasn't good enough for?</p>
<p>I don’t think you should judge whether something is possible just by looking at success/failure in part of a lower level calc sequence. You are right, it isn’t that hard, but for a lot of people infinite series are very abstract and difficult. I would say that if you enjoy the math, then keep on going with it. It is a good major.</p>
<p>Math major degree programs typically do not have a lot of courses, so you could conceivably double major in math and English. Or at least take the freshman and sophomore courses leading to both majors and then decide later to drop one or downgrade one to a minor.</p>
<p>But if you like math and are good at it, there is a good chance that a math major (or something related like statistics, computer science, or economics with math) is a good choice for you. Note, however, that junior and senior level math courses tend to emphasize proofs and derivations more, which may be different from freshman calculus. If there are more proof oriented honors courses available for your sophomore level math courses, you may want to consider them for a taste of what math at the junior and senior level will be like.</p>
<p>Math and other majors that are more math oriented do tend to have better job and career prospects than most majors that are less math oriented.</p>
<p>You should also take some of the more abstract courses, like linear algebra and analysis before you make a firm decision. Most of the maths you’ll be taking later in a mathematics major is very different from calculus, and you may find you dislike it.</p>
<p>Currently I’ve been doing a CS track for the last two quarters. I loved last quarter with being introduced to programming, and but this quarter I’m quickly learning what I like and what I don’t. I enjoyed programming with C a LOT, but in the last few weeks we’ve been getting into the nitty gritty with memory and the sort, and it’s been a chore. I’ve also taken physics this quarter which I absolutely cannot stand, although that might be due to me taking 3 technical courses with little preparation beforehand and an upper division English course.</p>
<p>Our school does offer a Mathematical Sciences B.S. which my school says is an applied math degree. I’d be more interested in this track because I’d like to get a job after college (although I would not be against furthering my education).</p>
<p>As for math vs. CS, I think I’d rather hone my skills at math, rather than be in a track that has me dealing with math, a few more quarters of physics, and about a 40 unit difference with core classes.</p>
<p>Again, thanks for all the insight in this thread, it’s been extremely helpful, and motivational. :)</p>
<p>Well you have to ask yourself what exactly do you want to do with your mathematics degree? Are you planning on teaching high school? Do you want to work in the finance field as an analyst? Do you want to go more into the computer route?</p>
<p>I’m not sure. That’s why I’d like to major in something a little more open ended like math, rather than computer science. I’d like to end up doing something with business down the line, but I also wouldn’t object to something dealing more with computers.</p>