<p>For those of you who don't know, Math 55 is the freshman course that goes by "Honors Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra," but as legend has it, places you just below Jesus in the academic heirarchy at Harvard.</p>
<p>As many Harvard freshman are - ambitious and looking to make an intellectual statement - quite a few will try their hand at the advertised "24-60 hr/week" problem sets.</p>
<p>So, nevermind sticking to the course, is anyone on CC going to try to take it? If yes, do you have 1337 USAMO scores (trying to gauge what other's are feeling)?</p>
<p>They move very quickly too - they finish single, and multivariable calculus and linear algebra in three weeks or so. This is probably because they assume you 1) know the material (which several dozen coming in think they do) and 2) have the mathematical sophistication to write proofs at a high level.</p>
<p>And, per my original post, could posters please indicate their levels of preparation, USAMO scores, etc?</p>
<p>Haha what is this? some kind of scholarship application?</p>
<p>I never took the USAMO, nor have ever really heard of it (outside of CC). Math is something I like, and I've never been intimidated by a course... just my personality. If this is were too hard for me then I'd know my limit, what's so bad about that? And yes, I looked at the problem sets. Yes they're hard. And no, I'm not going to throw out my stats as I don't see how they would contribute to the conversation in a productive manner.</p>
<p>Hold on, does Harvard require all freshmen to take this course? If so, do I have to take a placement exam to avoid it? I will have taken vector calculus and diff. equ by the end of the year.</p>
<p>This is Harvard's most advanced freshman math course. No one is required to take it, and few people choose to do so. Even fewer actually go through with it till the end.</p>
<p>Viscardi is! hehe of course. If I somehow end up at H, I'll probably sign up for it and give it a try just for fun, or at least sit in on some classes, and watch my F-less record disappear before it even begins :)</p>
<p>o.o are there any classes that are easier than calc BC? because i'm in math IBH right now and it's kicking my ass and i think math HL and calc BC are pretty similar in terms of level of difficulty. ugh i detest math.</p>
<p>Cool class. I am rather scared. Not sure if I will jump in though.</p>
<p>The class must be really hard. Most freshmen who think they know math at Harvard probably finished Linear Algebra even before they come to Harvard. Out of 1000+ freshmen, only 20 students......</p>
<p>Pure amazement. Oh, by the way, I am not that good at math. (my screen name "ultimatemath" is more of a self-sarcasm. :) )</p>
<p>Edit: Oh, what other options are there for freshmen math classes? Is Math 55 designed only for math majors? My major is no where close to theoratical math :)</p>
<p>For someone who probably won't major in math and who isn't really concerned with physical sciences, but is looking for a class harder than Calc BC, try Math 23.</p>
<p>Math 25 is in between Math 55 and 23, I think.</p>
<p>Math 55 is filled with math superstars. </p>
<p>Seriously.</p>
<p>My friend is taking the class now, and he reports that IMO winners from countries around the world are enrolled (Bulgarian gold medal winner). </p>
<p>Michael Vascardi plans on taking it. That should tell you something about the class!</p>
<p>Well I don't like math. But I feel as though Harvard is like, daring me to take it... </p>
<p>like, "come on little freshmen, that's right, you ARE smart, you got into HARVARD... after all, it's just a little MATH... can't you do math? of course you can - so just take the class. that's right... math 55 - that's the one... good."</p>
<p>Should I retake Linear algebra and multivariable calculus? My major is engineering science, so it does involve math, but I dont' think i need math 55.</p>
<p>Edit: What is a good linear algebra text book? The current one I use is the Elementary Linear Algebra by Larson, but it is, well, too elementary. Even my prof said that.</p>
<p>In fact, I hate to say this, but the Math 55a problem sets look... well... easy. I have some experience with real analysis/rigorous linear algebra, and that might make a difference, but still... they don't look bad at all.</p>
<p>Math 55b looks substantially harder, but keep in mind that students don't lock themselves in rooms to do these problem sets - they work on them in groups, with plenty of brilliant students to share ideas. In that context, I don't think they're really so awful.</p>
<p>Apparently Math 55 is too easy for the Bulgarian kid... he skips class to audit some higher level math class. I know a couple kids in the class, both have math profs for parents and have taken around 2 years of college math (one at Berkley, one at Yale).</p>
<p>There's a VERY wide range of math classes at Harvard. You could even skip 55 and go straight into graduate level stuff. Or you could start with Math Xa and do precalculus. You'll take a placement test during orientation week which will give you some advice... and there's also tons of advising available + all that.</p>