Owego Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 I may be starting a computer science masters program this summer. Due to my limited math background (statistics, but no calculus) I'd start off with a math "catch up" course that would run me $5,000. The name of the course is "math for computer science" and it requires precalc but no calc. It's possible to test out of this course, but I clearly wouldn't at this point. However, I'm wondering if taking a calculus at a community college this spring could get me up to speed and allow me to test out. It would be a much cheaper option than the catch up course, and I'm also wondering if it may look better to admissions committees if I ever apply for a PhD in the future (not a PhD in computer science, but something in the social sciences). Any thoughts? I have no idea how well calculus would align with "math for computer science." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace589 Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 (edited) Owego my guess is that it will cover topics in linear algebra and discrete math as well as calculus. So I would not assume that calculus is an alternative but it wouldn't hurt. Edited December 26, 2013 by ace589 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gnome Chomsky Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 For the comp sci BS at my undergrad university and the MSs at my prospective grad universities, I needed to take Calc 1, Calc 2, Discrete Math, Stochastic Models for Computer Science (an upper-division probability and stats class), and Formal Languages and Automata Theory (a math-ish class). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whtchocla7e Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure what computer science courses require more than calculus or discrete math. Basic linear algebra may be useful for a graphics-related course. Other than that, once you're in the program, I would image that you will be able to pick whatever math you're interested in, depending on your goals. Numerical Analysis - that's a really good one. I have yet to take this course myself. Number Theory - theory of congruences, prime numbers are useful in Cryptography, hashing, etc. Edited December 28, 2013 by whtchocla7e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billrach Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Owego, did you get accepted to an MS program without calc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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