How difficult is Math21c and physics9a

<p>I want to take Math21c as an incoming freshman since i meet the prerequisites from my AP scores. I was wondering how difficult would that be? Some suggested i should take Math21b first, but i feel that i know the material taught at 21b and would be kind of a waste of a quarter.
So for those who have taken it, exactly what kind of material is on there? How in depth do the prof go?</p>

<p>Also, i took physics in high school, but as im told, the physics9a at davis goes more indepth in general physics with calculus applications. I felt that AP Physics B in high school was fairly easy, but im not sure how much of a step it is from HS physics to Physics9.</p>

<p>physics b is noncalculus based physics… so yes, it is a leap. i suggest taking at least 1 quarter of college calc before you jump in.</p>

<p>secondly, math 21C is intense. in fact, the entire 21 series is hella intense. i haven’t taken it personally, but my friends who roughed it out in the 21 series… i felt bad for them. and these are kiddos with 5s on their AP calculus BC tests. it’s way more intense and way more in-depth than your normal high school calc class. lots of applied calculus, if i remember correctly. :/</p>

<p>Hey sutoroberrii, how intense was the 17C class compared to high school calculus? If I’m not allowed to take 17a/b for credit, I don’t know how I will take c >< (OP – sorry for interrupting your post!)</p>

<p>ahaha, nice maylix. thread hijacking, i see…</p>

<p>anyway, 17C… all i remember from my friends is that they had to do a lot of matrices. it’s not really like high school calculus at all. the 16 series is MUCH more like your high school calculus class… lol, i actually found it less intense (then again, my BC teacher taught me enough material that i didn’t study for midterms until the second midterm in math 16C).</p>

<p>idk. i personally don’t think there’s any merit in the 17 series; i think it’s there to weed you out if you wanna be premed. ^^;</p>

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<p>Physics 9a is taught quite differently than, I’d say, most high schools even though the overall concepts they cover in 9a is similar to that of high school physics curriculum. While you may be prepared for the actual material, I think that as an incoming freshman it can be a little overwhelming. I humbly suggest that most freshmen should take their first quarter of college to get comfortable with the new teaching/living style of college with a hint of ambition.</p>

<p>I echo whoever said to take 21B your first quarter instead of 21C. 21B is mainly integrals/double integrals and such which is hugely covered in your high school calculus courses. I cannot say, since I don’t know how/what your high school classes taught you, but UCD engineering/math courses generally are less problem solving based (plug and chug) and more theoretical/conceptual. 21C is taylor series and such (I don’t really remember).</p>

<p>In essence, don’t rush college. Take your time and get comfortable at least for the first quarter. College goes by so quickly as it is.</p>

<p>thanks for your responses.
Its hard to tell if i really understand these things or if its juts being ambitious
Yes, i have learned about taylor series and such. I want to take 21c, not only cause its faster and saves money, but it was my plan throughout highschool (to take APs and stuff to move ahead through college). I want to challenge myself, definitely.
Is there any online material or problem examples i can look at to test the waters?</p>

<p>Hey Steinbeck, you should e-mail the professor(s) if you can find their names. I did that for BIS 2A, and he linked me to a list of last year’s lectures :)</p>

<p>sutoroberrii: " i personally don’t think there’s any merit in the 17 series; i think it’s there to weed you out if you wanna be premed"</p>

<p>Please be careful before you say something like that. 17 series is now a requirement for anyone in the Biological Sciences major, the 16 series is not allowed anymore.</p>

<p>i am signed up for math 21c for fall quarter as a freshman entering davis too!
are u still set on taking 21c?
my advisor recommended that i go back to 21b but i want to move on and learn new topics!</p>

<p>if you think you can handle it then good. i know people who went into 21b fall quarter and struggled, and i know people who took 21d first quarter and still weren’t challenged. i personally am horrible at math :)</p>