<p>I am going to RPI and right now I am doing CS and Comp E, but biomed kinda interests me, and I also like math. But I am just curious, when does the math start getting useless?
Like I know that:
Calc I, Calc II, Multivariable Calc, Diffy Eq
are the useful ones, but I heard people say "take linear alegbra it is useful' or "take partial diffy eqs" or "take real analysis"
For all you that are in any engineering tell me if you have taken the following classes and tell me if it is useful at all for engineering or computer science:
Linear Algebra
Topology
Number Theory
Anaylsis
Abstract Algebra
Complex Variables
Graph Theory
Partial Differential Equations
Advanced Calculus
Numerical Computing</p>
<p>You’ll definitely want Linear Algebra for an Electrical/Computer Engineering work.</p>
<p>Just follow the prereqs for what you’re studying. That will tell you what’s useful.</p>
<p>It depends on what kind of engineering (or computer science). However, linear algebra (at the lower division level) is typically required for engineering or computer science majors, and may be combined with differential equations into one course at a semester system school.</p>
<p>For computer science, it depends on what subarea you are most interested in:</p>
<ul>
<li>General: discrete math and probability theory is almost always a required lower division course (this may be a computer science course)</li>
<li>Theory: consider combinatorics and graph theory, theory of computation, and incompleteness and undecidability (these may be computer science theory courses); any proof-oriented math course will be good practice for proofs, even if the content is not directly applicable</li>
<li>Cryptography: consider abstract algebra and number theory</li>
<li>Scientific computing: consider numerical analysis, probability, and statistics</li>
<li>Graphics: consider courses listed here: [Mathematics</a> for Computer Graphics](<a href=“http://www.cc.gatech.edu/~turk/math_gr.html]Mathematics”>Mathematics for Computer Graphics)</li>
</ul>
<p>Are you planning on switching over to biomed engineering?</p>
<p>I would say that math never gets useless. I would take as much as I could, but that’s just me :)</p>
<p>I would echo what others have said and agree that linear algebra is definitely a “must”. UCBalumnus gave a good overview as well.</p>
<p>Chances are you won’t have a lot of room to take electives. If it does come up, I would seek your advisors advice and you may have a better idea what you’re interested at that point.</p>
<p>It will also depend on whether or not you plan to go on to grad school (and from there, M.S. vs. Ph.D.). The farther along you go, the more math intensive it will generally be. Of course you can’t really plan for all that at this point, but as you reach your junior and senior year of your degree - which is when you will just start having free electives anyway - then you will know a little bit better and can plan accordingly.</p>
<p>When does math get useless? You learned quicker than I did lol!</p>
<p>Besides Linear Algebra, none of the other ones are necessary (linear algebra probably isn’t either, but I feel it is very fundamental). Of course, if your interested in any, give them a try!</p>
<p>I’ve heard numerical analysis isn’t very fun (not saying its hard, just not fun) and the rest are proof courses. UCBalumnus did a nice overview of the rest. </p>
<p>EDIT:
Adv Calc is typically thought of as a “bridge” to mathematics and number theory is usually considered the most fun fyi.</p>
<p>When you say “useless” what do you mean?</p>
<p>None of those fields are necessary per se for CS. However, specific specialized subfields for CS do require knowledge of specific areas of math. However, if, for example, you were to be a web application programmer for the rest of your career, no college-level math, not even discrete math, will likely ever be necessary.</p>