<p>I currently am very interested in majoring in Computer Science. I particularly like computers and technology, as well as the problem solving aspects that come with programming and theory in general. The only thing that that really scares me about CS is the math. I'm not bad at math, and I actually like it to a decent extent. However, I will have only completed Pre-Calculus (with good grades) by the time I have graduated from high school. Would this be a decent background to be successful in majoring in CS?</p>
<p>Isn’t this typical? Most colleges are set up for you to come into Calc 1. You’re fine, just keep going and make sure you learn it.</p>
<p>At my high school, some people take advanced math courses, which leads them to graduate with AP Calculus. I slacked off before my freshmen year so I didn’t have the opportunity to join in.</p>
<p>Make sure you review a bit of math, so cal 1 can be a breeze</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying.</p>
<p>Hey Frank1, the math you need kind of depends on what aspects of computer science you go into from what I have figured out from some CS friends. If you went into graphics or cryptology or numerical methods, you would need to be pretty good at mathematics. However, I know a friend of mine is focusing, in I believe, security and he personally doesn’t do like any math. I know this area can be math strenuous but I know his whole CS curriculum has required like no math for the courses he has chosen to take. </p>
<p>You just got to get through the required calculus and linear algebra courses and then you decide if you want to do a CS focus that requires a lot of math or not so much of it.</p>
<p>Calculus 1 is find and the standard. However, don’t be surprised to see many of your friends already taking Calc 2 and Calc 3 (Multivariable). </p>
<p>That being said, if you wanna stay ahead like others, feel free to take Calc 1 (and 2 if you want) at your local community college over the summer.</p>
<p>The type of math required for CS tends to be very different than the rest of the mathematics field. The type of math typically used in CS is discrete math, one example of which are “counting” and “arrangement” problems (here’s an example: How many unique ways can you arrange the letters in the word EMBEDDED?)</p>
<p>Starting with Pre-Calculus is OK for Computer Science. CS is probably the ONLY engineering-related major where you can start at Pre-Calculus and still graduate in 4 years. At MOST schools, you will only need:</p>
<p>Calculus I
Calculus II
Linear Algebra
Discrete Mathematics (may be called Discrete Structures and offered by CS dept)
Probability & Statistics (only some schools require it…not bad to take to help with advanced algorithms, networks/queuing theory, etc).</p>