Considering a *slight* change of majors

[AbnormalBob]

Currently I am Biology/Secondary Education, and I was thinking I want to teach math instead...

However, I'm only in precalculus right now. Heh.

However, I'm taking precalculus, and I'm loving it. Even though its basic stuff, at this level you really get to see how well numbers work together and the real beauty of the system.

As of right now, I'll be done with math after precalculus, since I'm getting a BA and not a BS.

So I should really make a decision, like soon.

Anyhow, I was just wondering what you all think. I have no idea what I would expect in calculus I and higher, so *shrug*

[Kuky]

. o O ( heh we'll see what he thinks about it when he gets to Fourier analysis ) :D

Back in high school, I used to love chemistry. Then, when I took some further chem classes, I realized I hated it. Just a fair warning I guess :). If you want to teach things at the level you're learning them now, then you'll probably be required to KNOW them at a slightly higher level. Make sure you touch that level before making big commitments.

[Lone Wolf]

LoL, dude, I'm getting a biochem degree soon - and probably will do a bachelor in computational science (there's loads of numerical methods) for the exact same reason: I love the numbers :agree:

[sweet-one]

Why don't you continue on the path that you're going, but take calculus as an elective class next quarter/semester? You'll be able to continue taking classes toward your current major, but see how you feel about stuff in advanced math classes. It could use up some of your random electives, yes? Just a thought. :biggrin:

[IGemini]

There's a big difference between precalc and Calc I. Take it next semester and see if you can hack it before considering a major change.

[HurleyGirlie]

Why don't you continue on the path that you're going, but take calculus as an elective class next quarter/semester? You'll be able to continue taking classes toward your current major, but see how you feel about stuff in advanced math classes. It could use up some of your random electives, yes? Just a thought. :biggrin:



Yeah, I suggest that too.

[dtbmnec]

The numbers hate me in my math class.....and its only financial math for computer students....*eye twitch* I get to take it over again next year....

Megan

[split-and-confused]

this is really something you have to think about yourself. its your life and not everyone on here's. you should choose somthing that you enjoy doing.

[TylerDurden]

Ok I must be a little slow, but what the fuck is precalculus?

[AbnormalBob]

The theory behind precalculus is to teach you the concepts and tools you'll need to get through calculus.

[Jared]

I agree with IGemini et. al. - wait until you get through calculus before you make that decision.

[TylerDurden]

The theory behind precalculus is to teach you the concepts and tools you'll need to get through calculus.

So algebra? As in the stuff you do in high school?

If so... uh... calculus is different from that. Way different...for example... half my class couldn't seem to grasp the concept of limit->X..

[Kuky]

So algebra? As in the stuff you do in high school?

If so... uh... calculus is different from that. Way different...for example... half my class couldn't seem to grasp the concept of limit->X..

I agree, precalculus is stupid. They shouldn't have a class specifically called "precalculus", they should just teach you that material during all your math classes before calculus.

And limits, which are typically the first thing they teach, are the hardest-to-grasp constructs of calculus. Oh sure, learning how to solve silly vanilla limit questions is one thing, but actually understanding the whole theory is a different story. Imagine the old days, where you would enter your first university math class, and the first thing the prof wrote on the board was the epsolon-delta definition.

[AbnormalBob]

Meh. Yeah, I agree with you guys. I'm going to be talking with my math professor (who is amazing) after Thanksgiving break about this. I'm probably going to end up taking calculus next semester and try and get through calc II or III before fulling changing my major.

[Kuky]

Get some Diff eq. work in there too ;)

[Wolf]

If you start telling math jokes, your friends may never speak to you again.

[sunfrost]

. o O ( heh we'll see what he thinks about it when he gets to Fourier analysis ) :D


I'm a biologist and my phd consists of Fourier Analysis, Wavelet Analysis, some geostatistics, Principal component analysis (with or without some fourier and wavelets thrown into the ring), Fractals etc. etc... Anyway... time enough to learn in all, although I've had enough for now... I've been behind books for a month now to get up to speed. And these techniques are things you certainly won't need in your secondary education major. Anyway... have fun *sarcasm*

[Kuky]

That's probably true, I don't actually know how much deeper you have to go in the theory than the level of the courses you will be teaching. I guess "just enough that the odd smart student won't be able to trump you."

[AbnormalBob]

Well, I'm still going to have to actually complete the major I believe.

But for all intents and purposes when I'm done with my degree, I'm probably only going to have to remember up through, say calc II probably.

[Kuky]

Assuming we're using the same definitions of calc 1/2/3, calc 2 is the most fun.

[yablink3d]

Well I dont think I'd worry too much bob. Atleast in my college here you only need to take up to calcIII which isn't bad at all. Which would mean that you miss out on ODE's and PDE's and linear alg and all that other fun stuff.

I think I'd say try calcI if it's still easy stuff then go for it. If you can't get through calcI easy enough then it might not be for you.

[Kuky]

linag kicks ass though. Even the more advanced vector space/null-space stuff :).

[The Original Taco]

Wow, um...if you're really dedicated to math, you're going to need to cram in a lot of learning into a small amount of time. But...this is your future, so...I don't really think anyone here can help you decide what to do.