<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I've been perusing the course catalog and I have been trying to figure out what an appropriate math course for me would be for next year. I'm taking calculus this year (non-AP, we don't have APs), and I would like to continue it at Chicago, but I also don't want to set myself out to fail. For those of you already there, which calculus classes would be good for someone who has a basic grounding in calculus, enjoys it a lot, but has to work hard to understand and do well?</p>
<p>Thanks!
Sarah</p>
<p>Well the first thing to know is that all incoming Freshmen will take a math exam during orientation that will help place you in a class. Chicago says brush up a little over the summer but don't sweat it. The next thing to know is that Calculus at Chicago is not like the Calculus you have seen most other places. You can check all this out by going to the Univ of Chicago web site and going to the Math department web page. Chicago has three sections of Calculus - Elementary for the least familiar, Regular for the standard and Honors Calculus for the most able. Honors Calculus is very Theoretical and very proof oriented. There is a Honors Math Analysis class for Exceptional students but this pretty much skips over the Calculus sequence and is an extremely difficult class. The best thing to do is to take the Math exam for incoming students and see what kind of results you get and follow that lead. Chicago will encourage you to take the highest level you test into because you can always drop down a level which is quite common and not frowned upon.</p>
<p>do you know if you took the AB and BC exams and got 5's if theyll still make you take the placement exam?</p>
<p>you took both exams? or are you just talking about the subscore?</p>
<p>Yes. All take the exam. You see Chicago has it's own way of evaluation. As I recall 5's on AB & BC exam would mean you would be exempt from the first two quarters of the regular sequence of Calculus, but would not exempt you from any quarters of the Honors Sequence of Calculus. The Honors Level of Calculus at Chicago can almost be considered an Introduction to Math Analysis as it is extremely theoretical and proof oriented. If you are really good in math and are invited into th Honors Analysis Class - by performing exceptionally on the exam, strap on your boots and tighten your chin strap because you are in for a ride. A class you would not forget for the rest of your life...in a good way if you are truly prepared.</p>
<p>i took AB last year, got 5, and am expecting to get 5 this year in BC since just everybody from my school in the past have gotten 5s since the teacher is very good and prepares us well. thanks grasslands. i know that chicago's sequence is on another level from most elite colleges, let alone the AP curriculum. is this the chicago equivalent a harvards math 55 where only IMOers and the like can handle it?</p>
<p>I honestly cannot answer that question. I believe there are IMO's in the class but am not sure.</p>
<p>ah, thanks for the information grasslands, i didn't know that about the website. the course catalogue doesn't elaborate in as much detail, or maybe i just missed it...</p>
<p>The catalog spells out what credit is granted for various AP scores, but does not explain very clearly the interaction between the math placement test, classes then taken, and AP credit. It's complex and depends on major to some degree.</p>
<p>For some specifics, most kids who get a 5 on the BC calc exam will place into one of three quarters of honors calc, the 16000 series. Only a very few (under 20) place into honors analysis, which is really a second year course. And curiously, a few percent (less than 10% most years), place out of all math but not into honors analysis. For these kids, math courses are really dictated by concentration, so the various divisional masters (like Jose Quintans for Biological Sciences) will provide advice. </p>
<p>Don't sweat this, as there is lots of advice available during O week if one seeks it. That's part of the reason they have a whole week set up for frosh (excuse me, first years...)</p>