2 ms·

We teach math (I do) to instill on Engineers the concepts of derivative and integral. That is all there is to "math" for an Engineer. The fact that we teach "v

We teach math (I do) to instill on Engineers the concepts of derivative and integral. That is all there is to "math" for an Engineer. The fact that we teach "vector calculus" and "differential equations" is just taking the above to the extreme and enabling them to understand the physical problems they find. At least, that is how I see it. Which, as I see it, is what enabled Newton and Leibniz to understand the physical world as they did. And Einstein, by the way. Just differentials and integrals. No more. No less.

ColinWright 13y ago
So no combinatorics? Graphs? Topology? Logic? Groups? Just calculus.
- pfortuny 13y ago
  Well, as I said, I teach to Engineers. I should have said 'Civil/Mechanical...' They need discrete mathematics very seldom and (I should have said this as well) I prefer their grasping the derivative well rather than being able to understand graphs etc. So, yes, I try to focus more on what you call 'just calculus' which, as I see it, is what made modern physics possible. Not that I despise Topology, Algebra or whatever (I am an Algebraic Geometer) but (I insist, I teach to Civil/Mechanical Engineers) I understand they need to know what a derivative is much more than graph theory, groups or Topology. And not only Engineers but most people (apart from those, which are a singularity, needing discrete mathematics) only need to know arithmetic and the notion of relative increment and cumulative addition (derivative & integral). Graphs etc. are cool but mostly useless in real ordinary life. I love Bourbaki's Topology, Grothendieck's Scheme Theory and the like. However, I tend not to inflict them on anyone who does not require them. "Just" calculus would make Newton, Leibniz, Gauss and Einstein smile (I am not trying to be paternalistic, only realistic). Edit: I have just read your profile. I understand you know much more about discrete maths than I do (and obviously, its applications). However, it is difficult to find a real need for discrete maths in people who shall mostly deal with mechanical and electrical problems. Of course, it would be rather different if I taught to CS undergrads. But then, the question has many aspects. I dealt with my present environment.

ColinWright 13y ago

So no combinatorics? Graphs? Topology? Logic? Groups? Just calculus.

pfortuny 13y ago
Well, as I said, I teach to Engineers. I should have said 'Civil/Mechanical...' They need discrete mathematics very seldom and (I should have said this as well) I prefer their grasping the derivative well rather than being able to understand graphs etc. So, yes, I try to focus more on what you call 'just calculus' which, as I see it, is what made modern physics possible. Not that I despise Topology, Algebra or whatever (I am an Algebraic Geometer) but (I insist, I teach to Civil/Mechanical Engineers) I understand they need to know what a derivative is much more than graph theory, groups or Topology. And not only Engineers but most people (apart from those, which are a singularity, needing discrete mathematics) only need to know arithmetic and the notion of relative increment and cumulative addition (derivative & integral). Graphs etc. are cool but mostly useless in real ordinary life. I love Bourbaki's Topology, Grothendieck's Scheme Theory and the like. However, I tend not to inflict them on anyone who does not require them. "Just" calculus would make Newton, Leibniz, Gauss and Einstein smile (I am not trying to be paternalistic, only realistic). Edit: I have just read your profile. I understand you know much more about discrete maths than I do (and obviously, its applications). However, it is difficult to find a real need for discrete maths in people who shall mostly deal with mechanical and electrical problems. Of course, it would be rather different if I taught to CS undergrads. But then, the question has many aspects. I dealt with my present environment.