The plan I have is as stated in the title. I want to take Calculus III, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations the next semester. I am currently taking Calculus II which is the prerequisite for all three of those classes. I know it sounds a little insane, but the only other class I would have is calculus-based physics II (E/M). It would be a total of 14 credit hours (semester based - 16 weeks). I did extremely well in Calculus I. I grasped the material almost instantly (except Riemann Sums were a bit confusing at first). I would have no English class, no GE class, and no job.
I heard a common course load for a freshmen was Calculus III, DE, Physics I, and like two other GE classes. This is the same situation for me except in place of those two GE classes, it would be another math class (Linear Algebra). This is the way I see it, but I would appreciate advice from others.
I also feel these classes would compliment each other thus another benefit. I have read multiple posts about people saying that material found in say, DE would have been helpful in Calculus III and vice versa. Or how Differential Equations was similar to Calculus III in some ways.
I could just be too optimistic and could end up severely hurting my GPA, my understanding of math, and just stress myself out. I could also be naive hence the purpose of creating this post.
I want blunt honestly, nothing less. Thanks in advance.
Three math classes plus E&M sounds awful to me (senior in ChemE).
Is your DiffEq class ordinary, partial, or both? Partial differential equations will require Calc 3 concepts.
I have heard DiffEq and Linear Algebra complement each other well. I would just be worried about the sheer volume of work with probably four different weekly problem sets or something like that.
I’m not sure but here is the course description for DiffEq:
Linear equations, solutions in series, solutions using Laplace transforms, systems of differential equations and applications to problems in engineering and allied fields.
The Student Will:
• Identify homogeneous equations, homogeneous equations with constant coefficients, and exact and linear differential equations.
• Solve ordinary differential equations and systems of equations using: a) Direct integration b) Separation of variables c) Reduction of order d) Methods of undetermined coefficients and variation of parameters e) Series solutions f) Operator methods for finding particular solutions g) Laplace transform methods.
• Determine particular solutions to differential equations with given boundary conditions or initial conditions.
• Analyze real-world problems in fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Engineering, and Physics, including problems related to population dynamics, mixtures, growth and decay, heating and cooling, electronic circuits, and Newtonian mechanics.
I agree as well. Having 4 different problem sets a week sounds daunting. Also, E/M has lab reports although probably not as intense as say, a chemistry lab report (although I could be wrong).
Take calc3 next semester, and diff eq/linear algebra the following semester.
Your plan is a surefire way to kill your GPA and disqualify you from summer internships just before they become available.
I took Calc 3 and linear at the same time. I found it challenging but doable. I highly rec not doing diff eq and linear at the same time. You’ll want to know linear topics for some stuff in diff eqs. Also since your school is semester be careful about overloading Calc 3 with another math. I go to a quarter school so Calc 3 is split into two courses so I took the second half with linear. You’ll want to know greens, stokes, and divergence theorem like the back of your head in Calc 3.
So far what I am hearing is that it is not a good idea to take the 3 math classes and the physics course in the same semester. However, I feel as if I should still take two math and the physics. Which math should I hold off on? Linear Algebra?
If I do drop one of the math courses, what should I take instead? I feel as if only 3 classes (11 credit hours) is too little. I have no other general education class to take. I only have those math classes and organic chemistry left before I transfer in Fall 2018. And again, I have no job, no family, no girlfriend (lol), nothing. My entire semester will be dedicated to school.
After this semester, I will have Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Physics II, Organic Chemistry I and II left, and I cannot think of any other class that is needed for my major that I can take now. I am a chemical engineering major and UT only requires Biology I which I am taking now. Perhaps I could take Biology II? If those 3 math classes listed along with Physics II is too much in one semester, then what should I take instead? Help me plan out my spring semester.
@eyemgh Haha you got me on that one. I knew something was off when typing it.
