Programming career?

Since I was about 12 I've wanted to become a game programmer and now I'm coming to this point in High School when I have to schedule classes for next year and I learned that if you take Calculus I in High School you won't be required to take it in College. In order for me to be able to take Calculus I in my senior year of High School I'd have to take a summer math course this summer.

My question is do you think I should wait until I am in College to take Calculus I or just get it over with? And, do you guys recremend something other than Computer Science as a major to become a programmer (I know this might be stupid)?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
James

Here in Norway we don't have the same names for the math classes. So I am not sure what calculus is. Can you elaborate on that a bit. One thing is for sure. You will always need a lot of Math if you want to become a game programer. So you have to take it one day anyway. But you shouldn't feel like "getting over with it" becuase if you don't think it is fun, then you won't think that the actual programing of the games are fun either. All the movements in programming, and camera vies and stuff are programing, and a bit of "cheating" physics.

CS is probably a nice choise if you want to be a game programmer. Here in Norway, and I guess in USA too, there is private schools that offer game design, and game programming classes. That can be usefull too, but if you change your mind later on, and don't want to be a game programmer, then you are screwed with that kind of classes. Then CS is better. Thats the way I am doing it. I am 95%sure that this is what I want to do, but there is still a lot of years before I can actually aplly for a game programming job.

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If you don't like math, don't get into programming.

The main part of the higher level stuff (even graphics) is based on high level algorythms.

You can sometimes take a BA (Bachelor of Arts) that will be less math based and more practical, but the market is pretty lean now so I'd go for the BSc. (which means you'll be taking a lot of math in college no matter what).

I would recommend you take the summer course and high school level calculus to figure out whether it is something you will be able to tolerate.

If you find that you don't like the math component, a possible alternative would be an Information Science course, or more hardware based course, since math isn't used to the same extent in those.

Ok thanks for the replies.

I never said I didn't like math but what I meant was if I take it in High School it would be one less thing to worry about while I'm at college.

I was wondering what the difference of a BA or a BS would be after I graduate and am looking for a job. Which catagories would I be hired for?

Thanks,
James

hey guys,

i had a problem. i have been studying a course called "information system engineering" about 3 years, and will be gratulated soon next year. is the course major in programming too? as i know, the course provide those algorithm, maths, but not touching on the adv-math, such as calculation on the bits, etc. did you think that i can apply as game programmer ?

thanks

Probably. But it might happen that you don't get all the courses you have accepted. So it might happen that you need to take a couple more to go over to game programming. But if you ask them, you will get the best answer.


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Originally posted by NoteMe
... to take a couple more to go over to game programming. ...

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so it's mean that i should have to take extra course which is major in game programming?

From what I found, you need a BS to get into the game industry along with math skills.

Check out this book if you want to know more:
Get in the Game: Careers in the Game Industry

I would think any discipline along the lines of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering and Applied Physics would give you a good grounding in a programming future. None of these are really programming courses. But they do train you to think a programmer thinks.

Yes - all of them are full of mathematics - calculus, statistics etc.