Mathematics

[Yenisei]

Geezer will probably suggest taking Discrete Math from TESC. The least expensive option may be your local community college.

The least expensive option for College Algebra is probably the Precalculus CLEP (Precalc is a prereq for calculus, in part because it includes trig) and for Calc I, it's CLEP, but check your school's CLEP acceptance policies.

Most likely the only Calc II and III options you'll have are your local CC or Ohio U's aformentioned CBE (for which you would probably need their Calc III and IV since they are on the quarter system).

[dcan]

Geezer will probably suggest taking Discrete Math from TESC. The least expensive option may be your local community college.

IIRC he said taking DM from TESC was essentially "here's a book, teach yourself, assignments due as scheduled." I haven't taken DM but from what I've seen of it (IIT videos FTW) I would think I would prefer a more interactive approach, e.g. from a community college. From what I understand it is heavy on proofs, and when learning something like that I think "coaching" is needed to really get it properly.

If taking it from TESC then perhaps getting books like this one would be beneficial: Amazon.com: First Course in Mathematical Logic (Dover Books on Mathematics) (9780486422596): Patrick Suppes, Shirley Hill: Books

I bought it because it got very high reviews and recommendations on a math forum (math overflow? can't recall) but I haven't had time to really read it yet. But it looks very good from what I did read.

[JDM]

For a CS major at FSU, CLEP would work for everything up to calculus (see FSU Admissions | Credit | CLEP Credit and http://www.cs.fsu.edu/current/undergrad/flowchart.pdf). Unfortunately the calculus CLEP counts as business calculus, not engineering calculus (i.e. as MAC 2233 and not as MAC 2311), so it might not work for the CS program.

I don't know anything about the UMass program, but someone else may be able to help there.

[Yenisei]

IIRC, Geezer suggested taking Discrete Math at TESC because of grading on a curve. It's possible that my memory is faulty on that, and dcan's point about a more interactive approach being offered in a B&M environment is also a crucial one to take into consideration.

[dcan]

IIRC, Geezer suggested taking Discrete Math at TESC because of grading on a curve. It's possible that my memory is faulty on that, and dcan's point about a more interactive approach being offered in a B&M environment is also a crucial one to take into consideration.

Actually you might be right about the curve part. Been quite a while since I read his writeup on it.

But yeah, this isn't a course I personally would want to toy with. I'm a programmer, my 2-year degree is in CS, and my "expected" career progression is through a BS in CS, but I'm more interested in the management aspects now that I've been around it for almost two decades. Although I plan to teach myself discrete math for my own continual learning, if I were to take it "for real" then I would want to do it properly and make sure I really learn it. It is a foundational course for really working with algorithms and other more advanced CS concepts because it trains you in the logical thinking required.

I would go so far as to say, if I were taking CompSci, discrete math, data structures, and algorithms are probably the three courses I would definitely want to take in-person, simply because those three are what you will really be paid for after you have the degree. Anybody can learn to write code, but not everyone can write code that actually solves problems. Solving problems is what you are paid for, and discrete math is about finding ways to solve problems.

[skyfall123]

I think that both Yenesei and Dcan have given solid advice as usual. I spoke with my son and gave him the "what if you could do it over scenario" as far as the courses within the BA CS degree and how it prepared him for FSU. He said that the most critical component is a thorough understanding of Calc I and Calc II (Intregal and Differential Calculus). He played a lot of catch up with those. Discrete at TESC was good because the mentor he had was an older math based prof (Kohn). If you know that you are going to go to FSU and you are going to pursue the BS CS then consider taking Data Structures and Algorithms from them. Algorithms is their ABET capstone course. Really tough.

The FSU BA CS does not require the Algorithms course. I think my son was right in getting the BA CS from TESC then getting into the FSU Masters. His TA position includes free tuition so the two leveling courses he has to take are free.

I would say if you want a BS CS then FSU. The alternate route is BA CS from TESC to FSU Masters.

Good luck whatever you choose!

......and if you are younger and want a B&M experience then definitely get into FSU and take advantage of the scholarships/funding/grant money) 90% of the CS Grad students are funded.