Which Math Class is Best for a Computer Engineering Major?

[ironman1478]

Hello physicsforums

next semester i have a bit of an awkward schedule because i changed majors. this left me with in a strange spot where i can take another math class.

here are my choices
Abstract Algebra
pros
+i am pretty interested in it due to some exposure in linear algebra
+I have to take this class if i want to get a minor or a BA in Math in addition to my computer engineering degree

cons
-might be too difficult for me (i don't have too much exposure to proofs)
-I don't imagine its too useful for a computer engineer with a focus on CS, but that's not too much of a con
-professor wrote the book we are using. last time this happened i ended up just teaching myself the subject from a different book because i learned nothing at lecture since it was the book regurgitated back to us in an equally confusing manner (i didn't like the way the book was written).

sidenote: if i don't take this class now, i will just end up taking it in 2-3 semesters anyway, the other ones i might not however since the math minor doesn't require them, but it requires algebra

Number Theory
pros
+seems really useful since one of my interests is cryptography

cons
-dont know? i am not really sure what the class is like since I've never been exposed to it

Numerical Methods
pros
+generally a useful subject since it deals with both optimization and useful ways to use computers to do complex calculations

cons
-seems a little boring from what i have heard (not that big of a deal)
-could be very time consuming since there might be a lot of trial and error involved

-/+ not really a pro or con but it counts towards my engineering degree rather than my math and taking it would close off the possibility of getting a BA since i wouldn't have enough room for more math classes. not really a negative since in the end a minor or a BA is just a piece of paper.

right now i am leaning towards either abstract algebra or number theory since they seem a bit more interesting (at least abstract algebra). however i would prefer to take the one that is maybe a bit less time consuming since next semester i will be taking the max amount of units allowed and the other classes i am taking are going to be extremely time consuming from what I've heard from my classmates.

also i have another question, but this doesn't really have to be answered

is knowing a foreign language important? the reason i ask is because i switched from CS to CECS because CS required 3 semesters of foreign language, and from past experiences with foreign languages (italian) i was probably going to fail. so i changed to CECS which contains the entire CS curriculum but instead of 3 language classes i have to take 4 circuits and computer architecture classes, which is totally fine by me since i am interested in those subjects. will not knowing any foreign language bar me from grad school in CS or job opportunities, or is it not that important.

thanx in advance

 

[micromass]

If you think abstract algebra will be too difficult, then number theory will be for sure. Usually, you should already know abstract algebra before taking number theory. So I wouldn't take this yet.

In a first abstract algebra course, the prof usually assumes that you don't know so much proofs yet. So he will usually introduce you gently to it (but it can still be a rough ride even then). I'd say to just bite the bullet and do the algebra class. You need it anyway...

 

[ironman1478]

thanx a lot. i didn't know that you needed abstract algebra for number theory.

I guess i will be taking that :)

 

[20Tauri]

It varies by school whether you need algebra for number theory or not. At my college, you can take number theory after integral calculus/calc II, but it's just elementary number theory. It does get into some algebra-related concepts, but it approaches them at a pretty basic level.