Applied Math is substantially less theoretical, more learning how to solve actual problems, less about how to construct the math itself. The math department is where you’ll see a lot of proofs and theoretical work with very little or no use of actual numbers at that level.
<p>The APMA 0330, 0340 sequence follows the description of applied math as “less theoretical, more learning how to solve actual problems, less about how to construct the math itself.” The description for the APMA 0350, 0360 sequence, however, seemed just as theoretical as the courses offered by the math department ([Mathematics</a> Course Descriptions](<a href=“http://www.math.brown.edu/course_desc.html]Mathematics”>http://www.math.brown.edu/course_desc.html)). </p>
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<p>Then, looking at the prereqs for each course:
APMA 0330, 0340: MATH 0100
APMA 0350, 0360: MATH 0100 and MATH 0180
MATH 1110, 1120: MATH (0180 or 0200 or 0350) and MATH (0520 or 0540) </p>
<p>So it looks like there’s an additional linear algebra requirement to take the course in the math department. I can’t really tell much based on the description, but could someone clarify a bit here on the nature of these course sequences?</p>
<p>@brown<em>or</em>bust: i think it’s easier to drop down from MA35 versus jumping to MA35. can’t really say much about the degree of rigor in MA35 since it depends on the professor and the mathematical maturity of your peers. i think the professor would have an incentive to make the class harder if it’s filled with math prodigies, so you’d want to be there and see how you’d stack up. also, AM165 is a good course. i finished my MVC first before tackling it, since it’ll be useful when doing multivariate probability/stats… not essential, though.</p>
<p>@wewet234: having taken AM35/36 and MA112, i can support what modestmelody said. the AM sequence is very much focused in covering many techniques to solve differential equations, whereas the MA sequence is more formal. </p>
<p>to put into perspective, one of the best things i got out of AM36 was how to use numerical methods and solve analytically non-tractable problems – which concerns itself with speed of convergence, order of errors in solutions etc. on the other hand MA112 taught me a lot about the theoretical physics problems from which these PDEs arose, and we covered a lot of proofs in relation to questions like ‘why must a solution exists? what happens as time passes with this equation? is it stable?’… so it’s very much like ‘just do it’ mentality versus ‘what’s really going on here?’. you’d definitely want MA52 for MA112, since it just simplifies the way you describe your problem, helps writing general proofs, and there’s a whole class of PDE problems that just requires you to know it.</p>
<p>Thanks! Icebox4, maybe you can help me out a bit here since you have experience with the math department. In general, how easy/hard is it to get placement into more advanced courses? On the calculus placement section of the math department’s page, it says: “If you spent a semester beyond basic calculus studying multivariable calculus and/or linear algebra, you may be able to place out of one or both of these courses.” I have taken a multivariable calculus class, and even though I haven’t taken a class in linear algebra, I have self-studied it and covered the topics listed in the course description. And just to make sure, I plan on working through the textbook they use for Math 54. My question: How exactly does placement work? Is there a placement exam of some sort?
Also, is it possible to place out of classes other than calculus/linear algebra, like diff eq? (I noticed that Math 111 is not listed as a prerequisite for Math 112 and can’t figure out why.)
