@auntiemame, he scored a 31. How could I find out what the textbook is? That is something that I have been looking for so that we could get the books early.
Thank you for the information.
My son took his Math 151 and 152 credits but each kid will be different depending on his or her background and overall confidence in math. My son had a five his sophomore year on his BC Calculus exam and had two post-AP math classes in high school. He then got As in Math 252 and 308 freshman year. In the long run, I don’t think it matters that much when you take your math classes, unless you intend to major in math. Freshman year engineering is hard work no matter what, so there is no shame in easing the workload a bit.
Thank you @beaudreau. I think what we will do is try to find the syllabus for both 151 and 152 and talk to his high school IB teacher to get his advice. He’s familiar with what he taught plus Nick’s skill level. We certainly do not want to make his first semester harder than it needs to be but if he doesn’t need to take the course, we don’t want to take it.
A syllabus will list the topics, but I’m not confident it will show the ~depth~ of the topic. Perhaps you can find sample tests for the subject on the A&M website, and have him take one or two. We’ve found a lot of classroom materials online, with some digging.
To find the list of books: Howdy / My Record / My Schedule (left column) click ‘My Schedule’. (Select term if needed) then click on [Review/Order Books] across the top of the list.
This is the Math 151 text her specific class requires. (Verify against your schedule before you buy!) I see it can be rented for $13.49. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0534493483/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yes the staff wants kids in 151. They view it as a “better safe than sorry” guide. If your son earned the credit and feels confident I would say take the credit and move on. Similar to @Beaudreau my son had a 5 on his BC calc. He only took the credit for 151 even though he could have taken the credit for 152 also. It was no problem. He earned an A in 152, 251 & 308.
You guys are awesome!!! He’s going to look over the tests fir 151. He feels pretty confident but wants to be sure, lol. Thank you for the links to the books as well.
A few questions regarding freshman textbooks:
Fall Schedule:
H Eng 111
H Eng 181
Math 151
Phys 218
Hist 226
Can the Matlab textbook be bought on Amazon or should one buy from school? I’m worried about not getting a required access code if I buy it from Amazon.
Is the Stewart Calculus - Early Vectors textbook used in classes beyond MATH 151? If so would it make more sense to buy instead of renting for one semester.
Are any textbooks needed for Eng 111? (None listed on website)
(Similar to Q #1) Are there any situations where one should buy textbooks from the TAMU website instead of paying a cheaper price on Amazon or Textbooks.com?
Any additional information would be appreciated! Thank you!
@Ptownrunner, Last fall, ENGR 111 (H) used “Thinking Like an Engineer” and there are a number of used copies on Amazon. We just sold our copy, so I assume they’re still using it. The Early Vectors book is used for MATH 151, 152 and 251, so you may want to purchase it. My son opted to buy the Matlab text and access code from the school to ensure he got the required code. Finally, there are no textbooks associated with ENGR 181 (H). We pretty much buy/rent all textbooks from Amazon with the exception of those requiring an access code. (We just rented one of his textbooks for fall for just $17 for the semester through Amazon). Not sure which PHYS 218 you’re in (University Physics or Don’t Panic Physics), but we have our University Physics text listed as the cheapest offering on Amazon. Hope this helps.
@lee6666 This helps so much! Thank you for the detailed answer! Does the Early Vectors require an access code? Also what does it mean when something is a “package component” on the textbook list? Thanks
Questions -
(1) which is better, if you start your application on August 1st and end it mid September OR if you start and finish it mid September? (for admission to engineering) (Because I can’t finish my application with things like my transcript not being up to date)
(2) Does the engineering department give scholarships to students solely based on GPA? How hard is it to get one as a sophomore or junior with a 3.5+ gpa?
(3) Any advice for the rising senior applying to the class of 2021?
The following was posted on the facebook page, “Aggie Moms & Dads of Texas A&M Students-Tips and Info”. It’s a very helpful site and I recommend joining. https://www.facebook.com/groups/668942566568939/
VERY IMPORTANT - make sure your Aggie knows to NOT PURCHASE the Student version of MATLAB from the Mathworks site. Your Aggie will get access to MATLAB if it is required for their class.
When you take Math 151 & 152 (Engineering Calc 1 & 2), you will write programs in MATLAB to complete some assignments.
MathWorks, creators of MATLAB, has a lot of information available on their website. You can access the information by going to www.mathworks.com.
o Select the Academia link at the top of the page, and then select the Tutorial link – most of the tutorials are free, but you will have to register to get access.
o Select the Support link at the top of the page.
There is a Search Field on the page. Following is a short list of suggested terms to search for:
• Function Browser
• Characters and Strings
• Format
• Debugging Process and Features
• Drag & Drop data import
• Plotting
• Any topic covered by the tutorials that aren’t free
*** NOTE: You will get access to MATLAB as part of your class & required fees. ***
We need some GPA-builder classes, aka “easy A’s”.
