I just finished my junior year of high school and I am in the IB diploma program. I had never been in a pre calc class so i signed up for IB Math studies my junior year and it is a two year course. im worried about how that transfers to college. Does math studies prepare you for calculus? could i jump into calculus in college? or does ib math studies make me behind in math?
You should be fine in Calc 1, possibly Calc 2. My D did the HL Math sequence and tested straight into Calc 3.
You’ll be okay for calc 1 and will find some of the material familiar in college calc 1. You will not be as well prepared for calc as if you had done regular math SL. You will, how, see some things you would not encounter in a calc class. It’s a bit broader but less deep.
What are you planning on doing at college?
Are you recommended for SL but would rather take Math Studies, or were you recommended for Math Studies?
I took Math studies and had no trouble in college. However I never needed to take calculus in college. In addition, because it’s known to be easy, I took two foreign languages and philosophy to show I could handle rigor. (Also
What major are you thinking of? Most majors require statistics, not calculus. Math studies will not prepare you for calculus well but will be fine for stats.
I’m interested in being a doctor. I’m taking studies next year as well because at my school you can’t switch once you are in.
Math studies includes some calculus as well as some stats, but not the college course equivalent of either. It’s a decent foundation for college math but you will be less prepared than your classmates who took SL math (or AP calculus )
What are your HL’s and SL’s? Could you take AP calculus AB?
Why a doctor? (I’ve noticed many juniors say that when they’re decent at many subjects and don’t know what to do later as a job.)
I have not taken pre calc so I can’t take AP calculus. I’m just worried I’ll be behind in math in college if I plan on being a doctor
What was our grade in Algebra2?
I ended with a high B
Math studies IMO is for kids who will never do a calc class. I see it as a disadvantage. Is there a summer math class that would allow you to change into math SL (a one year class in many IB programs). Look at make up intensives by your education dept, your local U for math classes, or maybe your CC.
I agree that if you want to take calculus in college Math SL would be much better. You’ll need pre-calculus and calculus for business economics, and stem. All other majors will have statistics or ‘math to understand the world’ classes similar to Math studies.
Again though, what major are you aiming at for undergrad and where?
I’m still not fully sure but I’m leaning towards becoming a neurosurgeon. I don’t know if calculus is needed to do that. I can’t take SL math . I have to stick to studies
You need to excel in calculus and science. Are you taking Psychology, Biology, and chemistry HL?
Biology and psychology . My school only allows people to take one natural science so I can’t take chemistry
You might be ready for Calculus in college. Math studies does introduce Calculus.
But if not, many colleges offer college algebra and precalculus No need to rush into something you aren’t prepared for. Take a placement test at your college.
At our school, math studies did introduce calculus. But OP doesn’t have an option in any case…
i took psychology sl and biology hl. You cant take two IB sciences at my school