Freshman math FAQ

<p>Here is more information about Math 10A and 10B:
<a href=“Math 10a - Method of Mathematics - Fall 2012”>http://math.berkeley.edu/~bernd/math10a.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/~lpachter/courses/Math_10a_Fall_2013/”>http://math.berkeley.edu/~lpachter/courses/Math_10a_Fall_2013/&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad/courses/courses/math91/”>http://mcb.berkeley.edu/undergrad/courses/courses/math91/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks @ucbalumnus! As I just put on a new thread I started, a Cal prof suggested he do the lower calc at Berkeley Community College instead. So, we are now considering that option. I just worry it will be too much with a full Cal schedule (albeit light) on top of it. Maybe just a parent worrying too much!</p>

<p>Could I do Math 1B and Math 54 freshman yr, then Math 53 soph yr? I heard Math 54 os easier than 53 and I dont want to die too painfully with Ochem that 2nd semester frosh yr</p>

<p>You may take Math 53 and 54 in either order. However, be sure to note two things:</p>

<ul>
<li>The end of Math 1B includes an introduction to differential equations that is assumed at the end of Math 54. If your high school calculus course did not include this material at the end of Math 1B, you need to self study it before Math 54 starts using it. See <a href=“Math 1B | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley”>Math 1B | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley; and <a href=“Math 54 | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley”>Math 54 | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley; .</li>
<li>Physics 7B requires Math 53 as at least a co-requisite.</li>
</ul>

<p>I got a 19/24 for the diagnostic Calc test on <a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam”>http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It says that I should take Math 1A instead of Math16A, but I’m afraid of not doing as well. How accurate is this diagnostic? </p>

<p>I’m considering Poli Sci, Comp Sci, Public Health, and Econ as majors.</p>

<p>For CS, you need to take Math 1A, 1B, and 54, so 16A won’t help you.</p>

<p>For the 5 questions you missed, you may want to review the concepts behind them.</p>

<p>I took Math 54 Fall 2013 (last semester). While it helps to know it, you do not actually need the differential equation material from the end of Math 1B. The differential equation part of Math 54 is essentially memorizing different methods of solving differential equations and then applying those methods.</p>

<p>Furthermore, Math 1B is difficult enough of a course that if you can skip it, you should (and if you feel it’s really necessary, study the diff eq portion of Math 1B on your own).</p>

<p>Does anyone know that an A for A-level Pure Math can get Math 16B waived for Haas prerequisites? CoEng and L&S both consider A-level Pure math satisfies 16A+16B, but Haas doesn’t distinguish A-level Math H1 and Pure Math and simply says 16B required. I checked Cal’s 16B (<a href=“Math 16B | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley”>Math 16B | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley) contents and they are pretty much covered in the A-level Pure Math syllabus. I am still working on the first semester class registration. I am in L&S econ/prehaas and international (so haven’t got a chance to do CalSO or talk with an advisor). Thanks.</p>

<p><a href=“Application Process - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas”>Application Process - Undergraduate Program - Berkeley Haas; indicates that those with math A-level scores of A, B, or C need to take at least one math course from 16B, 1B, 53, or 54 for business prerequisites.</p>

<p>For the L&S economics major, math A-level scores of A, B, or C fulfill the math prerequisite for the major. However, if you are considering PhD study in economics, or prefer mathematical economics, you should consider taking additional math courses like 53, 54, 110, 104.
<a href=“Freshmen Information | Department of Economics”>Freshmen Information | Department of Economics;
<a href=“Preparing for a PhD in Economics | Department of Economics”>Preparing for a PhD in Economics | Department of Economics;

<p>Hi ucbalumnus, I’m an exchange student at Berkeley. My question is not really about freshmen math, but I wish you would help me out. I’m wondering whether to take Math 204 next semester. I know it’s a graduate level course and I’m only a junior, arriving at Berkeley not long ago. Moreover, I have learned advanced math (calculus and a little differential equations) and linear algebra, but not numerical analysis. So I’m afraid that Math 204 is too difficult for me because I have no idea what is the graduate level course like in the U.S… I’ll be really appreciated if you can provide some advice and previous materials of this course for referrence. Thanks!</p>

