<p>So i am looking for input from people who are math/science/engineering majors.</p>
<p>I am thinking of taking Linear algebra during the summer at UCI and i was wondering how difficult it is compared to Calculus (1-3). Linear algebra is usually taught along with differential equations in a semester system. But UCI made them into two classes and I was thinking of taking linear algebra during the summer. If anyone has any input about this course that would be highly appreciate.</p>
<p>I took it at my jc., thought it was easier than calc. I would take it, I think the hardness of the class depends on your teacher. If they are heavy on proofs and theoretical stuff I guess it has the potential to be a very difficult class.</p>
<p>I think linear is harder than cal…</p>
<p>cuz some concept in linear is difficult to understand, but cal is just like another way of doing algebra…</p>
<p>i took linear algebra in a university and i found it MUCH harder than any of the calc courses. </p>
<p>however usually in calc courses they allow you a calculator etc especially in JC, but at the university my Linear Algebra class the test averages where like 40 %, must show all work and EXPLAIN - if you just do the work with no explnation and get the right answer you will not get full credit. </p>
<p>it really depends on your teacher though like the other person said. Linear algebra is really abstract and my class was really theoretical with no applications what so ever.</p>
<p>well just to mention the topics in the class, they are : </p>
<p>2J Infinite Series and Basic Linear Algebra (4) F, W, S, Summer. Lecture, three hours;
discussion, two hours. </p>
<p>Systems of linear equations: matrix operations; determinants; eigenvalues, and eigenvectors. Infinite sequences and series. Complex numbers. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2A-B. (V)</p>
<p>i just finished linear algebra… it wasnt that hard… its pretty simple… but different strokes for different folks…</p>
<p>I took Linear Algebra and ODE over the summer at UCD last year. I find linear algebra to be much easier than Cal3. Most schools allow you to take Linear Algebra right after Cal2. It’s true that everything’s abstract and all you do is pure math, but if you have taken circuits you’ll see why it is useful on the spot (Cramer’s rule, Gaussian Elimination, etc)! Plus, it is essential to ODE, because the second-half of ODE is playing with Linear Algebra stuffs, at least it was with UCD. </p>
<p>No matter where you take it and how much material the instructor’s skipping out you’ll have to learn how to do matrix operations, determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors, so the easiness is all dependent on the instructor himself or herself.</p>
<p>i’d definately take linear algebra before ODEs. It’ll be much easier to understand the wronskian, superposition principle, and other things related to linear differential equations. I found linear algebra to be much easier than multivariable calculus and ODEs. We used the book by Lay thats also used at Berkeley’s math 54.</p>
<p>For me all of calculus was easy since I didn’t really have any trouble visualizing it. Linear algebra is a little more troubling to me since I can’t see it, I guess. I’m retaking it in the summer, since this semester I took calc3 physics and linear algebra, and the one class that needed the most time didn’t get enough of it. I should of waited to take it until after calc 3 to take it. I’m stupid. My version of the class had a lot of proofs, and the minute you forget one little axiom, or property your screwed. The computational stuff wasn’t bad though, the proofs are what killed me.</p>
<p>Single variable calc > diff eq’s > linear > multivariable and vector calc</p>
<p>I took these classes at my CC (saddleback and IVC). Linear is very abstract and uses almost no calculus. G’luck…
Also I have never heard of linear being coupled with diff eq’s at UCI… usually its infinite series… weird</p>
<p>i go to UCI and i took linear algebra last quarter. Really tough class compared to calculus. You cant just memorize formulas, you have to really understand the theory behind what you are doing. All in all you can still do well but it has been the hardest math class i have taken so far and i love math</p>
<p>Linear is a whole different beast compared to Calc. Its all fun and games till your teacher drops basics of set theory on you(Vector Spaces anyone?).</p>
<p>My linear algebra class has been my easiest class so far. I guess it probably has the potential to be hard. Really just depends on the teacher.</p>