<p>I'm trying to decide what calc 3 course to take, and I've seen that there are 3 different courses 215, 255, and 285. I'm pretty sure that 285 is full and I can't get into it, and 255 is only offered during the winter so, should I take the regular calc 3, or should I wait to take 255 in the winter, simply taking intro to cryptology or some other course in the fall semester? Also, what are the main differences b/n the 3 courses?</p>
<p>285 is actually not closed. They'll explain it to you at orientation.</p>
<p>You need an override.</p>
<p>no, you don't need an override. It's some stupid **** that they don't explain to you. Basically, if you're in honors, only section 1 is closed for 285.</p>
<p>215: like a continuation of high-school math. The aim is computation and finding numerical answers to problems. Calculator (TI-83) necessary. Computer lab goes with course. Applied. You can think of this as a continuation of your AP course: the regular stuff. If you're given an equation/formula, you can use it without question. Example: Find the derivative of ______. You give an answer and that's it.</p>
<p>255: for science and engineering majors. Half theory, half computational/applied. Not too familiar with this sequence. There might be a lab. Not sure.</p>
<p>285: honors. It does some computation, but emphasis is on theory and proofs. So the goal isn't really coming up with an answer on your calculator like 215. It's more like proving your equation/formulas.</p>
<p>This is the most I know about the differences. There are probably people who can make a better comparison.</p>
<p>Don't take 255 unless you're going into science and engineering. Why doesn't anybody believe me when I say that you can do just about anything you want at Michigan if you give it enough effort? If there isn't a waitlist, then there's no such thing as a "closed" class. They often close a class as a precuation and later open it up and all you have to do is ask about it, or even if it's filled, you can usually email the prof and tell him/her how much you really really want to take the course and they'll let you in. Come on guys, let's see a little ambition.</p>
<p>I'm an engineering major but I signed up for 215, am I in trouble here?</p>
<p>No, most engineers take the regular sequence because it's the least theoretical. It's purely computational and involves application-based problem solving, and there's even a computer lab part that goes with it, which is good for engineers. Once you're in 215, you'll notice that most of your classmates will be engineers. Even when I took 116, I was only one of 3 LSA students in the class. The rest were engineers.</p>
<p>The applied honors sequence is also good because I still think theory is important in the engineering workplace. I heard from people in the field that once you know the theory behind the formulas, you can work the numbers out better. The applied honors sequence is also suited for chemistry and other science majors.</p>
<p>Math majors tend to go theoretical. The ones that are very good would do the Honors Math sequence (not to be confused with the Honors Calculus sequence).</p>
<p>For engineering, I wouldn't recommend one over the other (applied honors and regular).</p>
<p>the engineering advisors tend to look at LSA honors classes in disdain...i told a peer advisor last year that I wanted to take physics 160 and he gave me a weird look...i have also tried to take 285 and 286 but they made the process extremely difficult and b/c of timing issues, i was stuck with regular. </p>
<p>I would avoid regular calc 3 and 4 at all costs. you really don't learn anything, other than how to be a robot and work through a recipe. i happened to get an A+ in diffy q last term and still don't know what exactly I learned. I have no idea behind how laplace transforms work, i still don't know what causes nonlinearity, and matrix algebra is still a mystery.</p>
<p>my advice: take theoretical...even if ur an engineer. the stuff u learn in regular u won't be using in engin anyway...it's extremely watered down and u forget the recipes they teach u anyway. u might as well learn the theory...u'll get enough experience with application over the next 3 years.</p>
<p>and for anyone that's curious, the past exams are posted on the math lsa course website...seriously, some of these questions are completely pointless and test no skill other than ability to work through a recipe</p>
<p>also, the other benefit of honors is meeting other smart, motivated people and building closer connections with other people...that's why I liked honors orgo II...whittled the class size down by nearly 70%</p>
<p>cherry, do you have any idea why honors courses are looked upon with disdain by engineering? I mean, if anything this supposedly "smarter" kids should want to challenge themselves in whatever LSA classes they have, right? I guess I'm not understanding why they view honors as they do. Maybe they feel threatened.</p>
<p>I guess you can say they feel "threatened"...the general feeling I get is they don't want LSA classes intruding upon engin classes. They want every bit of the student's attention focused on engin, and LSA honors may detract from that.</p>
<p>I also wanted to major in philosophy and my advisor basically said no and was very uncooperative...("u want a philosophy major?!!...don't u mean philosophy minor?")</p>
<p>And the peer advisors all snap back at you when u tell them u want to take honors. I think that they just want their engin students to look good on grad school applications (high engin GPA), and fear LSA honors courses may take away from that.</p>
<p>I mean, engin courses are hard, but they def seem to have an elitist attitude about them.</p>
<p>There were actually a lot of engineers in 286 last semester. There are few places left to run to these days I tell you. (just kidding, just kidding lol)</p>