Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

What Math Courses Should We Teach CS Students?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the too-much-or-not-enough dept.

Coryoth asks: "If you're taking computer science then getting as much mathematics as you can is probably a good idea. Ultimately, however, there are only so many math courses you an squeeze in. Given that, what areas of mathematics should we be teaching CS students for maximum benefit? Traditionally university math courses are structured around the needs of the physical sciences and engineering, which means calculus is what gets offered. While a decent calculus course can teach a certain amount of formality in reasoning, wouldn't CS students be better served with a course in mathematical logic and foundations with its greater degree of formal reasoning and obvious connections to fundamental concepts in computer science? Are courses in abstract algebra and graph theory going to be useful to CS students? Should courses in category theory (yes, it applies to computer science) be required of students going on in theoretical computer science? In short — what areas of mathematics are going to be the most useful and most applicable to computer science students? What courses were of the most value to you?"

9 of 392 comments (clear)

  1. Re:computational statistics by jawtheshark · · Score: 4, Funny

    Indeed, 87% of all computer science majors have no clue about statistics....

    --
    Ahhh...the great dumpster continuum. Many a free computer will be found there. -- sowth (748135)
  2. Re:It realy doesn't matter by ObsessiveMathsFreak · · Score: 4, Funny
    Whichever branch of maths you follow it encourages logical thought.

    Except for mathematical logic. Those guys leave all semblance of logic at the door.
    --
    May the Maths Be with you!
  3. Re:computational statistics by LizardKing · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about the other 23%?

  4. Re:I liked oenology, personally by LizardKing · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, but there's a strong connection between onanism and the study of Computer Science.

  5. Re:It realy doesn't matter by 0racle · · Score: 2, Funny
    I have yet to use n-dimensional calculus in non-cartesian space for practical business applications
    Thats because your just a VP, management doesn't do anything for practical business purposes. Impractical maybe, but not practical.
    --
    "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
  6. Re:According to Ron Graham and Donald Knuth by Bright+Apollo · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is the Godwin's Law equivalent for this discussion topic. We're done here.

    -BA

  7. Re:It realy doesn't matter by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hence my sig :-)

    --
    Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
  8. Re:computational statistics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Also, they should be taught Latin. The plural of curriculum is curricula, not curriculae.

  9. Re:Some Math greater than Other Math by Aaron+Denney · · Score: 4, Funny

    > discreet mathematics.

    Yes, much nicer than the showy, obvious, and unrestrained mathematics.

    (The word you want is discrete)