<p>is it a bad idea to take linear algebra / differential equations after calculus 2 and then go back to multivariable? </p>
<p>i was planning on doing that since my major doesn't require multivariable. i want to take in the spring semester before i transfer so that it doesn't affect my admission to whatever school (assuming i get at least a C). </p>
<p>ideas/thoughts?</p>
<p>doable, but DE will be quite tough without Calc3 
Some schools have Calc3 as corequisite with DE, but Idk about yours xD
LA is abstract but not too bad.
Most people do it the reversed way, so I’m not really sure if it is a good idea or not, but if you have strong mathematical background then you won’t have much trouble with both courses at all.</p>
<p>It might be difficult to take DE before MVC since a good DE class will cover solutions of PDEs using the fourier series which will involve partial derivatives. However, if you’re motivated, you can just read up on the necessary concepts on your own.</p>
<p>i will most likely take mvc before DE/LA now. thank you guys for your responses. they were helpful :)</p>
<p>Some schools structure the courses to be independent of each other, but others list one as a prerequisite for the other. Check the school you are attending.</p>
<p>At Cal, Math 54 doesn’t require Math 53 at all. In fact, CS major pre-reqs don’t even include Calc3 :D. However, most (if not all) community colleges list Calc3 as a pre/corequisite for LA/DE so most students take it anyways. Plus, you can double with math/applied math, so that’s cool :D</p>