<p>Also starting a thread on this issue. As an engineering major with only AP Calc AB, is it advisable to start over with Math 155A or move onto math 155B? The eningeering registration materials seem to advise to move on to 155B and transfer out to 155A if it is too difficult. Bad idea? Good idea? Do we have a choice? Thank you.</p>
<p>The registration materials state:</p>
<p>"If you have earned a 5 on the AB calculus Advanced Placement test, you will automatically be awarded four hours of credit for Math 155A and you may start with Math 155B. </p>
<p>First-year students should choose a calculus course on the basis of high school background and AP, IB, or transfer credit awarded by Vanderbilt. The Department of Mathematics will evaluate student performance at the beginning of the semester and move students to a different level if warranted. If you find the course you have chosen too advanced, you may drop back to the lower level course without penalty during the first two weeks of the semester."</p>
<p>I know I posted about this on the other topic but:</p>
<p>Unless you’re uncomfortable with basic calc (which I doubt you are with a 5 on BC), I can’t think of a reason to take 155A. I mean, what would the advantage be? Starting with 155B means one less semester of weed-out basic calc and more free space in your schedule.</p>
<p>Pancaked, thanks again here too. I only have Calc AB (not BC). Again, don’t want to have an extra hard schedule, nor appear lazy. Would you skip Calc 155A if you only had AP Calc AB?</p>
<p>I have an additional question on this topic. I received a 4 on the AB Calc exam…as a sophomore in high-school. Since then I have taken Calc II and differential equations and I am very comfortable with basic calculus, but I don’t think Vandy takes 4’s on AB Calc. Is there anyway I could test out of the introductory calculus class? I am an engineering major.</p>
<p>I would move on to 155b unless you feel like you should start calc over from scratch. It’s just not worth suffering through 2 semesters of it if you don’t have to.</p>
<p>Hydroguy, because introductory calc is required for your major, I do not believe you can skip it without credit. Might be worth asking someone (engineering registrar or something).</p>
<p>When we talked to student services in the college of engineering, they told my son that during the first two weeks of class you can easily drop down to the math class below the one you are enrolled in. The Assistant Dean said if you don’t understand what’s going on, then make the change. Given that discussion, son will be using his AP credit for 1st year calculus (if he gets a 5 in BC as anticipated) and move directly to 2nd year math.</p>
<p>Go9ersjrh, my son also recently took the AP Calc BC exam. If they do not get the results until mid July for these exams how do you know which level course to register for in June? Also, is they were to get 5’s, which math class would that put them into, 155b? My son is in A&S and I am not sure if the same rules apply to him as the Engineering school.</p>
<p>With a 3 on BC calc, he can enroll in 155b.
With a 4, he can enroll in Math 175.
With a 5, he can enroll in Math 205.</p>
<p>He should gauge his confidence and register accordingly. Which class he should take depends on what is required for his major.</p>
<p>I would recommend enrolling in 155b, which will be the quickest to fill up during freshman enrollment. It would be bad to enroll in the higher level class and be stuck with an 8am class or something if he doesn’t get the score. There is an open enrollment period where he can upgrade to another math class, or he could just save it for another semester.</p>
<p>If he’s taking 15 hours or less, he could actually enroll in two courses and drop one once he gets his scores in.</p>