Since this was my first quarter at my CC and because I didn’t complete all the requirements for priority registration I was left with only a couple choices for my math teacher at De Anza College. The two teachers that I have to choose between, www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=1680758 and http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.jsp?tid=89065. Both are teachers that aren’t that highly rated and reportedly give average grades of C’s respectively.
I didn’t sweat it too much because I saw that the our sister CC, Foothill College, was offering Calculus C with a great teacher that both taught well and was also a nice grader. The problem though, is that I received an email from Foothill detailing the fact that since I recieved a 4 on my AP test for Calc B/C I can only take Calculus B.
So I really, really don’t want to take Calc B since it screws up my 2 year schedule significantly and that it would be super repetitive and boring but at the same time I’m scared of how my first quarter could be screwed up if I take one of the two “harder” professors.
Should I take one of the two and take a P/NP for the course? I’d be taking 3 more math classes after this class, with Calc 1D, Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. I wouldn’t take P/NP for those classes so I don’t think my math would be fully pushed away.
Relevant: I’m applying next fall as a CS major.
If its a major prereq, I don’t think you can take it P/NP.
All major prerequisites, unless explicitly stated otherwise, CANNOT be taken for P/NP.
If you fits your schedule, and the professor doesn’t throw you out of the room, sitting the calculus class (with the better professor that you hinted at wanting but weren’t able to add) is a a wise investment. It’s integral calculus! Along with O-Chem and Physics:EM, it’s one of the three most notorious weeder courses. Surely at least a couple of students will drop prior to the drop w/o a “w” deadline leaving you in prime position to ask for the late add code. I would start sitting in after the third or fourth class session when all the other crashers have been turned away / given up though.
Otherwise…take the Foothill class. You really shouldn’t complain about an easier “A” course that will look golden on your transcript. Easy “A’s” are few and far between. Also, as far as admissions are concerned, an “A” in a CC course is better than a 4 on the AP Exam.
How does the Foothill option mess up your two year plan?
@luckie1367
Thanks for the information.
@SDGoldenBear
Thanks for the thoughts. I’ll try to sit in with another teacher so I can see if I can get their class. The only problem with that is that there are 7 to 8 other people in the waitlist and so I wouldn’t want to sign up for it first. I personally don’t think that it is risk worth taking since I might not get the class in the end. At least that’s how I think waitlists work? They’re a bit confusing but I think I’ve got the just of how they operate.
Also I spent some time reading through the reviews for the first teacher that I said was difficult and I’m a bit relieved. (a bit) True, his ratings aren’t that great overall but reading through the reviews for Calculus it seems that he is a hard teacher but most people say if you work at it I should be fine. I am taking Lit with a nice teacher and Physics with decent teacher, I should be able to juggle it while putting emphasis on math. I think I spend the rest of this month and next until Sept 22 (Classes start then) learning and understanding Calculus C again so I can enter strong.
Messing up my two year plan? Alright truth be told, I was freaking out yesterday because what I had in my mind for my schedule was screwed up and I was feeling really dramatic. It wouldn’t “screw” up my 2 year plan but instead it would simply make me push my math classes back once. Nothing too serious but something I’d rather not have happen.
I’ll consider taking the Foothill class too.
If it is required for your major, you cannot take it P/NP.
I assume Calc b is the equivalent of Calc 2? Up to Calc 2 math is a validation subject, meaning lower level courses can be taken P/NP as long as a later grade is taken for a letter grade. But the validation stops at Calc 2.
You have two concerns:
(1) What level is Calc b in the spectrum?
(2) As it is a major requirement and major courses are supposed to be for a letter grade, if the course fits into the validation matrix, can you get away with a P/NP even though it is required, as you will be taking a higher level? Only the dept can give you an answer.
I have seen P/NP for Calc courses, but as to how they play out when the course is required for the major, not sure. And this course appears to be at the top end of the validation matrix, meaning the validation rules may not even apply any longer.
You need to find out from the UC exactly what is required re the class. My instinct is you will need to take for a grade.