On December 20 2010 12:47 Empyrean wrote: Wait, did you honestly just say ECE isn't as tied to math as CS is? It's different math, to be sure, but there's still a ton of math in ECE.
And yeah, that long post sums up CMU pretty well, from what I've heard from other people.
What, not really. To graduate in ECE at CMU you literally need to take the basic calc courses that all engineers need to take, and then like one basic proof related course, and then one really poorly taught math course that deals with diff eq/matrix algebra/simple complex stuff.
There really isn't a terrible amount of math in ECE, and if it is it's mostly for the analog part and signals. For digital, it's not math at all, aside from like boolean algebra stuff, which is ez. Trust me, CS has a lot more to deal with math, and it's not even funny how closely they are tied together. You still need to think logically to do well in ECE, but CS definitely has more proof based math and algorithmic related things.
Do you guys not even hit integral transforms and more advanced algebra/calculus topics? :O
Nope, or at least it's not required. You do later cover fourier transforms/series and z-transforms in a required signals course. Aside from that you just need to apply like diff-eq in solving transient circuits. But on the digital side there really isn't much. 3D calc isn't even required, although I took it for the easy A.
There's plenty of shit to do at CMU if you're willing. Booth, Buggy, Fence etc. have pretty much already been covered, and there's plenty of clubs wherever your interests may lie. They do have a big club exposition kind of thing where clubs sign up for tables and clutter and let people walk by and take a look at what their clubs have to offer towards the beginning of the year.
I have a decent number of friends in ECE; they don't seem to complain about the work as much as my computer science friends. This is freshman year though, and from my perspective, deceptively easier than what I had expected- I have no doubts it gets much harder. I am told ECE is one of the tougher, if not toughest engineering disciplines CMU offers (I'm thinking about Matsci right now, taking Intro ECE next semester; CIT declares their major March of their freshman year iirc)
I've went to spectate a few of CMU's SC team games; not a lot of people actually go to watch in person but there's quite a few players registered
It's definitely nerdier than most schools around these parts, but that doesn't mean you won't find 'normal' people here too. You will easily be able to have a social life if you want one; I found that my residence hall floor was where I found a number of new good friends. Living on campus isn't the best I'd hope for, especially the abysmal food, but it's not like a concentration camp or anything. Campus is pretty small but I prefer it that way. Very non-uniform buildings everywhere (they don't match at all lol)
It's also quite expensive to go here, but I'm a spoiled bastard so whatever xd You set your country as Taiwan, so if you're coming from overaseas I don't believe you'll be getting any money (financial aid) to go here either as an international student.
I enjoyed fall semester as a freshman, but hey, what do I know.
On December 20 2010 12:47 Empyrean wrote: Wait, did you honestly just say ECE isn't as tied to math as CS is? It's different math, to be sure, but there's still a ton of math in ECE.
And yeah, that long post sums up CMU pretty well, from what I've heard from other people.
What, not really. To graduate in ECE at CMU you literally need to take the basic calc courses that all engineers need to take, and then like one basic proof related course, and then one really poorly taught math course that deals with diff eq/matrix algebra/simple complex stuff.
There really isn't a terrible amount of math in ECE, and if it is it's mostly for the analog part and signals. For digital, it's not math at all, aside from like boolean algebra stuff, which is ez. Trust me, CS has a lot more to deal with math, and it's not even funny how closely they are tied together. You still need to think logically to do well in ECE, but CS definitely has more proof based math and algorithmic related things.
Do you guys not even hit integral transforms and more advanced algebra/calculus topics? :O
Nope, or at least it's not required. You do later cover fourier transforms/series and z-transforms in a required signals course. Aside from that you just need to apply like diff-eq in solving transient circuits. But on the digital side there really isn't much. 3D calc isn't even required, although I took it for the easy A.
Wow, I find it hard to believe that any engineering program, much less ECE, wouldn't require Calc 3 :/...especially at a school like CMU <_<
On December 20 2010 12:47 Empyrean wrote: Wait, did you honestly just say ECE isn't as tied to math as CS is? It's different math, to be sure, but there's still a ton of math in ECE.
And yeah, that long post sums up CMU pretty well, from what I've heard from other people.
