- #1
ironman1478
- 25
- 0
Hello physicsforums
next semester i have a bit of an awkward schedule because i changed majors. this left me with in a strange spot where i can take another math class.
here are my choices
Abstract Algebra
pros
+i am pretty interested in it due to some exposure in linear algebra
+I have to take this class if i want to get a minor or a BA in Math in addition to my computer engineering degree
cons
-might be too difficult for me (i don't have too much exposure to proofs)
-I don't imagine its too useful for a computer engineer with a focus on CS, but that's not too much of a con
-professor wrote the book we are using. last time this happened i ended up just teaching myself the subject from a different book because i learned nothing at lecture since it was the book regurgitated back to us in an equally confusing manner (i didn't like the way the book was written).
sidenote: if i don't take this class now, i will just end up taking it in 2-3 semesters anyway, the other ones i might not however since the math minor doesn't require them, but it requires algebra
Number Theory
pros
+seems really useful since one of my interests is cryptography
cons
-dont know? i am not really sure what the class is like since I've never been exposed to it
Numerical Methods
pros
+generally a useful subject since it deals with both optimization and useful ways to use computers to do complex calculations
cons
-seems a little boring from what i have heard (not that big of a deal)
-could be very time consuming since there might be a lot of trial and error involved
-/+ not really a pro or con but it counts towards my engineering degree rather than my math and taking it would close off the possibility of getting a BA since i wouldn't have enough room for more math classes. not really a negative since in the end a minor or a BA is just a piece of paper.
right now i am leaning towards either abstract algebra or number theory since they seem a bit more interesting (at least abstract algebra). however i would prefer to take the one that is maybe a bit less time consuming since next semester i will be taking the max amount of units allowed and the other classes i am taking are going to be extremely time consuming from what I've heard from my classmates.
also i have another question, but this doesn't really have to be answered
is knowing a foreign language important? the reason i ask is because i switched from CS to CECS because CS required 3 semesters of foreign language, and from past experiences with foreign languages (italian) i was probably going to fail. so i changed to CECS which contains the entire CS curriculum but instead of 3 language classes i have to take 4 circuits and computer architecture classes, which is totally fine by me since i am interested in those subjects. will not knowing any foreign language bar me from grad school in CS or job opportunities, or is it not that important.
thanx in advance
next semester i have a bit of an awkward schedule because i changed majors. this left me with in a strange spot where i can take another math class.
here are my choices
Abstract Algebra
pros
+i am pretty interested in it due to some exposure in linear algebra
+I have to take this class if i want to get a minor or a BA in Math in addition to my computer engineering degree
cons
-might be too difficult for me (i don't have too much exposure to proofs)
-I don't imagine its too useful for a computer engineer with a focus on CS, but that's not too much of a con
-professor wrote the book we are using. last time this happened i ended up just teaching myself the subject from a different book because i learned nothing at lecture since it was the book regurgitated back to us in an equally confusing manner (i didn't like the way the book was written).
sidenote: if i don't take this class now, i will just end up taking it in 2-3 semesters anyway, the other ones i might not however since the math minor doesn't require them, but it requires algebra
Number Theory
pros
+seems really useful since one of my interests is cryptography
cons
-dont know? i am not really sure what the class is like since I've never been exposed to it
Numerical Methods
pros
+generally a useful subject since it deals with both optimization and useful ways to use computers to do complex calculations
cons
-seems a little boring from what i have heard (not that big of a deal)
-could be very time consuming since there might be a lot of trial and error involved
-/+ not really a pro or con but it counts towards my engineering degree rather than my math and taking it would close off the possibility of getting a BA since i wouldn't have enough room for more math classes. not really a negative since in the end a minor or a BA is just a piece of paper.
right now i am leaning towards either abstract algebra or number theory since they seem a bit more interesting (at least abstract algebra). however i would prefer to take the one that is maybe a bit less time consuming since next semester i will be taking the max amount of units allowed and the other classes i am taking are going to be extremely time consuming from what I've heard from my classmates.
also i have another question, but this doesn't really have to be answered
is knowing a foreign language important? the reason i ask is because i switched from CS to CECS because CS required 3 semesters of foreign language, and from past experiences with foreign languages (italian) i was probably going to fail. so i changed to CECS which contains the entire CS curriculum but instead of 3 language classes i have to take 4 circuits and computer architecture classes, which is totally fine by me since i am interested in those subjects. will not knowing any foreign language bar me from grad school in CS or job opportunities, or is it not that important.
thanx in advance