Computer Jobs #2

After seeing MechWarrior's post concerning computer jobs and such, I thought I might ask a few questions as well. I'm 17 as of 12:00am today, and a junior @ the Louisiana School for the Maths, Sciences, and Arts (aka LSMSA - basically the only sign of intelligent life in Louisiana! j/k! ;] ). I'm planning on taking math courses up to Advanced Calculus (2 course-levels above Calculus B/C at my school) and at least 4 more computer classes (C++ 2 - "Data Structures", C++ 3 - "Numerical Methods", Intro. Java, Intro. Visual Basic). I've taken an intro to C++ this semester and really liked it. My big questions are physics related mostly, as after high school I'm thinking of maybe doing a computer hardware/software type double major or major/minor PhD if I can put up with college that long.

Anyway: next year I'll be able to take physics, and second semester I'd be able to take 2 out of 4 electrical courses. The only drawback is that I'd have to sacrifice either computer courses(Java/VB/C++ 3) or math courses(Multivariable Calc/Differential Equations/Advanced Calc).

SO! the question is: would basic introduction-level electrical-circuts-type courses be better to comp sci. college departments than having insane calculus courses and a wealth of computer course background?

Also 1 more question: Do you guys know of colleges (besides MIT & CalTech) that have a good comp sci. department? Money is not a huge question as the only way I'm going to college is on scholorship/bank loan anyway, and at this point in life I would not mind paying back a large loan for school.

Any advice/tips are appreciated!

~Chris

*Goes off to check out the VapoChill cases for the 1 millionth time*

Holy crap dude! I wish I went to a high school like yours. My question is: Will you be able to get college credit for your courses? If you do get college credit then take as many intro and basic courses as you can. Basically, whatever you would take your first two years in college. If you don't get credit then just take whatever you want. I would suggest taking at least one circuits/EE-like course just to see if you like it.

You already have more specialized courses then anyone knew in high school of met in college. So, I don't think you should worry so much about what colleges want because your classes already exceed their expectations. You will probably have to take most of them over again anyways. Just take a variety of classes so you know exactly what you want to do. Don't do what I did... I am majoring in Mech.E with minor's in math, physics, and CS just because I couldn't make up my mind. It wasn't until spring semester my sophmore year, when I took electro-magnetism, that I decided I didn't want to do the EE/physics dual major program. So now I have about 50 credits that I'm trying to apply to minors and technical electives so that they aren't useless.

As for other good schools... I would suggest you also look into Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, Berkeley, and Virginia Tech. Hope this helps.

to summarize, the physics course in my high school was near useless, it could be done in a month or just some basic reading on aside -- I'd say take Calculus first(it helps in math, physics AND comsci, Comsci second, Physics third...
but again, depends on a highschool...
Good luck! :-)

To do PHD you will need that calculus ... but electronix more usefull for everyday life .
Try Bar-Ilan Univercity ! (-:

Get the math done. It'll make the rest easy. A real physics course will require all that math anyways, so don't screw around with a watered down, lack of math, physics course. Taking an introductory, non rigorous electronics class isn't going to do you any good either since it'll give you an illusion of what circuits aren't. Read a basic book for that and move on. It's far better to take the math first and then take real solid courses afterwards. Maybe it's my lack of faith in our highschools, but if I were you I'd take all these courses at a junior college. If you take them at a highschool it's most likely going to be a waste and you're going to have to retake them all.

What you need are good programming classes, the two semester basic calculus sequence, the 3rd semester multivariable calculus with all the cool 3D modelling, linear algebra, and elementary differential equations. Anything beyond that is not going to do you any good and will be gravy. Advanced calculus is mostly proofs so don't bother with it. Once you've finished the first year of calculus you could take a basic circuits class, but the real deal isn't going to be until you've already had the freshmen e/m physics class and can take a solid electronics course at a 4 year university.

To answer your question though, take the math and the programming. The electronics should come after the math and physics. Otherwise you'll find yourself taking a lot of wasted courses.

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

What are you talking about?

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

That is kind of funny.

It didnt go to waste though. I got a lot out of that. I know that the foundation in electronics I have is good, but its interesting to find out how it wont do me any good in the near future. I think everyone should know some basic electronics. It really does come in handy, whether you want to rewire a lamp, or make an alarm for your door. Or someone elses, hah. I will never tire of April fools.

That was good. I think Im going to start checking the dates on posts now though

Holy [-peep-] I just looked at the date on this thing!! Nice one Pike!!

Blah, Blah Blahh, Blahh, blahh blah blahh, blah blah.

dh falls: the forum trembles
is he really that overweight

Are we really ready for "contact" ?

Me and my big mouth?
Ok! I've got a hold of myself, shoot

Are we really ready for "contact" ?

Hey! dh, we pulled in another star.
We've got a genuine black hole forming in this thread.
Oh! By the way, just realized what you meant by "I need help".
Come come now, you do now we are on the same side do you not.
Someone from the most troubling "incest" thread mentioned "agreing to disagree" and that does seem to be a wise statement.
Also I do enjoy, and yes, look forward to your responses.
Just joking about the forum trembling


Danny

Are we really ready for "contact" ?

Totally agree. I've been down the no degree road at first and it was hell. Then at 36 or something i went back to college for a "official" degree. Best move of my life. Society is just built up this way, run with the wind, go with the flow, [-peep-] like the pope u know ...

Are we really ready for "contact" ?

cool when im 26 im going back to school to pick up young girls.. and piss the guys off

<font color=red>im a boring old fart and a drunkin bum. </font color=red>