Why is math required for a computer science degree?

[Anonymous]

I hire IT engineers.

You don’t need CS degrees to be a programmer or engineer.

You need Math to do a CS degree at most universities.

Universities are a business and they make students take many classes that are not necessary.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of schools that offer degrees in "IT engineering" that don't require lots of math.

Those degrees lead to jobs that don't pay a lot of money.

Just like you can get a degree in Engineering or a degree in Engineering Technology that requires less math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of schools that offer degrees in "IT engineering" that don't require lots of math.

Those degrees lead to jobs that don't pay a lot of money.

Just like you can get a degree in Engineering or a degree in Engineering Technology that requires less math.

They don’t require calculus?

[Anonymous]

OP here again, to the question of whether kid enjoys math. That is a complex answer too. Kid does not approve of ignorance, so my own math illiteracy is quite unattractive to kid. Kid, with no help or understanding from me, has pushed through h.s. to have gotten through calculus A/B in 11th grade. I don’t know that I would describe it as a joy... but kid does find satisfaction in grasping a concept after the initial (and often lengthy) struggle. Does this suggest that kid should “spare the professors”? This is a true question...do folks who pursue CS, math, engineering or physics degrees have some greater level of “joy” in their math courses? I would not seek to dissuade kid if the struggle is real for other students who succeed in those majors but maybe the ones who succeed in those majors have some natural aptitude and ability to just grasp math concepts that DC is not so blessed with? While capable with effort for DC the struggle has been real....does this suggest DC is ill suited?

[Anonymous]

Computer science began with Russell and Whitehead’s development of mathematical logic, or symbolic logic in which natural language mathematically symbolized with Ps and Qs. Once the natural language has been symbolized, you use the normal mathematical rules to manipulate the symbols. You can program a computer with symbols and manipulate those symbols with mathematical rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are lots of schools that offer degrees in "IT engineering" that don't require lots of math.

Those degrees lead to jobs that don't pay a lot of money.

Just like you can get a degree in Engineering or a degree in Engineering Technology that requires less math.

They don’t require calculus?

Most engineering programs require calculus 1, 2, and 3 plus differential equations or similar. However, I have seen some generic IT or computer technology degrees that require less math. Avoiding calculus altogether is unlikely. Most college programs require calculus for most majors including business, life sciences, etc.

[Anonymous]

Elegant explanation 8:58, thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have to ask, you're not going to comprehend the explanation tbh.

+1.

[Anonymous]

I thought programming is pretty much all math?

[Anonymous]

Computers operate on binary logic: 0 or 1. Logic is a sub-category of math. Agree, you do not need calculus to be a programmer, but most people who are good at logic are good at programming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought programming is pretty much all math?

No it’s not.

But higher level math is programmed.

Logic yes... Math, no

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought programming is pretty much all math?

No it’s not.

But higher level math is programmed.

Logic yes... Math, no

DP.. higher level math requires complex logic thinking. Think about it.. most jobs don't require you to know how to solve complex *math* equation, but a lot of the high paying jobs require complex problem solving.

Students take high level math not because they need to know Calc. for their jobs or in life, but because it requires complex logical thinking. Same for reading complex text, like when I had to read stuff like Walt Whitman, which I do not enjoy. Why do we have to take Literature classes and read all those boring books (to me)? Because it helps one understand complex text. Same for higher level math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have to ask, you're not going to comprehend the explanation tbh.

This is correct.


Longerform answer:
Computer science IS math. The type of reasoning you need to build solid software is very akin to mathematical reasoning.
And that’s not even saying anything about data analysis like that needed for profiling, algorithms, or things like queuing theory in network programming.

A bit harsh but it’s late so I’ll be blunt: being a low-level code monkey doesn’t require much math. But that’s not really computer science and it’s not where the bucks are.

The only way that can explain this answer is how you define low-level and in most cases its the number of instructions per the instruction set per line of code in the chosen language. The closer this ratio gets to 1 is how you define low level code. Folks writing low level code have a fundamental understanding that frankly most programmers don't get. And in order to play at that level and be able to understand performance issues and code elegant, efficient software without fail it was the smartest guys on the dev teams that wrote the low level code and they inherently understood high level math.

If you want to code for a living and be good at it - its pays to be scary smart and those folks don't' shy away from a little math.

[Anonymous]

College educations are not trade schools.

Whether the subjects you study are necessary for your job or not ultimately depends on the job you get.

[Anonymous]

Math is an easy way to filter out incapable kids. Engineering is similar. If one can do math then one can do most other stem fields.