<p>D. will go to PittStart next weekend and is thinking she'll major in mathematical economics. She recently took the AP Calc BC test and is pretty sure she'll get credit for Calc 1 (Math 220) and probably Calc 2 (Math 230) based on test results. She was thinking she'd register for Calc 3 (Math 240). However, just discovered from the math dept. website that, to graduate with honors, UHC 235 Variable Calc (a combo of Math 220 and 230) is required. Any thoughts on whether it would be better for her to forego the extra 4 AP credits she could get and take UHC 235, or forgo the honors designation and skip to Math 240? I'm thinking that the better route would be to take UHC 235 since the AP credit for Math 230 isn't even certain at this point.</p>
<p>I tend to agree with you. Just fyi, the kids I knew who took the honors math said it went at a dizzying pace. Most who skipped to calc 3 did not do well and regretted it. And these were all engineering students. The math dept has a grading system where you can’t get more than one letter grade different than what you get on the final, so hopefully your daughter is a good test-taker. Still, if she is comfortable with calc 1 and 2, she probably could do well in the honors combined class.</p>
<p>From my experience, there is not much value in skipping a class. There will be plenty of room for elective courses (well, not in engineering), and unless you get enough AP credit to graduate early, I don’t really see the point in skipping an easy freshman A to struggle in an upper level course. The kids will appreciate less academic stress while they adjust to living away from home.</p>
<p>This is a VERY personal decision and I am not a math major or anything. However, i know a few of them and these are my impressions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you really like math the honors classes (0235, a version of Calc III honors, and intro to analysis) are all great. They are quite difficult though unless you have a knack for it.</p></li>
<li><p>Many teachers of Calc I, Calc II, and Calc III are bad. I had a really bad Calc II class myself (never take Arryington). Some a quite good though i think (Athanas is good for example). I would seriously recommend visiting ratemyprofessors.com before taking any non-honors calc class (or any class for that matter).</p></li>
<li><p>If your daughter is serious about math then the honors classes are much closer to the kind of work that mathematics majors actually do (theoretical stuff). The calculus classes are much more useful for practical purposes like engineering. </p></li>
<li><p>If your daughter cannot handle the honors versions she will also not be able to handle upper division math classes. This isn’t even so much about experience or work ethic. Some people just don’t have the kind of mind to do math at this level. I myself don’t for example.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I appreciate both your very thoughtful responses. You brought up a number of points I hadn’t considered. From what you’ve both said, I’m convinced that Math 235 is the way to go. You make a good point, CuttingEdge, about being cut out for majoring in math or not. My daughter was able to hold her own this year in Calc BC AP, but recognizes that there are a couple of math “geniuses” in her class who grasp things more easily than she does. I think it’s better to find out earlier rather than later that your intended major is really not for you, and it sounds like Math 235 would be a means for her to discover whether or not this is what she wants to be doing.</p>