<p>A friend of mine is studying at Harvard right now... He transferred over from Dartmouth and is starting his second term as a sophomore... he wants me to ask sometthing for him...</p>
<p>He is thinking of taking Mathematics 21a. Multivariable Calculus, with the pre-req of Math 1b.... he did not take any math at harvard (cuz he just got there), but he got an A in freshmen calculus at Dartmouth... he knows about 3/4 of 1b material well... He got a 4 on calc BC without anystudying in grade 12.. so the question is... how hard is it to get an A in math 21a and how hard a course is it? he doesnt want to take first year calculus anymore and want to take a harder course. but he is worried that 21a might be too much for him.. </p>
<p>any comments would be appreciated...thx in advance</p>
<p>I have friends who have taken both 21a and 21a applied. They recommend 21a applied because apparently its easier. But I haven't taken any of these courses, just what I've heard. I'm sure he could ask around to find out...</p>
<p>21 ought to be doable, as it is the easiest of the four Harvard courses on multivariable calculus, but, as Texas137 said, the way to get the answer to this question is to talk to the department advisor.</p>
<p>Math 21a is the probably the second easiest course in multivariable calculus. I would rank them as follows:</p>
<p>Math 55a (which is hardly done justice my calling it multivariable calculus!)
Math 25a (ditto, although to a lesser extent)
Math 23a
Math 21a
Applied math 21a</p>
<p>All of the classes, especially the first three, have very generous grading schemes (but this might have a lot to do with ability and self-selection). There is nothing particularly hard or tricky about the material covered in Math 21a and most people who take it are quite capable of doing well.</p>