What, not really. To graduate in ECE at CMU you literally need to take the basic calc courses that all engineers need to take, and then like one basic proof related course, and then one really poorly taught math course that deals with diff eq/matrix algebra/simple complex stuff.
There really isn't a terrible amount of math in ECE, and if it is it's mostly for the analog part and signals. For digital, it's not math at all, aside from like boolean algebra stuff, which is ez. Trust me, CS has a lot more to deal with math, and it's not even funny how closely they are tied together. You still need to think logically to do well in ECE, but CS definitely has more proof based math and algorithmic related things.
Do you guys not even hit integral transforms and more advanced algebra/calculus topics? :O
Nope, or at least it's not required. You do later cover fourier transforms/series and z-transforms in a required signals course. Aside from that you just need to apply like diff-eq in solving transient circuits. But on the digital side there really isn't much. 3D calc isn't even required, although I took it for the easy A.
Wow, I find it hard to believe that any engineering program, much less ECE, wouldn't require Calc 3 :/...especially at a school like CMU <_<
It's required for all the other engineering programs, except for ECE, lol.
Seriously though, looking at the material, you don't really need it unless if you're into physic stuff like electromagnetics and what not, which most people aren't very interested in for ECE.
On December 19 2010 07:35 teh leet newb wrote: DON'T COME TO CMU! At least not for CS.
I'm a third year CS student, and I already hate it. It was great at first, but as time went by, I found myself increasing dissatisfied. Here's why:
1. Academics - Lots of theory, very focused on research. Fine if you're into that stuff, but very hard and time-consuming. I'd say the biggest example is the effort:result ratio. In most majors, if you put in X amount of hours, you'll expect Y amount of return (like actually finishing an assignment). In CS (maybe ECE too, not sure), you can put in like 100 hours and still not understand the material => you fail. This mostly isn't the case for intro classes, but once you start taking higher level classes, you'll understand. 2. Social life - You can join as many clubs as you want; your social life will still blow in comparison to places like Duke, Stanford, state schools, Harvard, hell my friends at MIT are much happier. 3. Campus - Ugly, small, boring, parking is absolutely terrible, no dining halls. 4. No $$$ - CMU is hella poor, since our alumni giving rate is abysmally low. This directly translates into worse facilities and fewer opportunities. 5. Girls - There are definitely some attractive girls here, but overall, the stereotypes about CMU are true. Rating: D-
Some cool things that aren't actually that cool: 1. Booth/buggy - Having participated in both of these events as a fraternity member, I can say that they're basically a huge black hole of money and time. Although they're very unique to CMU, people waste thousands of dollars and countless man-hours every year to make it happen.
If you DO come to CMU though, major in IS (Information Systems). It's super easy compared to CS or engineering, you learn real-life skills, and you still get great jobs after graduating. Basically, only do CS if you really want to go get a Master's or PhD after and continue to do research/academia for your entire life.
You just ruined a lot of dreams here.
I prefer to see it as providing a different point of view
Honestly, I really liked CMU when I first started. Then every semester it just got worse
Oh, and I think people complain about the food more than they should; it's gotten much better over the past 2 years. Still can't compare to Duke though...
On May 16 2009 07:33 teh leet newb wrote: Just found this thread cus of bumps I guess. I'm doing CS @ CMU and it's pretty hard. It's very theory-heavy and requires a good deal of work, which I'm not too used to. I just finished up my freshman year and got my first C ever. It's a good environment though, and I'm glad I came here. A smaller campus means that you have much better opportunities to meet people and network. CS is also very prestigious here, so companies know that when they hire people.
On May 16 2009 07:33 teh leet newb wrote: Just found this thread cus of bumps I guess. I'm doing CS @ CMU and it's pretty hard. It's very theory-heavy and requires a good deal of work, which I'm not too used to. I just finished up my freshman year and got my first C ever. It's a good environment though, and I'm glad I came here. A smaller campus means that you have much better opportunities to meet people and network. CS is also very prestigious here, so companies know that when they hire people.
Haha, I was on the phone with him and he was talking about how he doesn't actually feel that's the case anymore XD
something I do every year :p glad you're excited to come to CMU. what major are you thinking? I'm a senior in CIT so I can prolly give you some answers if you have questions
EPT
