Preparing for Calculus for a CSE Major and Agronomy Major Qs

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am currently planning on going for a Computer Science major in the University of Minnesota's College of Computer Science and Engineering.</p>

<p>I am in my junior year, with Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, and Pre-Engineering completed. I have a basic understanding of Trig from Pre-Eng and Algebra II. For my senior year I will be taking Pre-Calculus, and am already studying Pre-Calc. </p>

<p>I have never been a model student when it comes to math courses. I usually get Bs in my math classes. The lowest being a B- (First Semester of Algebra II) and the highest being an A (In Geometry).</p>

<p>How much catching up do I have to do to be prepared for Calculus my first semester of College (Starting in 2013)? Should I study Trigonometry more? The U of M requires you to get a C- or above in both Calculus and Calculus II. Does this seem doable considering my poor math grades in High School? The main reason I fared poorly in Algebra II was I was in this massive procrastination stage, which I have luckily now gotten out of and am kicking it into gear with math classes.</p>

<p>Overall, for Computer Science, the only thing that worries me is my mathematical skills, I am more than confident in my technical skills.</p>

<hr>

<p>Next up I have some agronomy questions,</p>

<p>If I choose to ditch CS and go for agronomy, what kind of future careers can I expect, and will it be a decent paying career? If I do go into Agronomy, I want to specialize in the Business aspects of it and overall management of crops and fertilizers.</p>

<p>Will I be able to find a career as easily as Computer Science?</p>

2

<p>You don’t have to be a Math whiz in order to succeed in Calculus. You just need solid basics in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. </p>

<p>As for career opportunities, they exist for both majors. Agronomy will limit you more, IMO.</p>

<p>If you like both CS and Agronomy, have you considered Agricultural Engineering? There is certainly a niche for a person who can model agricultural phenomena. Business aspects of the interface between the two subjects can also be covered in Ag. Economics.</p>

3

<p>Completion of a good trigonometry and precalculus course is sufficient preparation for calculus. You may want to find out how previous students who graduated from your high school did in calculus courses in college.</p>

<p>After completing trigonometry and precalculus, you can check your knowledge on this placement test:
[Calculus</a> Placement Exam | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley](<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam]Calculus”>http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam)
If you score green on all or most subjects, you should be ready for calculus.</p>

<p>University of Minnesota has its own placement test, although it seems to want a login to get to the actual test:
[math</a> placement testing faq](<a href=“http://iamnew.class.umn.edu/mathfaq.html]math”>http://iamnew.class.umn.edu/mathfaq.html)</p>

4

<p>I am fairly good at geometry. I will be taking a precalc course next year but will not be able to take a trig course in highschool.</p>

5

<p>Trigonometry is typically included in a year-long precalculus course in high school.</p>

<p>If it is not, consider taking the needed course work at a community college during one of your summers.</p>