<p>^^ Probably learn differential equations very deeply. The stuff taught in an intro course in college isn’t that substantial, and there’s a lot of material out there. Learn deep probability theory – some disciplines need that. </p>
<p>But also, don’t overlook physics. Depending on what kind of engineering you’re doing, deep physics knowledge can be great.</p>
<p>mathboy98, Thanks. Do course like MV Calc, Diff Eq, Lin Algebra, discrete math be taken in sequence or can Diff Eq be taken as the next course after Calc BC?</p>
<p>Differential equations can be taught from many different points of view. I think a standard course in it can likely be taught right after BC Calculus, though some things about systems of solutions and stuff can be expressed a bit more nicely in a linear algebraic language.</p>
<p>18.03 has 18.02 as a corequisite, I believe - so you’re expected to know / be learning multi at the same time that you’re taking DiffEQ here.</p>
<p>^^Maybe, but 18.02 is completely unnecessary for 18.03.</p>
<p>^^ Yes, I mean I don’t know MIT’s specific courses, but I definitely think that commonly MV-Calculus is made a prerequisite for things it isn’t at all a prerequisite for, and at MIT I’m pretty sure you can ignore prerequisite charts if they’re not really accurate.</p>
<p>Where are you taking:
Linear Algebra, Multi variable calc, Diff Eq, Partial Diff Eq, Real Analysis, Fourier Analysis?</p>
<p>Is it at a local community college or something?</p>
<p>Florida International University. I’m not taking them all at at one time though. For dual enrollment you can only take two a semester, so I’m just going to take two this summer, two this fall, and MVC in school.</p>
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<p>You should take MV Calc and Lin Algebra BEFORE you take ODE’s. Linear Algebra and Discrete Math can be taken in parallel with Calc BC as they actually belong to a separate branch of mathematics.</p>
<p>^^At MIT, people take diff. eqn. before linear algebra, actually. Most people have seen the amount of linear algebra that is relevant for diff. eqn., anyway.</p>
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<p>The 18.03 syllabus includes systems of linear differential equations, which in turn requires knowledge of eigenvalues/eigenvectors and, actually, even knowledge of complex vector spaces. </p>
<p>In principle, I think it would be hard to study those topics without taking Linear Algebra first, but, from the assignments I saw posted on OCWR, the material is actually taught at a pretty elementary level (at least compared with similar undergraduate courses in Europe). So, I guess one could do OK without Linear Algebra, assuming he/she didn’t really care too much about UNDERSTANDING what they are doing, as opposed to just memorizing mechanical solution tricks.</p>
<p>the linear algebra used in 18.03 can easily be picked up on the fly. hell, 18.03 can easily be picked up on the fly. use that semester to take a real math class.</p>
<p>^the phreak has spoken.</p>
<p>S1 took MV/DiffEq before Lin Alg, but had picked up Lin Alg through lots and lots of programming, so by the time he actually got to the Lin Alg class it was mostly review. Once you’ve had BC Calc, you’re ready for Discrete. </p>
<p>S <em>was</em> thankful he had Lin Alg before getting to real analysis and heavy proofs.</p>
<p>no one cares</p>
<p>personally, I think 18.03, 18.06 and 18.02 should be combined - the material they teach could be covered in one class easily.</p>
<p>berkeley combines linear alg and diff equations into one class.</p>
<p>^^ Which I do not like. Lucky for me, I never had to take that course.</p>