<p>So I am going in with AP Credits that allow me to get past the MATH 140 and MATH 141 courses. I did pretty well on the placement so they recommended me go on to the next recommended course of MATH 251: Differential Equations or take MATH 230: Multivariable Calculus. I was wondering which one would be better for an incoming freshman. I have taken Linear Algebra before by the way :D.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for the help!</p>
<p>I would recommend the following:</p>
<p>First, thoroughly review the material for 140 and 141 - I also got to skip those courses, and I would say that despite the credit, the actual courses tend to cover more and require a higher degree of understanding to pass (especially with a good grade!). Math is key in science and engineering (I assume you are an engineering major like I was), and you really want to make sure that you have those fundamentals SOLID or you will be paying the price all through college.</p>
<p>Second, if you have not yet taken MATH 220, do so - while you may have some linear algebra from high school, if you have not done all the linear transforms and such you will be in trouble later on.</p>
<p>Finally, to answer your actual question, I would take 251 before 230. Despite the numbering system, I think a firm understanding of the higher-order differentials will help in 230 more than the other way around.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the help!</p>
<p>That was the most helpful response I got from anyone. Everyone just said that both were hard, flip a coin…</p>
<p>As for MATH 220, its actually not a part of the recommended curriculum. And I am pretty solid in Calc, I kept my book so that I can review whenever I need. I’m also gonna review Calc a lot over the summer.</p>
<p>Thanks again!!!</p>
<p>Posted here in high school bit and just saw a link to this forum so decided to see what was going on. I’m a math major at PSU now so I can answer any questions you have about the math department. Like the other poster said, Math 220 would be a good course to take as far easing into the college environment. There’s a good chance you’ll need it in the future even if you don’t think so right now. Remember that there’s a very high chance you’ll switch majors (like I did, as well as most other people) and a lot of majors require 220.</p>
<p>230 and 250 are typically not taken by freshman so they are a bit more challenging than the beginning calc courses. I think 250 is the easier class but if you have to take 230, I think you might as well do it as soon as possible. It will be a lot harder if you forget the material from 141. The material in 220 will help you a lot when you solve systems of differential equations 250 but you can learn it on the fly if you need to. I wouldn’t overthink this though- if you can handle one class, you can handle the other. My advice is take 230 and 220 first and then take 250 or 251 the following semester.</p>