Comments are ALWAYS welcome!
Wow guy, I hope you do not miss such a thing again. Congratulations on beginning your upper level ed though! And please, take a non-caffeine nap when you get the chance. I'm sweating your lack of sleep! Sheesh.
Hmmm, sounds like an interesting course. It's probably theory, but about how much of what we all learn works. Though programming? That is the part that sounds daunting (or more so) to me. Enjoy it, at least when you get back into a more civil pace.
Doom,
Thanks, I appreciate your concern! This has, to some extent, been just life happening in an inconvenient manner, but ultimately it could have been prevented with a little focus and time management practice on my part.
Don't worry too much about my lack of sleep - I go through sleepless cycles on a fairly regular basis, though usually I don't try to jump start one like this.
So far, the course HAS been interesting. it leans heavily on discrete structures, which is my favorite brand of mathematics, so even though it's difficult in areas, it's difficult in a "here are the CHALLENGING puzzles to keep you working" kind of way. This is actually what I need from my classes. I can handle challenging - it the classes that substitute "long and tedious" for "challenging" that I have trouble with. Too much mindless drudgery and my ADHD kicks in.
Oh My Dear Lord... you are my long lost brother!
I had to laugh, as I read your response, and the above slipped from mind to thought to tongue. But, the thought comes from some very close similarities in our natures. Although, and in truth, I think though maybe not the "norm" or average by a long shot, we aren't alone. *Lord, have mercy on your people*
I just took my final yesterday, for my last engineering math class! I did very well, at least I knew each theory I was working with (and there was one problem I only happened to be able to do because of an odd occurrence, though I do know "how" to do it, just not what exactly to do).
Oh, that sneaking up and (slight) lack of foresight... I've been fighting myself over whether one really can change that. There is only so much energy to study, work, socialize, sleep, eat, etc. I really think most of us honestly do what we honestly can. On the other hand, my mind hearkens back to my Mother "helping" me to work. I dunno, but I believe you to be a dedicated, interested, hard worker, father and husband. If you got it all done, great.
I was curious about something which you might be able to offer insight regarding. My study partner suggested that, if he were I (with my large number of credits at and from the U., he would get a general 4 year degree (or some type), then apply for grad school. My goal is a masters, not a 4-year. What do you think?
Take care. I hope the season is blessed, that life leavens a bit, and that the sweet and sour spices of life leave you and your family full of the richness of life.
P.S. Oh, ok. I am unfamiliar with that branch of mathematics, however, I do concur with your take on course natures. I like to be able to understand the fiddle sticks first, then play as I may. The drudgery of some courses is so over the top that I swear, I bleed from my tear ducts from a mix of boredom, confusion, and frustration. I think the professor can make all the difference, truly.
I like my humorous writings - some of my best writing is humorous. However, some of my most humorous stuff is accidental - go figure.
Glad you did well on your engineering math class - what branch of engineering are you going into?
You're right to an extent that there is only so much one can do. However, I can legitimately say that I have room for improvement in the areas of focus and prioritization. Thanks for the words of encouragement though!
As far as your question goes, is he saying you should get a general degree as opposed to one in engineering or are you currently on a straight shot to master's plan and he's saying you should grab a B.S. on the way?
Odds are, you have dealt with some aspect of discrete structures already. It covers a wide array of topics.
Wikipedia has a nice overview:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Dis...ete_mathematics
If nothing else, you should at least have some familiarity with mathematical logic or proofs.
Doh! Actually, now that you point it out, everything we do regarding math is discrete, essentially. I suppose the reason I did not see this at first is that none of my courses have discussed it directly, only having heard the term in off-the cuff remarks by professors for the most part.
Now, what I mean when I say everything we do is discrete, I am not discussing the methods, only what the methods are being applied toward solving. Which usually (always, I think, but I am being cautious) involves systems of equations, contours, volumes, and graphs or as Wiki puts it... sets of numbers, countable sets, finite graphs so far. With the future looking even more so, with digital geometry, design theory, and set theory as definite areas of study (at least). Ha, I have discretely been learning discrete math. Still, I think your focus is enough different that it would be new to me. You must be learning how to develop computer solution systems, about the theories surrounding computer set solution systems, or something along those lines?
Oh, I am on an undergraduate track, currently. I am working to obtain my electrical engineering undergraduate degree. [My long term goal is a masters in engineering, to be applied to either (most wanted) R&D or (secondary) consulting work.]
Something along those lines. Right now, my class is looking at different types of algorithms and doing analyses of their efficiency (e.g. how do the time and resources used increased as you add data - linearly, geometrically, exponentially, etc...)
I got my assignment back - I scored an 86. If I had been more thorough and not had to rush through the stuff, I would have done better, but given the constraints, a "B" was pretty much what I was expecting.
As far as your friend's advice goes, don't take it! There is nothing wrong with getting a degree that is different from your projected Master's degree, but if they are different, they should at least be complementary - Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer science or something similar for R&D, Business, economics or finance for independent consulting.
Your friend is basically saying make it easy for yourself in the short term, but in this case, it would hurt you in both the long and the medium term.
An engineering degree has legitimate value - you have career options even while you are working for your master's. It will also help you in the classes you take! If your master's were in philosophy or history, I would say go for the general degree, but for engineering, you are NOT going to want to have to learn both what your master's level classes teach AND what it was built on!
It will also be there if your master's degree tanks on you (I know, not a pleasant thought, but it happens) and if, in the middle of everything, you shoot off into some other branch of study, odds are, your engineering degree will add value to the Master's (or Phd) you end up with.
As far as having a degree that helps you with your master's, I can't emphasize enough how important that is! And I'm not talking just about the facts and figures here either. I'm talking about the thought processes you will need to be used to by the time you take graduate level courses. There is a reason engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians etc. seem weird. They don't think like normal people - in many cases they were like that before, but the fact still stands that the thought processes needed to work out an engineering solution, a mathematical proof or some other highly technical exercise in logic and reasoning are COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than those needed for pretty much anything else you do.
Of course, the above is all just my personal opinion. 
Yes, I think I have a very good idea about what you are doing. It does sound interesting, though I probably will not study that. I sometimes have to remind myself to stay focused. Oh, and thank you for your service. I thought I should definitely get that in.
It sounds like you and I are in agreement regarding my degree track. I only wondered because of my friend's thoughts. He is in a different boat, having worked as an engineer for 20 years (without the degree and thus the pay, which is why he is going to school). It is, perhaps, opinion. But I think it rests upon a solid foundation. Thanks.
Yeah, I sort of think of engineers, physicists, and mathematicians as science monks with different areas of interest and focus (Jim uses the snake and crane method to solve sets, while Bob uses the tiger and willow, ha). We are different, and from each other, but have a general problem solving gene set in common, or something else innate. I differ in that I am extremely English/language based. I score better than my math and science in language, but I get the shivers and go into a cold sweat when pondering a degree in that area.
Have you ever met someone that other geeks call a geek? hehehe Oh well, it happens. My language skills allow me to be a little more mainstream, or at least to seem that way, mostly.
I've met a few of them - both the "tech/science guru" everyone turns to kind and the social misfits that make nerds look bad.
I can dome across as well rounded too - until I meet an "interesting problem," of course
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