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From: sed408@ihlpg.UUCP (s. dugan)
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Why take CALC (Blech!)
Message-ID: <734@ihlpg.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 2-Jul-85 10:03:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihlpg.734
Posted: Tue Jul  2 10:03:59 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 3-Jul-85 07:53:02 EDT
References: <199@rruxo.UUCP> <511@ttidcc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 38

> In article <199@rruxo.UUCP> vch@rruxo.UUCP (V. Hatem) writes:
>>What kills me is, after keeping up a very respectable average (even with the 
>>c's in calc [3 times in a row]), I was turned down by more than one school 
>>when I decided to continue my education! My GPA was well above the 3.5 needed,
>>but alas, MY CALC GRADES WERE'NT HIGH ENOUGH!!!!
>>
>>Any others out there plagued by such things???
> 
> In article <5110@ttidcc.UUCP> Mike writes:
> ...discussion about not having to use calculus once on the job, even though
> it was required to get the degree/job ...
>
> Given the above, what is the justification for forcing _everyone_ to  study
> calculus?

I have the same gripe.  It really galls me!  I got a BA in computer science
instead of a BS because of the calculus.  Now, I'm finding that 1) I can't get
anywhere in my job without it and 2) I can't go on to graduate school without
it.  I don't know of ANYONE in the areas inwhich I want to work that EVER use
anything more than algebra (if even that).  The justification I have been
given by several people (including professors) is that even though I won't
ever need calc., simply being able to do it shows a certain sophistication of
mind that is hard to detect any other way.  I'm not sure that I agree with
that, but I suppose that, for now, I must accept it.  I guess I look on it as
paying my membership dues.


-- 

Sarah E. Dugan
"One Day At A Time"

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