Why is math required for a computer science degree?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

That is stupid considering we have a need for STEM people. We don’t need to weed we need to grow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But it never proves out. It does not prove somebody is a better programmer/engineer.

It’s an unnecessary culling process that actually hurts the industry. Ditto for reading the classics.

[Anonymous]

An example that might help your child understand is the old game Pong. Have him google how to program the game, or at least the AI part of the game where you program the "opponent" paddle to play against the user. In your programming, you have to be able to understand timed movement across the coordinate plane to be able to program the paddle to be in the right place on the plane at the right time. That is all math. And that game isn't even 3D.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

There’s another thread on CS in SLACs. Liberal art colleges are not pre-professional; however, most/many offer CS as a major. You are likely to find more support programs for students there — peer tutoring, peer lecture-style tutoring, profs’ office hours. They truly nurture their students. If you are certain CS is what your kid is looking for and s/he is willing to put in the effort, you might want to consider a liberal arts college as opposed to state unis. At state unis, seems like every step of the way is a stumbling block with weed courses. Approximately half the students at U of Ca students fail Calculus, meaning they can’t continue on with majors requiring calculus. And that’s just Calculus 1.

[Anonymous]

IT person here who went to a top CS school. Have your kid look at the curriculum for CS and IS (information systems) programs at their desired school. CS is more heavy on math, while IS will have more on business and statistics (used in decision science that's why). That said, both will have stats, and both will have math, so it's a matter of how much and how deep.

Senior IT people need the thought process you get from high-level math. It's more than just algebra. I found that discrete math and logic were the most useful to me actually.. since that's kind of how computers work.

He may prefer IS.. if he's more of a people person, IS is a good option for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An example that might help your child understand is the old game Pong. Have him google how to program the game, or at least the AI part of the game where you program the "opponent" paddle to play against the user. In your programming, you have to be able to understand timed movement across the coordinate plane to be able to program the paddle to be in the right place on the plane at the right time. That is all math. And that game isn't even 3D.

This is a great answer!

OP - I think your child is confusing "computer systems" or some more trade-oriented degree with a solid computer science program. The science is about "Why do computers work this way? How does the physics affect the best programming approach? Why is is so darn difficult to make animated hair look like hair? This optimization program takes too many days, now what? The math shows up in the why. If your child is bright, he should develop an interest in the why instead of just the how to.

[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

I actually had a class way back when in my European HS called Logic! It was kind of philosophy, kind of math. Interesting thing was that I was good at it, and I was not that good at math. I remembered all the equations and such, but would just mess up adding, dividing, etc. Logic was so much more fun and easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

That is stupid considering we have a need for STEM people. We don’t need to weed we need to grow.

I actually use some of the math you are dismissing when I have to program - certainly linear algebra, and yeah, calculus. I am not a great programmer, but a pretty decent economist. So it comes up. Again and again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

So basically, you aren't good enough to be an engineer or data scientist yourself, and you have no idea what you're talking about, but you've got all sorts of opinions about what is or isn't necessary for the job. Got it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IT person here who went to a top CS school. Have your kid look at the curriculum for CS and IS (information systems) programs at their desired school. CS is more heavy on math, while IS will have more on business and statistics (used in decision science that's why). That said, both will have stats, and both will have math, so it's a matter of how much and how deep.

Senior IT people need the thought process you get from high-level math. It's more than just algebra. I found that discrete math and logic were the most useful to me actually.. since that's kind of how computers work.

He may prefer IS.. if he's more of a people person, IS is a good option for sure.

CS PhD here, and it isn't "kind of" how computers work, it's exactly how computers work. Logic and discrete math. Applications add in the other branches of math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But it never proves out. It does not prove somebody is a better programmer/engineer.

It’s an unnecessary culling process that actually hurts the industry. Ditto for reading the classics.

I didn't say it "proved" anything, but just that higher math teaches more complex thinking. Not everyone who is good at complex thinking will be good at programming, just like not everyone who is good at complex thinking would be a good lawyer. It's much more nuanced than that. The point is that higher level math, just as high level literature, teaches more complex thinking.

Not a hard concept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

You remind me of someone who climbed the ladder on her back - and who said you don’t need to know your job to manage people.

[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.

+1

It is astounding to me that these parents insist on a "computer degree" but barely know what it entails IRL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

So basically, you aren't good enough to be an engineer or data scientist yourself, and you have no idea what you're talking about, but you've got all sorts of opinions about what is or isn't necessary for the job. Got it.

Funny. I have a degree in Math. I have been an engineer but that is not where the real money is. You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

You remind me of someone who climbed the ladder on her back - and who said you don’t need to know your job to manage people.

Wow! Incels on the college forum, they usually stay on the relationship forum.