Think math (Score 3, Interesting)

As someone with applied math degress (CS, physics minor) turned software engineer, I'd like to respond to a few ideas presented so far.

"Math is vital to computer science"

Well, it's certainly important sometimes, possibly often. I used a lot of math writing a conversion library for 3D file formats, but not so much writing a user system in php.

Learning to think is what's really important. I got my first software job by explaining at the interview that my skills were in complex problem solving -- skill they had trouble teaching straight CS people they had hired.

"You really dont need much maths to write a shopping cart applications"

Possibly not, but... I taught applied calculus at a university for many years as a grad student and I always loved it when students asked me "When we I ever use this?". A seemingly silly question to ask in an APPLIED Calculus class to be sure, but the most important use was always that if payed attention, the course would give them problem solving and thinking skills that would help them advance in whatever field they chose. Bottom line: After school you may not remember the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, but the thinking skills will be invaluable.