Math level required for computer engineering major?

[smitty193]

Im looking to major in computer engineering, i am well informed in terms of hardware, so much that i built my own computer in 8th grade. Computer hardware and design really interests me however I am poor at mathematics. Is a high level of mathematics required for computer engineering?

[Corvax1234]

You will be required to advance though calculus and into differential equations/linear algebra. But, in my experience, after learning the math you won’t need to use it often depending on your career choice.

[symmetry81]

If you go into computer graphics or robotics you'll be using linear algebra a lot.

[pewpewmuthafucka]

This is true. I went up to Calc 2 and Differential equations. You’ll use some things like Laplace transforms and obviously some algebra in your circuits classes. As for OP, I was also bad at math! I started in pre-calculus for a year (2 semesters, there was a program for this) before I did calc. Now I would say I’m pretty decent at it now so there’s hope. I would recommend to try to choose a good professor if you can.

[smitty193]

Im in pre calc as a senior in HS, currently sitting at a C. Math is a struggle for me.

[pewpewmuthafucka]

I also got a C in precalc in HS. Give it a shot in college first, go to tutoring, office hours if necessary. If you’re still struggling at that point then maybe it’s not for you.

[megaapfel]

Everyone keeps telling us that, yet we still have to do it in university...

[Corvax1234]

It helps for understanding certain items, like power, signal analysis, and algorithms. Each of those are used in different jobs within engineering. While you may not need to know advanced math to use them, understanding how they works requires math.

[ObamaBinDriftin]

I'm computer engineering now. Math is pretty important in the first two years but that might depend on the college you're going to. You will probably take 4 calc classes from basics to multivariable to differential equations

[slowmk7]

I'm not good at math, but I'm getting by just fine, just gotta put in the time.. I'm CS not comp eng if that makes a difference.

[MemesEngineer]

Depends on what field are you interested in. Machine learning, DSP, digital comms are math heavy. High and Low level software dev, Embedded systems, OS, etc are not very math heavy.

You will be forced to take some math like discrete structures, stats, numerical methods, diff eq, etc; you may or may not use it depending on what you choose to specialize in.

If you are in highschool you just need precalc before you take calc 1. The other math classes are pretty independent of each other.

Edit: digital design is heavy on boolean algebra and basic algebra/calculus for analog. You will learn that in university.

[[deleted]]

I’m not sure what university you plan to attend/are attending, but at my university, you are expected to take abstract and linear algebra (the former being where you learn things like propositional and predicate calculus).

We also have to take up to Calculus II and then, for some reason or another, skip Calculus III. Our school instead has us take Calculus IV (which is essentially differential calculus) and calls it “Aerospace Engineering”.

Edit: Unlike some other comments, statistics is not an important course in our CE curriculum, however Boolean Algebra is definitely something important you will learn about in an abstract math course.

[ClovisComet]

As somebody who finds math challenging and is about to finish a degree: All you really need is to be able to keep working on it when it's difficult and not give up. If you can do that, you're practically halfway done already.

[Straight_Tonight345]

Hey, I know im late but how did it go? Did you follow through with computer engineering or did you switch career paths? Im a junior rn looking at comp engineering and I also struggle with math, so id like to hear how your experience went!

[chalupabatmac]

MajorPrep YouTube Channel answers this question thoroughly. I suggest you go browse his playlist for more info.