<p>I took Calculus as a junior in high school. I loved the class, did well, and got a 5 on the AP Calc AB test. However, I will be attending Berkeley in Fall 2009, leaving about a 1 1/2 year gap from when I took the class to when I will be starting college. A lot of the material since then has slipped from the cracks and I don't remember much aside from the basics. It doesn't help that my school does not offer a worthwhile math-related class after AP Calc. So I did not take a math class this year (my senior year). The only class that I am taking this year that remotely involves advanced math is my trig-based physics class. So I was wondering, since I am an engineering major and will need a good foundation in Calculus, is it worthwhile just to retake the first-year Calculus class offered at Berkeley (I don't know what its called), despite the fact that I passed the AP test? My fear is that if I don't retake the class, I will start off with a weak foundation, possibly hindering my education.</p>
<p>Did anyone have the same issue or do any current/experienced engineering students have any advice?</p>
<p>Start with Math 1A. Yeah, it’s mostly nonsense for someone who already took Calc.</p>
<p>However, your other choice is Math 1B, which is a huge jump from Math 1A, let alone AP Calc. Since you haven’t touched Calc in a while, it’s probably a good idea to do some remedial work and brush up on the finer points of basic derivatives and integrations.</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and review your old calculus book, and just take 1B. I think if you pull that off, it’ll give you some confidence in your ability to study by yourself. </p>
<p>You can find an old 1A page, and try to go by what is there – do some of the homework assignments on the stuff you’re weak at. However, if you still feel shaky, you should do 1A, because you need to be comfortable with that stuff for sure.</p>
<p>Start with Math 1A, especially since you haven’t taken calc for a while. There is a reason why Math 1B is the most failed class at Cal: people underestimate their abilities in calculus. Plus, since you’re an engineer, Math 1A will give you a good background which will help when you have to take Math 53 (Multivariable Calculus).</p>
<p>Why would you take Calculus AB but not BC? Even if you didn’t have the class offered at your school, BC is so incredibly easy you shouldn’t need to have the class.</p>
<p>As an engineer (College of Engineering), Calculus AB doesn’t do much for you. You should probably take Math 1A.</p>