<p><a href=“Mathematics (MATH) < University of California, Berkeley”>http://bulletin.berkeley.edu/courses/math/&lt;/a&gt; shows:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>From the description, it is an advanced course emphasizing theory and proofs. The prerequisite, Math 104, is a rigorous real analysis course emphasizing theory and proofs of calculus.</p>

Hi, I’m a new admit in College of Chemistry, and they refuse to give credit for Math 1B despite my having taken IB Math HL. I have learnt most if not all of the material in school or in the gap years since, so I want to go ahead and take Math 53 and/or 54 in Summer during Freshman Edge to finish two potentially difficult technicals ahead of time. My question is: Will they allow me to take Math 53 and/or 54 without an official record of something Math 1B-equivalent?

http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/students/current-undergraduates/exam-credit-info says that “Syllabi are evaluated on a case-by-case basis for equivalency to Math 1A and 1B”. Assuming that you got at least a 5, did your IB math HL course include some introductory differential equations material that is found at the end of Math 1B (see https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math1B )? If not, that may be why they do not accept it for Math 1B. If you take Math 54, you should self-study that material before Math 54 gets to the differential equations part.

The registration system is said not to check completion of prerequisite courses by students posting here.

Hi! Anyone please answer my question…?

I will be attending College of Letters and Science this fall! I have a question regarding my schedule. I want to major in Physics, and it says on the department website that the prerequisite courses (lower division) for Physics7A-C are Math1A-B.

However, I wonder if I am able to skip Math 1A and go directly to 1B or 53.
I scored 5 in AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, and AP Physics C: Mechanics and have perfect scores in SAT Math2C and SAT Physics.

Could you guys please tell me if it is possible to skip Math 1A?

:slight_smile:

Oddly, the physics department web site mentions nothing about its policies on AP calculus. If you want to be sure, ask directly.

Assuming that the physics department is ok with skipping Math 1A or 1A+1B with your 5 on AP calculus BC (as the math department is for math majors), then you may want to try the old final exams for these courses to check your knowledge: https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/archives/exams

The physics department web site does say that AP physics credit should not be used to skip Physics 7A or 7B. Students with a strong interest and previous background in physics may wish to consider taking Physics H7A. Old final exams for physics courses can be found at https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/ if you want to see how much your AP physics knowledge overlaps with physics courses.

“A college math course will cover material at approximately twice the speed that you saw in high school.”

Oh God. 8-X

Hi- I am from out of state an oblivious to the class names. I applied for eecs (got accepted to UCLA’s program). I got 5 on the BC Calculus exam junior year (5-AB subscore), and took multivariable calculus through creighton university (transferrable credit i think), I will have gotten an A both semesters. Do you think I will have to retake Multi-Variable, or just go into DIffy-q’s?
-thanks

Math 53 is the multivariable calculus course at Berkeley. It is described here:
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math53

If the math department accepts your course from elsewhere as equivalent, then you need not take Math 53.

You can take Math 54 if you want or needed for your major, regardless of your subject credit status for Math 53. However, note that some introductory differential equations material is taught in Math 1B, and the math department advises students who skip Math 1B with a 5 on the BC exam to self-study this material before taking Math 54.
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/ap-exams
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math1B
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math54

Hey everyone,
I was planning on taking Math 1B first semester, first year at Berkeley. However, the plan of study for the Computer Science BA major recommends that I take Math 1B junior year. When is the best time to take Math 1B?

The L&S CS major has considerable flexibility in when you take the math courses and EE 16A. Not sure why they suggest waiting that long on Math 1B, though. Assuming you just recently completed calculus AB (= Math 1A) in high school, you might as well take Math 1B while the Math 1A stuff is still fresh.