<p>So I'm transferring to UC Berkeley and they require Discrete Math or 1 other math class for me to declare my Psychology major.</p>
<p>So it is highly recommended to take Calculus for maturity before entering it, and I suck at math but I need it for my major. I'm not even yet at Trig and have no time to build into Calc. </p>
<p>I have some Algebra 2 knowledge and was wondering if Discrete Math is gonna kick me in the gluteus maximus without the recommended Calc? I really need Discrete Math but will not have time to meet the recommended requirement.</p>
<p>I was hoping to take it and get tutored and take advantage of study time, and read ahead, if it helps.</p>
<p>Discrete Math is a mish mash course of sets and logic, counting and combinatorial principles, recurrence, Boolean algebra, graph theory, and algorithms. With such an insanely packed curriculum, you don’t go too deeply into any particular topic. </p>
<p>Calculus is about functions of a real (non-discrete) variable, measuring their rates of change given some formula, defining integrals of continuous functions (and in analysis, measurable functions). Calc only expects elementary abstraction, but you still need the intuitive notion of set. Intro courses focus on computation and not on conceptual understanding. This is true for any intro course.</p>
<p>According to Assist, you either need to take Stat 2 and Stat 20 at Berk OR linear algebra/ODEs OR discrete.</p>
<p>If you’re not even at trig, and if you don’t want to take more math than you have to, your easiest option is to take the statistics courses. Otherwise, you’ll have to take 2 semesters of Calc, then discrete (which has a prerequisite of 2 semesters of calc at my school), or 3 Semesters of calc (including multivariable), then Lin Alg/ODEs.</p>
<p>If you’re transferring next fall, then good luck. If you’re transferring sometime in the future, then good luck.</p>
<p>First day of my discrete math class my teacher said that the Calc 1 requirement was just, as you mentioned, a “maturity” requirement to filter out people. You’ll mostly be looking at proofs, logic and working with small integers. You won’t ever use anything from Calc.</p>
<p>That being said, it is a very hard class and the maturity requirement is there for a reason since people who arent as math inclined as people who have taken calc will most likely struggle with it. You said you can also do 1 other math class. I recommend something like statistics or college algebra. </p>
<p>@sega18: I already took Statistics intro, and I am transferring this Fall, but Psychology requires 1 more math course in order to declare, which is why I am looking into Discrete Math. Discrete Math is the only other course that has not specific Calculus requirement (only a recommended), whereas Stat 2 requires Calculus and I cannot get into Calculus in enough time, since I have to declare by 80 units.</p>
<p>@RamonaFalls: 1 other math class from their list, which consists of Linear Algebra and Stats 2, but they all require Calculus. Discrete Math does not specifically require Calc at UCB but it recommends it. Unfortunately, I think I have no other choice, and I’m very screwed.</p>
<p>as someone who has taken many classes I can say that Discrete Math is not easy. you dont need Calculus however knowing how to write proofs is not easy to pick up. I will say it is definitely harder than the first part of Calculus.</p>
<p>@imaplealot I’m pretty sure psych only requires one math class. Where did you see that ucb psych requires 1 more class on top of stats to declare?</p>
<p>Discrete Math and calculus are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Discrete Math requires you to understand what you’re doing, so there is hardly any algebra involved. Calculus, on the other hand, is algebra intensive. Neither are difficult, but each require their own tricks to do well. If you work hard, you’ll be good! Just put in the time because if you don’t, every class is hard. Coming from someone who’s taken every math course the college offers. </p>