Study suggestions please, what should I get a jump on?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I've just headed back to college, I'll be a computer engineering major, right now I'm taking Calc I, but I've been self-studying calculus for the past few months, I'm over half-done with Hugh Neill's "Teach Yourself Calculus," because I want to get the best grades I can (to improve my transferring chances and career). So I'm already studying stuff I won't cover in class for a quarter or two, I plan to self-study multivariable calculus and differential equations, my question is: once I've gotten that down, what do you more advanced students recommend I get started on, so that I'm familiar with the material before heading into class so I'm not trying to get a drink from a firehose? Linear algebra? Discrete math? Or should I ditch the math and get a jump on actual computer engineering topics like circuits? OR should I get a jump on physics? (I'll be taking three calculus-based physics classes starting next quarter)</p>

<p>My instincts tell me that the math is the most important thing to study, but what do you all think? Thanks for your time and advice.</p>

2

<p>I would start looking at circuits, digital & analog. Circuit analysis is a very large part of the degree.You only really need Calc series for the major classes.</p>

3

<p>Rather than focusing on one thing, I would diversify. I might recommend something similar to the following:</p>

<ul>
<li>Calculus II & III, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra</li>
<li>Physics, Circuits, and E&M</li>
<li>Discrete Math, C/C++ programming, MATLAB</li>
</ul>

<p>I would spend a similar amount of time on each of these. The best way to do any of these things is to practice on problems. The amount of time you spend in total depends on how well prepared you want to be… but, realistically, I’d say that 100 hours would be a pretty thorough preparation. Spread it over 10 weeks and you’re talking about 1.5 hours per day. Odds are you have enough free time between classes (or in some classes) to do that.</p>

<p>As far as the level of rigor is concerned, I would recommend problems sets that are just hard enough that for each problem, you only just don’t know how to do it. Having solutions manuals is really important.</p>

4

<p>First, kudos to your self-study regimen. This kind of dedication alone should earn you top-marks in your class.</p>

<p>I’d focus on having a strong background in Mathematics, specifically Calculus, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations.</p>

<p>This will be very important in your advanced classes.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for your advice everybody, it’s been invaluable. Can anybody name a computer/electrical engineering topic that they wish they’d been more familiar with before they studied it in class?</p>

6

<p>everybody can be better at maxwell’s equations.</p>

<p>Though to be honest, I would just study what you are learning at the given time.</p>

7

<p>Member is right–don’t over load yourself before you see the material. A strong foundation in E&M and mathematics will ensure that you succeed.</p>

8

<p>What–exactly–is e&m? Electromagnetics?</p>

9

<p>E&M is Electricity and Magnetism, usually your 2nd course in Physics. It will provide the basis for your electromagnetic classes.</p>

10

<p>Oh. Guess I haven’t learned all the hip new engineering lingo that the kids are using these days.</p>

11

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<p>Definitely Circuit Analysis, and probably Digital Systems, if you aren’t already very familiar with digital logic. Signals and Systems, too.</p>