<p>Hello,
As an incoming freshmen attending Calso this fri-sat, Im wondering about the differences between the two math courses.</p>
<p>Judging by the catalog descriptions:
Math 1A:This sequence is intended for majors in engineering and the physical sciences. An introduction to differential and integral calculus of functions of one variable, with applications and an introduction to transcendental functions.</p>
<p>Math 16A:Description: This sequence is intended for majors in the life and social sciences. Calculus of one variable; derivatives, definite integrals and applications, maxima and minima, and applications of the exponential and logarithmic functions.</p>
<p>I dont really see a difference between the two aside from transcendental
functions... (don't exactly know what they are lol).
And Why is 1A 4 units as opposed to 16A, which is 3 units?</p>
<p>Thank you~</p>
<p>Edit: is it recommended to take Math 98 also as a freshman?</p>
<p>math 16 is a deadend series. if you are gonna consider 53 or 54, math 1a would be better. math 1 series is also a lot harder. questions are harder and fewer people get As. also, math 16a has fewer hours of class, which is why it's a unit fewer.</p>
<p>Just FYI, if you're someone who's planning to major in Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), you're required to take Math 1A+1B, which doesn't fall under the "engineering and physical sciences" categories as listed by the catalog.</p>
<p>can MCB majors AP out of Math 1A + 1B?</p>
<p>No, I believe its a required course.</p>
<p>Actually, I take that back.</p>
<p>Students with AP credit should consider choosing a course more advanced than 1A.</p>
<p>So, Im not sure haha</p>
<p>I think you can but if you're pre-med, med schools want a year of calculus</p>
<p>So if a pre-med req is to take only one year of calc in college, so can we never take math again after 1A and 1B? Or do we have to take Math 53 and 54 in soph. year to look more studious? </p>
<p>Also, what does "DIS" stand for on the Online Schedule of Classes? What do you do during a "DIS"?</p>
<p>DIS is a discussion</p>
<p>what's the significance of a "discussion"? Is it the same as office hours?</p>
<p>In a way, a discussion is a smaller gathering of students (10-30 it depends), led by a Graduate Student Instructor. You usually take little quizzes and work on problems/ get mini-lectures on material that was presented during the larger lecture portion of the class.</p>
<p>Discussions are semi-mandatory, depending on the type of class you're taking. In my History 5 discussion last semester, our GSI took roll. In Math 1A, our GSI didn't take roll; however, we did turn in homework and took quizzes worth points every Friday, so no one showed up during the week but came to Friday's section. </p>
<p>It's sort of a mix of a mini-lecture as Ducky Dodger put it, and a discussion (as the name implies.) Depending on the GSI, they'll let you ask questions during class, or they'll discuss topics from lecture that people have a hard time with.</p>