<p>So back in school I broke my graphing calculator, but was not that mad because I planned to buy a new calc for school. What I want to know is what type should I buy TI-83, 84, OR 89. Since I'm a science major the math will be the calculus 16's, chem. 1a/3a, and physics 8a/b. Also I have always wanted to buy those tape recorders for lectures and look all prepared for class and stuff. Is recording the lecture really useful and does everybody actually use one?</p>
<p>You won’t even need anything beyond a cheap scientific calculator for chem and physics. Hell, for Chem1A, you’re FORCED to buy a specific model - the TI-30XIIS. They make you use that calculator to even the playing field, which I guess is good so that students with graphing calcs can’t cheat.</p>
<p>For calculus, if I recall, calculators aren’t allowed anyways - you’ll have to figure everything out by hand, except for stuff like calculating specific values of trig functions, but again the scientific calculator for chem1A will help you out.</p>
<p>For physics 8a/b, you’ll never get to use it. Ever.</p>
<p>So really, there’s no need for a graphing calculator because you won’t have the chance to use it. Just buy the TI-30XOEAGFOUAEGFOU when you get here - it’s at the student store and at Ned’s.</p>
<p>Recording the lecture is useful only if the webcast or audiocast doesn’t already exist. [webcast.berkeley</a> | UC Berkeley Video and Podcasts for Courses & Events](<a href=“http://webcast.berkeley.edu%5Dwebcast.berkeley”>http://webcast.berkeley.edu)</p>
<p>The university also has a notes service: <a href=“http://lecturenotes.berkeley.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://lecturenotes.berkeley.edu</a></p>
<p>The webcast is free, but the lecture notes are not. However, if you’re serious about your education, I highly recommend both - they’re EXCELLENT study tools. And by “study tools” I do not mean “watch all 15 lectures the night before the exam.” Because I did that and I failed miserably. Well, not FAILED failed, but I could’ve done a lot better.</p>
<p>And out of three years here, I’ve only seen ONE person use a tape recorder. And it was for a class where the professor was basically semi-legally ■■■■■■■■ and didn’t know how to enunciate words properly. But go for it, if you think it’ll help you.</p>
<p>In my opinion, the best tools are still your laptop or good ol’ pen and paper.</p>
<p>You don’t need a graphing calculator for those courses. Chem 1A will only allow scientific calculators in exams, Chem 3A w/ Prof. Frechet lets you use any calculator. Math courses do not allow calculators for exams. </p>
<p>Recording lecture isn’t that useful. do you REALLY want to spend the time listening to the lecture AGAIN?</p>
<p>Actually, Chem 1A doesn’t require you to buy THAT specific calculator. ANY scientific (NON graphing) will work</p>