<p>I feel like everyone's confused about this, so here goes.
I just took AP calc AB this year. I did decently well, considering i didnt do the homework and totally slacked off once i got into Vandy. So i think i have a solid grasp of calc 1. I like economics, but idk if i want to major in it, but it is certainly a possibility. Ive heard that calc 150a/b is really hard, but my adviser explained that this was because the pre med kids who arent good at math take it and then fail out or otherwise dont do well. I'm worried about thr standardized nature of it, and don't really trust my adviser's "company line" </p>
<p>I'm scheduled for 155a right now, because i hear it's better, but i'm not sure how i'll do without the trigonometry review, even though I have a good background in trig once i brush up on it of course. </p>
<p>My friend is taking 140. But since i mgiht do econ im worried i'll end up having to take either 150 or 155 anyway. I am very gpa conscious, and while i'm totally willing to work hard to understand it, I can't flounder in a class and get a C. Any advice on what to do? Preferably actual Vanderbilt students who have taken one of these classes. Thanks!!</p>
<p>Performance in 155 all depends on the professor you get. Some are hard while others are easy. Some professors are good teachers while others are bad ones. Therefore, if you want to take 155, make sure you take it with a good professor.</p>
<p>This might seem obvious, but its very important.</p>
<p>So if I took calculus BC at high school and got a 5, which course should I take? I need an A in this calculus course so is it risky to take 155 (coz I dont know how hard my prof is). Should I change to 175?</p>
<p>155a was easier than AP Calc in my opinion. 155b was a bit tougher but that was partly due to my professor.</p>
<p>@ babyboom </p>
<p>If you got a 5 in Calculus BC, you probably have a good understanding of single variable calculus and should probably find 150 pretty easy. 155A should probably require more work, but should be doable. 155B covers several topics not covered / lightly covered (i.e. not covered in depth) in Calculus BC, so it would probably not be very easy. </p>
<p>175 starts out pretty easy, but generally gets more difficult as the semester progresses. The last chapter on Vector Calculus is pretty difficult. However, you won’t need to remember that much stuff from single variable calculus - pretty much only relatively basic differentiation and integration - but the tests - especially on the last part of the course - can be difficult and may require a creative mind. But for most professors, 175 isn’t proof based - though proofs are often presented - if that’s what you’re worried about. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for my recommendation, it would depend on how well you think you know single variable calculus (especially differential calculus, which is covered in 155A) because that is what covered in 155A. If you’re great, than take 155A, otherwise, maybe it might sense to take 175. I would not recommend 155B because I think the material in 155B is more difficult than that in 175 (plus 155B requires to a good understanding of 155A to do well). </p>
<p>Hope this helps, but I’m afraid I may have made things more confusing.</p>