<p>I want to place into Honors Calc for next year, but I have only taking Calc AB in HS. I want to teach myself Calc II to make it easier for me to place into it. What are some good resources for me to use? Also, how hard would it be for me to place into Honors Calc with only Calc AB?</p>
<p>Unless things have changed, I think they will let anyone who legitimately places into regular 150s calculus take honors calculus if he or she wants to (and is willing to do the work). AB should be plenty enough to get you there. Basically, they want to teach you calculus again from the beginning anyway – you just need a strong enough pre-calc background to be ready for it. Taking any level AP calculus shows that you have that.</p>
<p>They don’t have the textbook listed for Math 161 yet, but 163 for last spring lists Calculus by Spivak and Tools of the Trade by Sally. I’d guess that at least Spivak is used in 161 as well.</p>
<p>BTW, I got this by looking at [University</a> of Chicago Time Schedules](<a href=“http://timeschedules.uchicago.edu%5DUniversity”>http://timeschedules.uchicago.edu).</p>
<p>If you place into 150s calc, you can petition to take 160s instead. (I placed into 153, but ended up in the 160s instead). 151 and 161 start at the same place, but the 160s are entirely proof-based. I would suggest, if you are really serious about it, looking at the 160s textbook, Michael Spivak’s ‘Calculus.’</p>
<p>When you get placed, they give you two placements: one class that they think is really appropriate for your level, and another that they’ll allow you to register for if you really want a challenge. I took AB in high school (and retained almost nothing of it), and my placements were 152/161. So if you do well in AB, I can’t see you being barred from Honors.</p>
<p>Now, when you get to taking the classes themselves, it’s an entirely different story; I, for one, found Honors Calc to be quite difficult and not worth the time I was spending on it. Remember that the placements are there to help you figure out what is the best fit for you.</p>
<p>I’m doing it, primarily because I’m a maths major.
I think it will prepare me for the more advanced classes better than the 150’s will prepare me.</p>
<p>The 160s sequence is the pride of the mathematics department: as long as you take the calculus placement test (offered during O-Week), they’ll let you give it a try. And yes, they will use Spivak; Tools of the Trade is only used in 163 in order to give you an introduction to linear algebra (vector spaces, linear transformations, matrices, etc.).</p>
<p>Poly, if you choose to take 160s, that’s probably the right choice, and you will be able to try it, for the reasons apple1984 gives. They are really proud of 160s calculus. However, if for some reason you don’t do it, or if other people less certain of their math futures are reading this, you should be aware that the math department offers another course, 199, explicitly designed for students who took 150s or 130s calculus to catch up to the 160s people. You will not be left behind permanently if you take a lower course sequence than 160s.</p>
<p>Like JHS said, there’s nothing wrong with the 150’s and 199 route to real analysis. I started off with 199 and I’ve been doing just fine in the real analysis sequence. </p>
<p>It all depends on how comfortable you are with proofs. If 160s was the highest class you placed into and you’ve only taken AB Calc, I’m going to guess that it will be a challenge, but depending on how devoted you are, it can definitely be a rewarding one. Of course, maybe you have prior exposure to proofs and then you should have a blast. </p>
<p>I’m not familiar with what Calc AB gets you. Do you have the option of starting in 153? You could take the 153 - 199 route if you can, though I don’t know if I’d recommend that considering you haven’t taken BC.</p>
<p>Taking the entire 150’s sequence and then 199 is also an option. I would recommend this if you want to sort of take it easy and ease yourself into math at UChicago. After finishing 150’s, 199 will definitely give you an idea of what to expect in real analysis. </p>
<p>I’m probably only confusing you, but there’s also a whole slew of options for you after this. The math dept. here offers 3 flavors of real analysis that are all labelled 203-204-205 in the course catalog. They are the IBL, accelerated (or Rudin), and regular sections. Basically IBL is the class teaching itself (sounds crazy but is apparently a lot of fun, also you will probably get a 3 day weekend if you take this class), Rudin is challenging from what I hear, and the regular I’m taking is basically real analysis at the non-honors (think 150s) level. </p>
<p>In other words, if you take 160’s, save for a few exceptional individuals who then go on to 207, you will probably be recommended to take the Rudin analysis section. If you take 150s and are worried that you won’t be up to task, you can always opt for the regular section, which still covers all the material and proves everything rigorously - you’ll basically just have easier problem sets. </p>
<p>I could go on talking about algebra/honors algebra after this, but this is probably enough to get on with for now. If you’re curious go on the course catalog online.</p>
<p>A 5 on Calc AB will give you credit for 151, and OP, like everyone has said before - if you have taken any calculus in the past you will definitely be “urged to take 161”, and if for some insane reason your placement doesn’t say that, just stop by Diane Hermann’s office hours during O-Week when she changes placements and let her know you are interested.</p>