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i just started coding and wanna computer science in general ,but i suck at math any advise
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7 answers
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Rebecca’s Answer
I am glad that you are interested in Computer Science and started your own coding. In fact, studying Computer Science itself does not require a lot of Maths. You may need to have some Maths background when studying Computing Theories / Algorithm. These are the major subjects to develop the programs that utilize the computing power most efficiently.
Having said that, Maths is an essential subject regardless of which major you are going to take. You may need to pass this subject in your high school before entering the college. Therefore, I would suggest you to find out what challenges you have faced in your maths. Is because you have no interest, do not understand the logic, etc.? You could discuss with your school teacher what assistance he/she could offer you. Alternatively, you could also consider to have a private tutor to help. Also, you can form study groups with your classmates. This can help you to understand the topics in class and complete the assignment.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Having said that, Maths is an essential subject regardless of which major you are going to take. You may need to pass this subject in your high school before entering the college. Therefore, I would suggest you to find out what challenges you have faced in your maths. Is because you have no interest, do not understand the logic, etc.? You could discuss with your school teacher what assistance he/she could offer you. Alternatively, you could also consider to have a private tutor to help. Also, you can form study groups with your classmates. This can help you to understand the topics in class and complete the assignment.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
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Dan’s Answer
I was not very good in High School and was certainly not good at math - I guess you could say I also "sucked" at math. When I first started taking college classes towards an electrical engineering degree, I was required to take a remedial math class. However I paid attention in college, tried hard and did not give up. My math classes in college earned me a "B" average in math (80-89%) which was not great but was good enough (I earned better grades in my other classes).
How did it work out for me? I earned a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters degree in Engineering Management then worked for 40 years as an electrical engineer, software programmer, project lead, engineering design manager, engineering quality manager and part-time college professor. I wrote, designed, tested and managed software.
Yes, you can learn math and have a good career in computer science! Ask your math instructors for more help, don't give up, and keep trying. Learning is always possible, it just takes longer sometimes.
Good Luck!
How did it work out for me? I earned a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters degree in Engineering Management then worked for 40 years as an electrical engineer, software programmer, project lead, engineering design manager, engineering quality manager and part-time college professor. I wrote, designed, tested and managed software.
Yes, you can learn math and have a good career in computer science! Ask your math instructors for more help, don't give up, and keep trying. Learning is always possible, it just takes longer sometimes.
Good Luck!
Updated
Yadunandan’s Answer
A computer science degree gives you fundamentals to approach a lot of different career paths in the future. Plenty of those don't have a lot of math involved, other than punching basic numbers into a calculator/using software designed to do the task you need. Life after college isn't like school; you are allowed to use calculators as much as you want :). Actually, a lot of people tend to forget a lot of the math they learned because of how long they didn't need to use it.
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As long as you're not going down to the hardware level with signal processing or circuit design, I don't think you will need much math. If you don't like to logically break down and figure things out at all though, then I think at the very least, try to get better at it so you can pick things up faster. Recommend you go for the more visual side of things like Graphic/UI design if you have an interest in artistic aspects.
Web Development
Management positions
Most offensive/defensive security
As long as you're not going down to the hardware level with signal processing or circuit design, I don't think you will need much math. If you don't like to logically break down and figure things out at all though, then I think at the very least, try to get better at it so you can pick things up faster. Recommend you go for the more visual side of things like Graphic/UI design if you have an interest in artistic aspects.
Updated
Tim’s Answer
If you are looking to get a computer science degree in college, some but not all programs I looked at do require courses in math (calculus, discrete math and probability and statistics) . So you should be able to find a program that does not require math courses. You should have some basic math skills in order to be a successful coder.
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Anup’s Answer
Hello - I work in computer science area but for what I do, I haven't had to have in depth knowledge of math. If you're good at coding, you'll be all right in this field.
Thanks,
Anup
Thanks,
Anup
Updated
Marini’s Answer
There are math requirements that will need to be met. My best advice is for you to start with your teacher, if you're in high school. Many teachers have time they set aside to help students, so I would say you should take advantage of this time. You can also ask classmates, that perform well in math, to tutor you. If the first two options are not available, tutors outside of school will be your next option.
If you're in college, or when you go to college, take advantage of professors' office hours. Many colleges also provide a math lab. This is in place to provide free tutoring services to students, so take full advantage of this service. You can also join or start a math workgroup with other students to get the assistance you need.
Lastly, I would like to say that you do not suck in math; you just may be better in other courses. Always remember that you can learn anything that you set your mind to. Good luck!
If you're in college, or when you go to college, take advantage of professors' office hours. Many colleges also provide a math lab. This is in place to provide free tutoring services to students, so take full advantage of this service. You can also join or start a math workgroup with other students to get the assistance you need.
Lastly, I would like to say that you do not suck in math; you just may be better in other courses. Always remember that you can learn anything that you set your mind to. Good luck!
Updated
Jagoda’s Answer
Hi
computer science is an exciting and diverse field. Most of the university courses will include some maths elements at the undergrad level (statistics, calculus and discrete mathematics). The admission criteria often include a math grade or exam.
However the filed is always changing and evolving, there are many computer-science related fields and degrees where maths will not be that important:
- data science, machine learning and computer engineering - may require more traditional STEM foundation subjects
- management information systems, IT management, cybersecurity, big data, information technology, software design, business analysis, graphic design etc - are very good career choices, equip you with very desired skills and have less focus on mathematics
Additional things you can consider:
- check the requirements and curriculum at the institutions you'd like to study at - check how many hours are spent on maths, what subject you'd need to take at school
- consider where do you want to study - I come from central-eastern Europe that still has very traditional approach to computer science with many foundational STEM courses included and many theoretical subject. Western curricula are very different with the focus on practical skills
- talk to someone active in you field of interest - it's a great way to verify your assumptions. Is math used in daily duties? If yes - how, how much?
- push through -
In your professional IT life you will not be doing calculus but rather using logic and analytical thinking - there are key skills that are developed i.e. by doing mathematics.
Hope it helps and fingers crossed!
computer science is an exciting and diverse field. Most of the university courses will include some maths elements at the undergrad level (statistics, calculus and discrete mathematics). The admission criteria often include a math grade or exam.
However the filed is always changing and evolving, there are many computer-science related fields and degrees where maths will not be that important:
- data science, machine learning and computer engineering - may require more traditional STEM foundation subjects
- management information systems, IT management, cybersecurity, big data, information technology, software design, business analysis, graphic design etc - are very good career choices, equip you with very desired skills and have less focus on mathematics
Additional things you can consider:
- check the requirements and curriculum at the institutions you'd like to study at - check how many hours are spent on maths, what subject you'd need to take at school
- consider where do you want to study - I come from central-eastern Europe that still has very traditional approach to computer science with many foundational STEM courses included and many theoretical subject. Western curricula are very different with the focus on practical skills
- talk to someone active in you field of interest - it's a great way to verify your assumptions. Is math used in daily duties? If yes - how, how much?
- push through -
In your professional IT life you will not be doing calculus but rather using logic and analytical thinking - there are key skills that are developed i.e. by doing mathematics.
Hope it helps and fingers crossed!