Computer Science student and need an advice with choosing math courses that helps my future career

News & General Discussion
1

Hi!

I am currently 3rd year majoring in computer science and minoring in mathematics.
I want to use my math ability to help my future computer science job.
The fields that I am interested in are software developer, game developer, or graphic developer.
Here are some information about me:

The math courses that I have taken so far:

  • Linear Algebra
  • Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
  • Differential Calculus with Applications
  • Integral Calculus with Applications
  • Elementary Probability

The math courses that I can take in this year:

  • Vector Integral Calculus
  • Computational Mathematics (Numerical Computing with Maple Program)
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Graph Theory
  • Complex Variables

I only can choose four courses from here.

Can you give me advise which four courses are good to take if I am looking forward to go that field?

Thanks,

2

I would drop partial differentials. Although in practice you have more then enough math already to make almost any sort of game you like.

But as a better option, why not talk to some previous years students and see which courses they valued.

3

Given that you want to make games you should beef up the statistics with a lot more including operations research, and you can add the 1st of a 2 semester beginning computer graphics set of classes. Also I know you must be done with your bunny classes by now but swimming and other sports or art and music oriented classes can help you keep from getting too bored with the same old subject matter all the time besides give you practical skills that might help you produce games later. No one is going to want to play a game of partial differential equations.

4

In my own experience, anything that has to do with Vectors or Vector math I would see as very beneficial. I am consistently working with vectors on almost a daily basis. But it’s not like you need an in-depth understanding of them…pretty much just the basics. Of course, anything beyond that would be icing on the cake essentially.

I envy those people that can do complex math algorithms and make something incredibly awesome happen on-screen :slight_smile:

5

Best thing to do first of all is to get to know yourself to eliminate a problem which will blight your entire life should you not tackle it now, get rid of it.

What is it you need to do?

You need to find and ascertain what it is that allows you to hand people, some you have never met or known, control of your future.

When you find out, get rid of it.

6

Does this include your advice too? :stuck_out_tongue:

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7

OMG He just asked us for advice on math courses… not which faith to follow!

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8

Yes… at least twice. If not four times.

9

LOL Then perhaps I stand corrected.

10

All four possible threads are mentioned in the link below. Two of them each are from two accounts with very similar names.

http://forum.unity3d.com/threads/any-suggestion-for-which-option-should-i-choose.357569/

11

I think probability and statistics would come in much handier for making games. I see a lot of games, even major ones have issues because they botch some basic probability issues.

That said, and ignoring your question :slight_smile: If i could go back in time, I would take more ecology, geology and history classes. Besides the obvious game-making skills, those three areas are very useful for making interesting games. Also a creative writing class depending on how small of a studio you want to work with.

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12

Physics classes are on my own personal list of what I wish I had taken. Though I do agree that knowledge of the first two would definitely be useful in procedurally generated games.

13

No. I’m not asking him to ask people to choose for him. I’m trying to show him that he can choose for himself.

It’s all to do with the purpose of the advice given.

14

To be fair he is asking for advice and not to choose the courses for him. Choosing the courses himself though isn’t necessarily going to produce better results as he doesn’t know what is or is not useful. If he did he wouldn’t be asking.