Object Oriented Programming Question

<p>I have a question for anyone who has taken or Object Oriented Programming I (CMSC 131). I was wondering if a math major with no prior computer science experience could take that class my first semester of school. I am very hardworking, but am wondering if this is over my head in terms of learning curve.
Also this is the schedule I hope to have my first semester of college:</p>

<p>Calculus I (MATH 140)
Object Oriented Programming I (CMSC 131)
Micro-Economics (ECON 200)
Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 100)</p>

<p>Is this too much for my first semester, or will I be able to adjust accordingly? I want to become an Actuary after I graduate and will need time to study for exams during college.</p>

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>Those classes look fine for the next semester. Calc can be easy to difficult based off how much experience you have, but if your trying to be a math major/future actuary, you should do fine. Micro will be easier (I took micro with Clement(s?) and it was the easiest A ever and it was 4 credits!) I’d place psych in the middle because there is probably more reading/writing involved, but should still be relatively easy. </p>

<p>No computer science experience will make comp sci a little harder. I have a feeling you’ll be lost for a little bit, but there will be a moment where it all just “clicks,” if that makes any sense XD</p>

<p>I’m a rising junior computer science and math double major and I’m on here relatively frequently. So if you have any questions, feel free to PM me!</p>

<p>EddieD</p>

<p>EddieD, thank you for your responses on this post and the previous post I made about actuarial science. I greatly appreciate it. It will actually be my first semester in college. I am really worried/excited about taking my first computer science class since my school stopped the AP computer science course. As a double major, is it overwhelmingly difficult? You are, in my opinion, majoring in two of the hardest majors in any college. Do you enjoy the classes (lecture, professors, and material) and what do you plan on doing in the future? I am really worried about having a challenging but not suicidal course-load. Do you have any suggestions to the schedule that I made? Again, thank you for your responses and opinions on the matter.</p>

<p>I love how much your stroking my ego… Do it more!</p>

<p>Math and comp sci go together relatively well. Comp sci majors need to take 12 credits of the 300-400 level courses outside of their major and they tend to choose math since you only need linear algebra and calc III to take upper level math courses (and they probably already took those). The math major only requires 24 credits of 300-400 level courses in math, so most comp sci people can easily get a minor in math and some decide to go further and get the double major. Math majors also need to take some programming, so they went together pretty well. The credit stuff probably goes over your head a bit since your not here yet, but take my word they go together well.</p>

<p>Of course, I’d like to consider myself a math major first! Now career choices… Honestly, math majors have a bit of limited career choices. Despite being harder than most liberal art majors, its still a liberal arts major (in most schools anyway, we get a BS in math here!) So unlike a technical degree, your not directly “prepared” for a specific job (EE majors become electrical engineers, Mech E majors become mechanical engineers, etc.)</p>

<p>I seriously considered becoming an actuary, but I would miss programming. This summer I’m interning at the census bureau. The guy who hired me showed lots of interest in me because I did well in MATH410 (which is defined as the “mathematical maturity” course). Have no idea what I’m going to do, but it’ll probably be related to statistics research. I haven’t started yet, but I’ll keep you updated!</p>

<p>And in the Fall, I’m doing a co-op at NSA (doing computer science stuff). </p>

<p>Professors are alright and lectures are kind of dry. I’m a bad note taker, so I usually end up reading the textbook or looking stuff up online. However, most professors will help if you come up to them after class or in their office hours (you just gotta wait behind other students!) Most college courses give you weekly homeworks, quizzes weekly, biweekly, or not at all, and two-four exams which make up the bulk of the grade (like >60%)</p>

<p>I overloaded on math courses this semester, so I kind of got sick of math by the end (almost finished my math major though!) Upper level math (300 and up) is predominately proof based math. It is rather interesting at times (i.e. can you prove that the square root of two is irrational?), but it can be difficult and its limited applications will only frustrate you more. But for the most part, I would say I enjoyed it :)</p>

<p>Your schedule looks fine. Math major is relatively small, so there is no need to do a lot fast (like me…) I think the first actuary exam is probability based; I heard STAT410 is a great prerequisite before the first exam. Don’t let the course number scare you, calc iii and linear algebra are the only prerequisites, so you could take it by junior year, pass the first exam, and grab an internship for your junior summer!</p>

<p>Hope I answered anything. If I didn’t, just ask again!</p>

<p>EDIT: CodingBat.com is a great website to practice Java (which is the language you will learn in CMSC131). Can’t think of a good place to LEARN Java. I guess google it?</p>