Off topic but I need to know

[Opus89]

Hello,
I'm in sort of a dilemma pertaining to calculus and since this is a math forum, this is the only place I thought it might be appropriate to ask. I am in the process of taking pre reqs at a community college, pre reqs that are going towards my major of computer engineering. I have heard that some engineers use tons of calculus and I have heard that some rarely use it at all. I have done decent In Calc I. I think I pulled out an A in there but there are still some things that I don't really understand. I am pretty proficient with derivatives and integrals but then there are the more obscure things like riemann sums etc that I was never able to really pick up on. I have to go all the way through Calc 3 and differential equations and my main question is, for the engineers that do use calculus, do they have to remember and utilize every little theorem and part of calculus that their professor talked about from calc 1 through calc 3 or is it the main points and fundamentals that are most useful? I just don't want to get a job years down the road, and have to do calculus involving some obscure process that I never really understood in the first place. So my question is, if I have a pretty good grasp on the basics, should I be ok?

Thanks for your time and if there is a more appropriate place on the forum for this, don't hesitate to move it.

Thanks again.

 

[wjm11]

… for the engineers that do use calculus, do they have to remember and utilize every little theorem and part of calculus that their professor talked about from calc 1 through calc 3 or is it the main points and fundamentals that are most useful? I just don't want to get a job years down the road, and have to do calculus involving some obscure process that I never really understood in the first place. So my question is, if I have a pretty good grasp on the basics, should I be ok?

My personal experience is that most engineers do not use a lot of calculus on a regular basis. However, it is important to understand the basic principles and be able to do some calculus every now and then. Consider, too, that no one is going to stop you from grabbing your calculus books, if necessary, to review a particular analytical method/formula. The only question is can you do it when you need to.

Furthermore, there are hundreds of different types of jobs that engineers do. They all use differing amounts of calculus (sometimes none). Certainly, engineers must have good over-all facility with mathematics. However, I recommend you not let calculus (since you already achieved an A in your first class) be a major criterion in deciding whether or not to pursue and engineering career. If you “have a pretty good grasp on the basics,” you’ll do fine.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I suppose you know there are differences between computer ENGINEERING and computer SCIENCE. I know because my son has a degree in computer engineering and my wife has a degree in computer science.

Computer engineering is very much related to electrical engineering. In that field, to get through four years, you NEED thorough understanding of multivariate calculus,Gauss's theorem, etc. Fpor practice - not that much.

In short, to get through four years of computer ENGINEERING, with decent grades, you'll need to use calculus a lot. In practice - not that much. But the stuff that you'll be using are based on calculus. You'll not be using calc. everyday.

Engineers are problem solvers. Their thought processes are shaped by taking these "theoretical" courses. it is somewhat like, football players doing weightlifting in the gym. They are never asked to lift 300 lbs barbell in the field - but surely helps in pushing off those 350 lbs offensive linemen barreling down at them.

 

[Opus89]

Thank you both so much for the replies. And I am going for a computer ENGINEERING degree. Something that I have always been told too was that even if I'm a little unsure of how to do something in the workplace, something involving calculus, there will be co workers there who will be able to help me out. Again thank you both so much for the input, it's been a real confidence booster.

Thanks again.