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do you need to take a bunch of math classes in college if you want to get into computer programming?

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Michael’s Answer

Hello Signora, the short answer is no but this would imply you go with experience over a degree. Getting a job in computer programming isn't guaranteed with a degree. A friend of mine didn't get a degree at all and just worked on video games with another friend after high school and works for Nintendo. If the goal is to be a programmer then program, if you really want to get the degree then yeah you need to take up to calculus I believe typically but it really isn't that bad. I wasn't very good at math and went to the colleges help center after every class to do the homework and past most classes with A's.

I don't want to say don't get a degree btw but if you don't want it then start programming and making your own stuff and it will take you just as far.
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Mark’s Answer


Signora,
To be a programmer these days you don't need to take college math.
To get hired, you just need to learn a language.
To be good, you should learn, databases, algorithms, structured programming, logic.
There are a lot of different skills in the IT field, that require different skill sets.
Based on your budget, desire to get a college experience, and what you like to do, all go into the equation.
The only way to really learn what you love to do, is to take different courses and try different internships.

Mark recommends the following next steps:

Take a programming course and see if you like it
Try to get an intership as a jr. developer.
Determine if you want a BS degree, an associates degree
Rearch colleges that have a variety of degrees and flexible course to take for a degree
Get a mentor
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Dave’s Answer

Math can be helpful for programming but is by no means a necessity. The most useful math classes for programming are discrete mathematics (the study of non-continuous functions, integers, graphs, etc.) and statistics. A solid understanding of statistics can benefit from experience with calculus, but even business-level statistics can help you be a better programmer.

That's the practical components for being a programmer (mathematically). If you wish to dive deep into computer science, the analysis of algorithms and other theoretical topics, you will definitely need advanced calculus since much of the analysis deals with continuous functions and approximations of integrals.
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Sharon’s Answer

There are typically several levels of math needed for a programming related degree. You can check on the college websites to see what their courses are for a given degree.
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