Is Math the Main Challenge in Computer Science for Late Starters?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a new university student in computer science who is struggling with the math-heavy curriculum after a five-year gap since high school. The student expresses a desire for support and acknowledges the challenge of competing with younger peers who are more adept in mathematics. Other participants share their experiences, emphasizing that computer science involves significant theoretical and mathematical concepts, not just programming. They recommend online resources like Khan Academy and MIT Open Courseware for math practice. The conversation also includes light-hearted banter about a tradition involving favorite fish, which serves as a humorous welcome ritual within the forum community. Overall, the thread highlights the challenges of transitioning back into academia and the importance of seeking help and utilizing available resources.
lalapnt
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
hi guys,
i'm new here. this year i started my university degree in computer science. i thought it was going to be more of programming. trust me, i was wrong! everything is MATH! and I'm not so good at it. i finished high school 5 years ago and now doing my first degree. all my math skill vapourised into space and I'm starting all over again. things are difficult but I'm hoping i can find some people to help me pick up. it's difficult competing with the fresh high school students. they know everything! all the trygnometry and proving stuff. i knew them once too but didn't use math for 5 years. so I'm no surprised.

well. I'm here to stay guys. at least till i finish my masters. and with time, i want to help other people as well.

my name is Emmanuel and I'm from Ghana. :D.

EDIT:

i forgot to mention i love math and physics btw.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Well, emmanuel!
You really have to tell us:
What is your favourite fish, before we welcome you here.
 
arildno said:
Well, emmanuel!
You really have to tell us:
What is your favourite fish, before we welcome you here.

fish?! :/
 
That is correct. Fish.
We can't open our arms in welcome for anybody, only those who say what their favourite fish will receive a PROPER welcome at PF! :smile:
 
but what's the connection with fish and math or physics? is this some sort of tradition or what?
 
You will find out! :devil:
 
arildno said:
You will find out! :devil:

haha...we'll see
 
Hi lalapnt. You had best be forthcoming with your favorite fish, these guys are relentless!

I was in the same boat, studying computer science with a long gap between high school and uni. I'm just about to finish my degree and I managed OK with maths although the learning curve was very steep in places. Practise your trig!

There are some great online resources to help you, I found these very useful along with the homework forum here at PF:

Khan Academy
Paul's Online Math Notes
MIT Open Courseware

Study hard, you can do it. :)
 
Hi lalapnt! Wezon! What part of Ghana are you from? I have been to Have, Ho, Accra, Cape Coast and several other small communities. I will be traveling back to Ghana in January to visit the friends I made there.

Welcome to PF! :smile:
 
  • #10
Saladsamurai said:
Hi lalapnt! Wezon! What part of Ghana are you from? I have been to Have, Ho, Accra, Cape Coast and several other small communities. I will be traveling back to Ghana in January to visit the friends I made there.

Welcome to PF! :smile:

hej...nice to see someone who knows my country! I'm very happy! haha. I'm was born in Accra and lived 24 years in accra :D.
 
  • #11
It is a very common mistake to think that computer science just deals with programming. That is completely false. Computer science is very math intensive and quite theoretical. Things like Turing machines, for example, are a very theoretical concept that is studied in computer science and doesn't seem very applicable in programming.
If you want to have more programming and more practical problems, then I suggest you do something like software engineering.
 
  • #12
lalapnt said:
hej...nice to see someone who knows my country! I'm very happy! haha. I'm was born in Accra and lived 24 years in accra :D.

Excellent! Are you attending school in Ghana? Keep working hard. The math can be difficult, but keep at it and ask a lot of questions here at Physics Forums. The people here are very talented and love to help :smile:
 
  • #13
Ahem... let's not forget about the favorite fish... :smile:
 
  • #14
jtbell said:
Ahem... let's not forget about the favorite fish... :smile:

Considering the thread it's most likely the fish that goes with chips

-chips-rubber-or-plastic-fishing-lures-and-computer-chips-in-a-yellow-paper-cone-with-a-17817091.jpg


source
 
  • #15
A bit crunchy for my taste... and too many bones.
 
  • #16
Welcome to PF lalapnt. I too am curious as to what's your favorite fish is?
 

Similar threads

How Can a Math Major Start Learning Computer Science?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Courses Advanced Math for Computational Material Science Engineering
Replies
2
Views
1K
What is computational physics and what is the best way or method to learn computational physics?
Replies
7
Views
1K
Hi! Excited to learn and share my knowledge
Replies
1
Views
452
A Wild Liru has Appeared!
Replies
3
Views
638
Studying Should I take up electrical engineering or computer science?
Replies
8
Views
4K
Other Is it too late to pursue physics?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Computer languages tend to be transient
Replies
44
Views
5K
Retired & curious
Replies
2
Views
513
Effects of LLMs on math learning, self taught or otherwise
Replies
10
Views
142

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top