Lastly, the prerequisite for Math 162 is “MA 161 or permission of the instructor.” I found the textbook for Math 161 and it looks manageable given that I’ve taken AP Stats. What are the grounds for getting instructor’s permission? Is there a placement exam? </p>
<p>Sorry that was so long, but as you can see, I’m pretty confused about what to take. One one hand, I don’t want to find myself in a class that’s too easy. There are just so many classes that I want to take at Brown, and I’m wondering how anyone could possibly do it all in four years. On the other hand, I don’t want to find myself in something too hard, so I’m if I enroll in something I can’t handle, I can always drop down. </p>
<p>I was wondering if maybe current or graduated students could post the classes they took at Brown, as I think it would help us pre-frosh out a lot by giving us some general ideas. (I’m especially interested in hearing from modestmelody and icebox4. If you don’t want to post that info, maybe you can PM me?) </p>
<p>i think there is no such thing as a calculus placement at brown. at the beginning of the semester, you can take a non-binding self-assessment exam, which will then suggest which calculus sequence you should take. in my case, i didn’t even take that placement exam. i was confident enough to take MVC my 1st semester, did well on it, and it was taken for granted that i place out of Calc I and II. on the note of linear algebra, i strongly suggest you to just take a class in it. MA54 in particular gives good grounding for more abstract maths and proof-writing in upper level classes. if you’re hell-bent on pre-reading linear algebra before coming in, try Gilbert Strang’s book. (alternatively, enjoy summer and hand out goodbye hugs to HS friends).</p>
<p>furthermore, beyond the calculus and linear algebra sequence, i don’t think there’s a guideline to place out of them – mainly because very few people have actually done such coursework prior to college. if you’re one of those math prodigies, talk to the undergrad concentrator advisor in the math department (Prof. Brock, don’t know if the appointment last through next year) and ask for advice. i think it’s fine to do MA112 without MA111, although it might provide a little bit of catching up in the beginning. in general, the family of problems that both classes try to address are so much different, that the techniques and analysis from one class does not necessarily carry over to the other. you can think of the subfields as somewhat disjoint – hence, you’ll be just fine (hope that makes sense).</p>
<p>i have no idea what’s the course content of AP Stats (international student here), but i am not sure if AP Stats allows you to skip MA161, since you’d need a good grasp of MVC to do multivariate probability. the course description is rather deceiving by the way: there are much calculus-based proofing that is involved in MA161 (LLN, CLT, Jensen’s Inequality, Markov’s Inequality…). there’s an even more formal version of probability theory, but that’s graduate-level and requires comfort with mathematical analysis.</p>
<p>it’s rather hard (and very likely boring) if i try to list and describe all my courses here. my main interest is in math (probability theory, stochastic processes, statistics) and its applications to finance – so if you’d happen to be interested in any of those stuff i can try help you out!</p>
<p>I have a feeling that which ever language you choose, you will become fairly conversational if you are consistent. I was shocked to see how fluent my sister became in French in one semester and a half…(so far). (I am very fluent in French so I can tell…)</p>
<p>Whatever language you take will result in near fluency by the end of the sequence here at Brown, and you could push it to fluency by going abroad. The exception is the Asian languages which do take significantly more time to learn.</p>
<p>I’ve taken a year of Hebrew at Brown and I’m positive that equipped with a dictionary and thrown into Israel for 10 weeks that I’d be pretty damn close to fluent. I already have enough of an understanding of the language and the basic grammar structures that I can listen to tapes of real news and pick up the gist of what’s going on. It’s just a matter of building vocab and some more complex grammar constructions.</p>
<p>icebox4: I was thinking of working through the book for Math 54 listed on mocha (Stephen H. Friedberg; Arnold J. Insel; Lawrence E. Spence) or Sergei Treil’s Linear Algebra Done Wrong. Do you think Strang would be a better choice? Suppose, best case scenario, I have learned enough linear algebra to warrant not taking it. How would I go about enrolling in a higher-level course that has linear algebra as a prerequisite? (I probably will end up taking linear algebra, but I’m asking just in case.)</p>
<p>hrrrrm. i would not know how to do that, to be honest with you. as far as registration is concerned, an instructor can always override any prerequisite imposed by Banner. so it can be as simple as just asking for permission from the instructor in question. Strang’s book is a classic and has been a standard for some time for introductory linear algebra courses, I haven’t read Treil’s but have heard some good things about it. Coincidentally, Sergei Treil teaches at Brown and I’ve taken a class with him – very… unique personality to say the least! good professor, nevertheless.</p>
<p>also, i forgot to mention this last time, but MIT OpenCourseWare hosts recorded lectures, homeworks and exams from Strang’s linear algebra class at MIT, which might be of interest for you if you want to study on your own. </p>
<p>finally, i would not be too concerned with getting advanced placement and stuff like that. you always have shopping period to figure out where you fit in the best. in addition, the prerequisites are hardly the final determinant for you getting in the class – more often than not, it lies upon the instructor’s discretion.</p>
<p>Icebox4: Thanks, you’ve been such a great help! Shopping period should be fun… if only I can figure out how to shop two classes offered at the same time… lol. </p>