Is Berkeley strict with pre-reqs?

<p>Is Berkeley strict with the pre-reqs that they won't let you take courses if you haven't completed the pre-reqs? </p>

<p>Let's say I got a 5 on AP Calc BC (which means I can skip both 1A and 1B) but I end up taking 16B since I don't want to deal with 1B and I am a pre-haas major. But later on, I want to take a course that has Math 1A/B as pre-req. Would I be able to take that class? (specifically Econ courses that are related to math stuff)</p>

<p>Thanks guys and enjoy your summer!</p>

<p>I think if AP gives you credit for a class, you can take classes that have those credited classes as prerequisites.</p>

<p>Even if Im actually taking 16B instead of the 1 series?</p>

<p>The scheduling system does not enforce prerequisites.</p>

<p>But if you want to take more advanced math courses than 1B, just take them and don’t bother with 16B, since Haas will accept 53 or 54. The economics courses that require 1B also require 53 (101A), or 53 and 54 (103, 141). So just take 53 and 54 if you are confident in your 1B knowledge (note the introductory differential equations stuff in 1B, though; you may need to self-study it before 54); 16B would just be a waste of schedule space.</p>

<p>Do you think you can tell me more about Econ 101 series? Obviously it requires more math but like can you go into more details? Are they just different topics as 100 series?</p>

<p>The Econ 101 series rigorously uses calculus to justify the economics concepts taught in the courses, whereas Econ 100 uses minimal calculus (Econ 100B generally uses none; Econ 100A generally uses fairly straightforward differentiation/integration). In broad terms, though, the focus of both series is the same and both fulfill the same requirements for Haas. </p>

<p>You really have 3 options: you can take 16B at some point during your first 2 years (followed by no further math) and use it toward your remaining calculus pre-req for Haas. This is ideal if your priority is your GPA relative to a second major or minor that requires further math and relative to learning the material at a deeper level for personal benefit.</p>

<p>Your 2nd option is to take 16B within your first 3 semesters for Haas and then taking 53/54 in your 4th semester so that you get your 53/54 grade back after your conditional decision, meaning that, as long as you pass the class, you should be ok. The benefit here is that the GPA risk of 53/54 is lower, but you have less time to take further classes that require 53/54 as a pre-req. This option is ideal if you do want to do a second major or minor that requires 53/54 and can fit in that major/minor based on the unit ceiling using this route.</p>

<p>Your 3rd option is to take 53/54 within your first 4 semesters so that it counts for Haas. The advantage here is that you can more quickly jump into classes that require 53/54, with the drawback that your 53/54 grade will count toward your pre-req GPA for Haas.</p>

<p>It ultimately comes down to your priorities, namely whether getting into Haas means more to you than whatever you would do with 53/54 math.</p>

<p>Same topics, taught more in-depth with more math.</p>

<p>See lecture 1 notes here for a discussion on the math prerequisites for Economics 101A:</p>

<p>[Economic</a> Theory - Micro 101A, Fall Semester 2006](<a href=“http://elsa.berkeley.edu/users/webfac/dellavigna/e101a_f06/e101a_f06.shtml]Economic”>http://elsa.berkeley.edu/users/webfac/dellavigna/e101a_f06/e101a_f06.shtml)</p>