Hello!
I will be a sophomore this year majoring in Computer Science. Having always been fairly weak at math (I got a B in Calc 1), I have yet to take the required Calc 2/Linear algebra courses for the major. Would it be okay to take Linear Algebra (the non engineering version) before Calculus 2, or would not having the knowledge from Calc 2 be detrimental? I realize that taking Linear Algebra sooner rather than later is probably a wise choice considering my major.
Also, any opinions on the difficulty of the two aforementioned courses?
Thank you!
I think Calc 2 needs to come first before linear algebra.
Do your pre-reqs allow you to take linear algebra before Calc II? Like the above post said, usually Calc II comes before linear algebra.
However, if you can take it before Calc II or concurrently, I would say go ahead and do it. Linear algebra uses little, if any, calculus, so you don’t need to worry about missing certain topics.
Yes, pre reqs at Cornell are 99% of the time not enforced. I’ve been reading a bit this morning about linear algebra and it seems that consensus is that it has little to do with Calculus. I just don’t understand why Cornell lists two semesters of Calculus as a prereq.
Calc 2 first, you will understand how to think differently. Use that thinking towards Lin Alg.
Linear algebra does not require calculus, but its concepts are often applied to calculus. Taffies1 is right in that a solid foundation in calculus will help you in linear; I went in with calculus I and II and multivariable calculus already done, which made it much easier.