<p>Heres my dillema. Two years ago ( junior year of hs), I took Calculus. I guess I knew the material pretty well because I got a 5 on the AB and a 4 on the BC. When I went to UCSB orientation they told me that I I COULDN"T take calc there because I had already gotten a 5 on the AB. They said I had to go right to a class entitled " Linear Algebra and differential equations" Does anybody know about this class? I havn't taken any calc in 2 years!! I bet it would come back to me, how much calc is important in linear algebra anyway. AM I screwed? How hard is this class?</p>
<p>linear algebra wasnt a hard class when i took it last year, but I dont go to UCSB. I think you'll be fine though.</p>
<p>It's odd that they'd have you skip over multivariable calc. It's not really needed for LA, but it's usually required for diff eqs. It's also odd that they combine the two- are you an engineer?</p>
<p>Why would they tell you that you CAN'T take calc? Usually they would just say you don't have to.... Anyway, I strongly recommend that you take Calculus II over there, preferably an honors calc II. This is because most high schools don't teach Calc classes fully enough. In my high school, the class is taught towards the AP exam, and the teacher isn't all that good. I've talked to several profs who have said that most of the students who fail their courses are kids who skipped out of Calc II with AP credit. </p>
<p>Linear algebra is hard for some people, really easy for others. This class that you are talking about also combines differential equations, so you really do need to have a strong grasp on calculus. Also, what happened to Vector Calculus (Calc III in some colleges or whatever multivariable calc). </p>
<p>If none of that can be done, look over some calc before you take the class (or during the beginning, you dont want to fall too behind) and just study hard at first. Meet some of your classmates who seem to know their stuff...</p>
<p>By the way, I am in high school, but have taken several math classes at a University and have gotten to know several university professors.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips.... but does Linear Algebra itself ( not including diff equations) need calc?</p>
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Thanks for the tips.... but does Linear Algebra itself ( not including diff equations) need calc?
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<p>For those asking about multivariable, it could be that UCSB normally teaches Linear Algebra and DiffEQ before Calc III. At Rice they recommend DiffEQ prior to multivariable.</p>
<p>You can easily have a linear algebra class without calculus, but a lot of schools incorporate calculus into linear algebra since so many people have taken it before they enroll in LA. You could always ask a professor about it. Differential equations definitely requires calculus knowledge.</p>
<p>There's really no hurry though. You might want to consider taking calculus II, even though you've APed out of it.</p>
<p>You don't really need calculus in linear algebra. I will say that lower division linear algebra is usually pretty manageable but upper div linear algebra is really freakin hard.</p>
<p>I found linear algebra quite fun and like little puzzles. You don't really need any calculus, but it basically teaches you how to solve multi-variable systems of equations using matrices. So, just as it sounds, it requires a more fundamental understanding of algebra than calculus.</p>
<p>I think you are getting wrong information or misunderstanding what you were told. Check the actual rules at UCSB. I believe you do not have to take the more advanced class and can actually start in Calc. However, if you start in calc, you will not get the AP credit. In other words, your choice is to skip calc or give up the AP credit. Moreover, unless you are a math, science, or engineering major, I would look into why you have to take any math class at all but instead just take the AP credits and find something else to meet any gen ed requirement.</p>
<p>Linear algebra does not necessarily require calc, but that second description of the course "differential equations" definitely does and you will be lost in it without calc.</p>
<p>Linear Algebra = Vectors, Matrices</p>
<p>Differential Equations = Differentiation, Integrals...so a little refresher of Calc is recommended</p>
<p>LA is often one of the easiest courses - at that level - taught by the math department.</p>