Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihu1h.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass 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