Op: if you decide to take 2 math classes and 1 physics class I would do Calc 3 and linear. Linear comes before diff eq and is totally seperate from Calc 3. Taking diff eq and then linear makes no sense since you’ll want to know Eigen values and eigen vectors from linear for diff. Hope that helps you decide.
The thing you haven’t made clear is why cramming in so much math in will be advantageous. It’s not like finishing them unlocks your ability to step into an advanced sequence sooner. It simply eliminated one more class from your curriculum sheet, no different than taking a GE (for the most part…the math will help in your upcoming tech classes). The secret to scheduling is balance. Right now, the schedule you proposed doesn’t have any with no apparent advantage for giving it up.
I couldn’t think of any other class that is a requirement that I should take. I already have all the GE classes I need (history, English, government, literature, etc.) I understand I need to balance but I don’t know how I should go about doing so. The only other class I have left to take is Ochem but I don’t feel like 2 science classes and 2 math classes will help anymore than 3 math and 1 science. If you have any recommendation, let me know please.
I say 2 math now because I’ll take @10s4life advice and just do Calculus III and Linear Algebra which is not uncommon to take at the same time along with Physics II (E&M). Now I’m lost as what else to take since 11 credits is too little. I feel like I’ll be wasting a chance to complete another class.
My D generally takes 14-16 credits in STEM classes, tries to keep it at 2 math classes each semester, and one fun class in language or music, something she is interested in learning. She always says she thinks 3 math classes would be difficult to maintain her GPA. FWIW, OChem can be very difficult for some students and I would suggest taking a lighter load that semester., not necessarily less credits but less rigor.
The semester one takes OChem should be a light semester, indeed. That class has killed many a GPA. ALL students suffer, it’s worth two classes on its own.
I’m a math major and I would never want to take more than 2 math classes in a semester. At my school it’s relatively common to take calc 3 and linear at the same time. Diff Eq is taken later and actually has linear and calc 2 as a prereq, so I would definitely wait to take that one.
@MYOS1634 Yeah, I should have taken Ochem I this semester. Calculus II, Physics I, and Organic Chemistry I doesn’t sound so bad to me. Too bad I didn’t think ahead of time.
@guineagirl96 Alright, from what I’ve heard, Calculus III and Linear Algebra seem like the way to go. However, I did hear that you need Partial Derivatives (I believe that’s what it was) in Differential Equations which you learn in Calculus III which is why most people recommend to take Calculus III beforehand.
However, I also heard that people who took Differential Equations and Calculus III concurrently didn’t really struggle because it was such an easy topic and they learned it on the fly.
If you are transferring, see if there are any courses that might be required for graduation at your new school that you can take and get a head start on. Even something like a physical ed class or a communications class. Or just take one for fun! Take an art class or a business class.
If linear algebra and differential equations are taught correctly, they are not easy classes. A professor who uses theory means the class will be challenging but you will be well prepared for any class using them. I am not sure what school you attend but linear can range from simply learning to use Gaussian Elimination to solve systems of linear equations to actually doing full blown proofs. I took it with a professor who had proofs on exams and very little computation.
Have to disagree slightly with others in that 3 math + physics is not automatically difficult. For some people, replacing one of these courses with a humanities or social studies course would make the schedule more difficult.
However, linear algebra being useful for the later parts of the other courses can be something to consider when deciding which courses to take before others versus together.
@ucbalumnus Yeah I heard many different opinions on this matter but I want to get the best idea of how it would be.
@eyemgh, Yes, sir/ma’am. I have completed all of my other gen ed classes which leaves me with math and science classes left. As for the rest of the year I’m not sure what I am going to take but I do have Organic Chemistry I and II as an option, Calculus III, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra. I know it won’t be possible to complete all of those classes before transferring but I can get close.
Fall (I should have selected better classes but Organic Chemistry wasn’t being offered): Calculus II, Biology I, Physics I, and Music Theory (because I had nothing else to do).
Spring 2018 (adjusted plan to what others have recommended): Physics II, Linear Algebra, Calculus III