My daughter is pretty much core complete, bringing in about 50 hours from dual credit. With any other major, she could breeze out with a BS/BA in 2 years with summers, but she’s in Engineering. She’ll need the full four years due to all the pre-requisites, etc. The original plan was to graduate in 4 years and just take it easy with a minimal load, and spend the rest of the time in the labs, creating something amazing that will help her get into grad school.
Well, she just received a 4-year academic scholarship - one we didn’t even know existed - which requires a good GPA and a minimum of 30 hours per year. She still wants to live in the lab, so she’s not interested in a double major, etc.
Now she needs to pad out her schedule with at least one GPA-builder class per semester. Any suggestions? Are there any other loops, boards, FB pages, etc. where she could ask this question?
@AuntieMame - I don’t know about easy classes. My son came in with 48 hours and did not even accept all that he could have. He’s an Aerospace Engineering major, just completed his second year, and now has 110 hours. He has kept his GPA up high enough to comfortably keep scholarship eligible. He has not looked for easy classes, but has pursued non-engineering interests. He should graduate with two minors, one in German and one in history.
Most non-STEM classes are comparatively easier than the required engineering classes. Your daughter may be better off exploring some non-STEM areas than just looking for random easy classes.
@ilovemath987 - Here’s a different question. How do you feel about the Fast Track program where a student can earn a Masters degree in five years by taking graduate-level courses starting in year 4? Are you or any friends thinking about this route? Does it help with jobs? My son’s scholarship is for four years; it there financial aid available for the 5th year, including the OOS tuition waiver? Would it help get into a PhD program?
Yep, that’s actually one question with a lot of subparts. Thanks in advance!
@AuntieMame, Look at THAR 281 or 201 with Quakenbush, ENDS 101 with Hill, or HEALTH 236 online. My son found ENDS 101 (Honors course) very interesting. Students work in assigned groups to create/launch new products. Very outside-the-box thinking, group presentations, etc. A lot of time, but an easy A. Also, this question is raised a lot on the Aggie Reddit site. You might look there for advice as well: https://www.reddit.com/r/aggies/
@Ptownrunner, Just double checked with my son. No access code with the Early Vectors book (I was mistaken). But we bought that one at A&M for some reason. I believe “Package Component” simply means there is an online version of the text or an online homework program that you may choose to purchase along with the text.
@AuntieMame Thanks for the tip!! So it would be okay to buy the Matlab book from Amazon and still be ready for class on day one?
I know it is a great option if you are ahead. Most of my friends and I have ended up taking an extra semester or 2 so we are obviously not on the fast track plan. However you can easily knock out a masters in engr in 1 year so it turns out to be about the same. I say go for it if you are running out of classes to take.
@lee6666
Thank you so much for those leads! She’s taken your suggestions, and loves the Reddit link you provided. Very helpful!
@ilovemath987
A fast-track Masters is certainly something to consider, especially if her scholarship can be extended. From all accounts, she would certainly enjoy an additional year with her Engr buddies, and it never hurts to have a Masters under your belt.
She needs the fill-in classes to keep up her Hours while she gets the pre-reqs for more advanced classes. It’s like an inverted pyramid; not many courses in her major/minors that she can take in the first semesters.
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So it would be okay to buy the Matlab book from Amazon and still be ready for class on day one?
That’s what we did, so she could become familiar with the program before class. It was very inexpensive on Amazon ($10ish used), so an easy decision. If you’re concerned, I’d get the official info by calling the department or writing a Prof.
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Most non-STEM classes are comparatively easier than the required engineering classes.
Yes, with so many core courses out of the way, she’s very familiar with that. However, as I’m sure you know, you can get t-boned by a Liberal Arts Professor with outrageous expectations, even after checking RateMyProf. That’s a lot of time she could be spending in the Lab, where her heart is. She very much appreciated the resources Lee6666 provided.
Your daughter may be better off exploring some non-STEM areas than just looking for random easy classes.
Thank you for your judgment, but her interests are so universal that she is looking forward to a random class here or there.
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GPA is a huge, huge concern when applying to the PhD programs that offer the research she needs. Also, while minors in German and History will no doubt help your son in his aerospace career, they would not build her application for grad school. Instead, she chose minors applicable to her field: Math and NeuroScience.
Clearly, our kids were born into the correct families! 
Hello, I am currently studying in a community college in Dallas. I am planning on transferring to A$M in the fall of 2017. When would be the best time for me to start and submit my applications? I am majoring in Mechanical engineering and currently hold a STEM scholarship. I am also interested in joining the corps of cadets. Really looking forward to the responses. Thanks