<p>Hi, I am new to this site so I am really sorry if Im doing something wrong, I have done IB Diploma in Thailand and gained 38 points. I know it isnt that high. My true question is I am confused between 2 majors. Since a really young age I wanted to computer science, yes not even knowing what it consists of or what it actually is. In high school my school had no computer science subject to offer in IB, thus could not take it though during this time I took Chemistry at HL along with Phsysics Hl and Business & Management HL. Getting a 7 in both Chem and Physics, it can show that I have always been really good at sciences but yes never that great at Math. I have always avoided math thus not taken math at HL in IB. I know the general thing that how you should do not do engineering if you are not good at math, but I am just not that great at it, i mean i really need to work a lot at math, but I still wish to do engineering. And now that I have provided with the background, my question is I am confused between Computer Science and Chemical Engineering. Again as to why should come from the story I told, now I am scared to take Computer Science cause I have read its all calculus which truly I do not like. Chemical Engineering on the other hand, while being great at sciences, people said its not the science I studied at High School. I would really appreciate if anyone already in these majors or having knowledge about them could enlighten me with what these majors are like, what they require in terms of math and if anyone would like to kindly suggest what Major I should apply for, suggestions can even include majors outside CS and ChemE. please do give your opinions, im in desperate need of advise and as I come from a really uneducated family, I rarely have people I can go to for advise. Thank you in advance :)</p>
<p>Usually students who struggle with math and calc don’t like engineering. Tell us more about the subjects you enjoy.</p>
<p>Chemical Engineering is even more mathematics intensive than Computer Science. in addition, Chemical Engineering is a combination of Chemistry and physics as far as similarities to science goes.</p>
<p>Hi colorado_mom, I would say personally the subjects I enjoy are sciences. I have always been good at all the three sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Biology. In addition to that I enjoy studying about computers, I did ICT in my IGCSE and well unfortunately I could not take computer science in IB cause my school didnt offer it 
but I definitely wanted to take it. As per my subjects, in my IGCSEs these are the following subjects with their grades… so you can see how i am at those subjects
[IGCSE]<br>
- Chemistry = A*<br>
- Biology = A*<br>
- Physics = A*<br>
- Math = A<br>
- Hindi as a second language = A<br>
- ICT = A*<br>
- English as a second language = A
- Economics = A</p>
<p>[IB]
- Chemistry HL = 7
- Physics HL = 6
- Business & Managemet = 6
- Math SL = 7
- English A1 Lit SL = 5
- Spanish Abinitio = 6</p>
<p>So these are my subjects, now if you are wondering why Business at HL, I did not want Math at HL as it would really kill me with the work load and I personally did not like the Math teacher at my school, thus I took Business at HL as my parents run a business so I thought I would give it a go.</p>
<p>To xraymans, WOW i did not know that ChemE requires more math, my chemistry teacher at school did not tell me that, instead she always told me I need enough math to get me through the physics aspects which I always did. </p>
<p>I aprreciate you guys trying to help, thank you so much. I am waiting for a reply colorado_mom 
oh PS: out of the box, I am really good at non verbal reasoning and debate. I have always scored full in all non-verbal reasoning quizes and currently am taking a Introduction to Logic course at a local university, in which I am doing pretty good. Didn’t know if this was important but yea…</p>
<p>For many engineering fields, the basic process is about the same. You describe a physical system mathematically. You test your math model with known inputs and outputs. You then use that verified math model to predict future outputs from given sets of inputs.</p>
<p>Many of these math models were developed decades and even centuries ago. However, to truly understand how these derived formulas can and should be used, you need to understand the mathematical basis of them.</p>
<p>In most high school classes, you are developing an understanding of the physical processes and you are not trying to quantify them mathematically to the extent that you do in engineering. Therefore, high school science classes do not give one a very good understanding of what engineering is really about. I would hesitant to recommend engineering to someone who didn’t a good grasp of mathematics.</p>
<p>Computer engineering may be one of those engineering fields where mathematics isn’t used as much as other fields of engineering. But, some branches of computer engineering are supporting other engineering fields and that may require a better understanding of the mathematics. I was a structural engineer and the computer programs we used (finite element codes as well as other types of custom software programs) had some highly mathematic basis to parts of those codes.</p>
<p>Hello Hpuck and thank you for your reply. I understand now what you are saying, and all this info is really helping me clear my mind. I would still like to hear from more people, but also can you tell me what major would you suggest me if not engineering seeing my subjects and interest. It will be really helpful for me. Thanks a lot</p>
<p>vikky - I thought that HPuck had good comments. That’s why I did not answer priro to your PM</p>
<p>Some of your acronyms are unfamiliar to me. But I do know IB program (at least US flavor used at our high school) very well. Your scores for IB Physics HL and Chem HL are great. </p>
<p>You will know more about whether Engineering is a good fit after you take some calc. It’s not critical that you decided between engineering or CS or other STEM major before selecting your college. There is a lot of overlap of courses, especially in freshman year. Good luck! </p>
<p>.</p>
<p>Hi, oh I am sorry should have not used acronyms… Well IGCSEs are like UK exams for 10th grade, they are not as worthy as A levels or AP exams but just a 10th grade exam. I understand how in US the first year is quite flexible and all about trying classes to see what you like, but I am currently writing my applications and wish to know what should I choose as my major then? Also just for personal inquiry what would you suggest are the majors that would be good for me knowing my Grades in IB now… Thanks for all the help from all of you guys, This community is really helpful and sorry coloroda mom that I had to pm you :P</p>
<p>"I wish to know what should I choose as my major then? " - That can vary by college. There are varying factors. Consider also posting your question in specific college threads too. </p>
<p>In general, starting in Engineering is good because there are many required course sequences. Engineering credit often transfers to other majors, but not vice versa. </p>
<p>I know one student that recommends against Undecided path. Once he decided on ChemE, he was off track for the course sequences. </p>
<p>NOTE - For student concerned about STEM vs non-STEM, there is something to watch out for. Sometimes there is a minimum GPA requirement to switch to a different school within a university. A student who is struggling in engineering will likely have have a low GPA.</p>