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From: parnass@ihu1h.UUCP (Bob Parnass, AJ9S)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Why take CALC (Blech!) [helps in getting a job]
Message-ID: <629@ihu1h.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 16-Jul-85 14:53:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihu1h.629
Posted: Tue Jul 16 14:53:46 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jul-85 04:38:36 EDT
References: <199@rruxo.UUCP> <511@ttidcc.UUCP> <734@ihlpg.UUCP> <926@daemon.UUCP> <1089@cae780.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 43

x
     Students ask, "Why	should I take calculus?".  If for no
     other reason, to improve your prospects for employment.

     In	the past 7 years or so	of  interviewing  candidates
     for  (non-scientific)  software  development positions,
     I've looked first at the amount  and  nature  of  their
     mathematics course	work.

     A solid grounding in mathematics seems  to	 be  a	good
     predictor of their	ability	to tackle the "problem solv-
     ing" aspect of software  design,  and  candidates	that
     have demonstrated mathematical skills get preference.

     If	you are	at all interested in a good graduate  educa-
     tion in computer science, higher math is a	necessity.

     Nowadays, computer	science	degrees	come in	several	fla-
     vors.  Those who intend to	write business data process-
     ing programs  can	probably  avoid	 higher	 mathematics
     without  detriment.  They should seek out trade schools
     emphasizing computer programming rather  than  computer
     science.


 >   { several submissions decrying the	calculus requirements
 >	  for Computer Science degrees }

 > Taking three	quarters (or more) of a	subject	you don't need at all is a waste
 > of time.  I knew I wasn't going to go into any field	where calculus was needed.
 > Non-scientific programming rarely needs a high degree of pure mathematics.  I
 > would have benefitted much more by taking more specialized computer classes,	or
 > even	some more general ed. classes.	I loved	math, until calculus.  It ruined
 > my college life.  It	made as	much sense to have to take those classes as it
 > would for an	arts major to take chemistry (you never	know when you might have
 > to make  your own paint) :-)	.
 >
 > People should make their own	decisions about	whether	or not to take calculus.
 > There might be some right-to-calc'ers out there, but	I'm definitely pro-choice.

-- 
===============================================================================
Bob Parnass,  Bell Telephone Laboratories - ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass - (312)979-5414