Question

My experience with computer science is limited to downloading Python, learning how to set basic variables, and learning the difference between syntax and run-time errors. Should I even attempt to go through this course if my math isn't quite up to par? I bought K.A. Stroud's Engineering Mathematics to improve

Answer 1

Try and give your best. Even if you decide to drop out st some moment, you will get some basics. On which you can build latter.
Check out projecteuler.net, there is lots of math based problems. For each problem is explained math foundation, and for most of them you don't have to know much math than that. Problems are designed to be solved by programming. It's a great excersise, when you run program which deals with realy big numbers and/or data structures, and wait, and wait, and wait... to finish. When you solve it, you can se other solutions at the forum, see where you did wrong with your aproach and try another optimised solution.
You can learn a lot ther.

Answer 2

I agree with pedja. There's no time limit on how long you can take to do this. Just go through the videos at your own pace, repeat them if necessary and work the problems. If you run into problems, there are plenty of folks here willing to lend a hand.

Sure, some of the problems will be challenging, but that just makes them more fun :)

One thing I've noticed with the mathy bits ... at least in the first few problem sets, they actually give you the equations and all the math you need to solve the problem. My best advice is "Don't Panic". Just copy the equations the best you can from what they give you, then work through the problem a little at a time. And, ask for help if you need it :)

If it takes you a week to solve a problem, well, then it was a week you invested in learning how to solve a problem and I'd be the first in line to congratulate you for perservering. There's no race here.