I want to pursue a computer science degree but I’m worried I will not be able to handle it. I will most likely be going to a very large state school with a pretty reputable comp-sci program. I have some experience programming (HTML, Java, and C++) and although I’m definitely not a genius when it comes to programming, I think I will be able to manage. I’m mostly worried about getting through the math required for this degree. I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m bad at math, I’m just further behind than most students pursuing comp-sci. I’m only in Pre-Calculus now (as a senior in high school) and won’t take Calc until my freshman year of college. I also got a 28 on the math section of the ACT if that matters at all.
This post is pretty funny because it is a mirror image of myself, and what I was concerned about before getting into CS, especially with the math aspect of it. Many colleges math and science requirements are something like…Calc I, II, III, linear algebra, diff eq, discrete math, physics I, II, etc.
Yours might have a few less…I’m not sure. The truth is that you don’t have to worry about Calc II or linear algebra because you’re learning pre-calc right now! When you start college, you still won’t have to worry about them, because you’ll be taking Calculus, which is actually pretty easy, even for someone not good at math. The point is that you’ll be prepared for those courses by the time you get to them, so it’s not worth fussing about right now. As the old saying goes, you’ll cross that bridge when you get to it. I was scared to death of math, but I went through it all (time will fly, and you won’t believe how far you’ve gone)…I’m sure you can do the same.
FWIW, a study of verbal/math/spatial abilities by major showed that high math abilities are not overly represented for computer science. Higher spatial abilities seemed more applicable. Details: