<p>We are going to orientation next week, but just curious/unclear about the differences and pros/cons to taking the 2 course sequence vs. M 118. According to the descriptions, 116 and 117 are two 8 week courses (2 cr. each) that equal 118. Do they go at a slightly slower pace? Although it sounds like it is overall same material in same time, just divided into 2 courses. </p>
<p>Also trying to understand focus of finite math. DD is SPEA DA, so just needs Gen Ed math modeling requirements. She is okay in math, but not her strongest. (Solid As in algebra, algebra 2, Pre calc. Not as strong in geometry. Math SAT was 600 and ACT sub score was 27. Compared to 700 verbal and 33 reading and verbal sub scores...obviously math isn't her strength area! Highest level in HS was Pre-calc.)</p>
<p>Will the advisors be able to make good recommendations based on placement test?</p>
<p>Thoughts on finite for "average" math students? Recommended 118 profs? Any to avoid if you aren't the strongest in math?</p>
<p>M 118 is not, from my experience, a difficult class, though many seem to have trouble with it. It is, however, a class that takes a fair amount of work to succeed in, simply because there is a lot of material to cover. The math level a student has covered in high school is no real issue as the actual math of the course is not complex, just a bit different to anyone who has not taken a similar course (as was the case with me). I must warn that math has always been a strong point for me, so it really ended up being a bit of a blow off class in my case, but for someone less confident mathematically, they should be fine with a good deal of studying.</p>
<p>Thanks…that’s helpful, and she just might need to balance it out with the rest of her courses. Any insight to the reasons why some might opt for the 116/117 sequence?</p>
<p>It’s a longer sequence. I would guess a student in a school that does not require M118 and and has a weakness for math. I agree with theoldguitarist in his assessment of M118. </p>
<p>I’m just guessing here and don’t take this as fact. But it’s probably best to take M118 over the two classes. Those are typically for students who really struggle, but this may not be the case for this circumstance.</p>
<p>Thanks…sounds like 118 would make the most sense vs. the 2 course sequence. I guess the placement test will provide her with some guidance around 118 or 119. She found Pre-calc to be pretty easy this past year. Although not sure if that is a good predictor of how she would do in actual calc. From what I understand about finite, it might be more relevant to the SPEA curriculum, which includes econ, stats, policy analysis, business, etc. Oh well…she’ll figure it out with the help of the advisor.</p>
<p>If your daughter is a direct admit to SPEA, you don’t have to worry about taking M118 Finite at IUB and its effect on gpa if she can take it from a cc in summer. A “C” at a community college is all she needs for M118 credit at IUB, and the grade will not be included in her IU gpa. A “C” in M118 at IUB will pretty much wreck her freshman gpa. You can use the credit transfer service to see if finite that is offered at a school in your area can be transfered for credit to IUB.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, our local cc doesn’t have a direct transfer for M 118…we even submitted some course descriptions to the credit transfer service for review. The local cc has a comparable class for 211 and the lower level math classes (like 25, etc.). I’m wondering if she should consider online through Ivy Tech. She wants to spread out the math, Econ, and stats. She is waiting on Econ AP results, so won’t register for Econ for fall. Sounds like maybe she should defer on 118 for now. Maybe get a science credit out of the way instead?</p>
<p>Are there any other colleges around you besides your cc that offers the classes? My local cc was not eligible for transferable credits to IU but a cc a county away is. I’m taking an Econ class there and a Calc class at a small state university further away.</p>
<p>Not being at a local cc can be expensive, though. That’s the drawback.</p>
<p>We are in a fairly large metro area, so I’m sure we can find something at a local school. She is inclined to just take it at IU, knowing she will have to put extra effort into it and possibly seek tutoring. She will probably end up taking an Econ at the local cc, depending on how she fares with AP exams. She is confident she got at least 3s, but unsure if she got 4 on either of them. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions and input everyone!</p>
<p>I don’t know for certain, but I don’t think you can take Finite entirely online from Ivy Tech. I think the midterm and final exams are taken under proctored conditions at the host Ivy Tech campus in the computer/learning lab. This thread from the Ivy Tech message board implies that the Finite course may not be entirely online. It refers to Math 136 instead of Math 135 (Finite at Ivy Tech), but maybe it also requires proctored exams.<br>
[Ivy</a> Tech Community College ? View topic - HAVE YOU TAKEN MATH 136 ONLINE?](<a href=“http://wwwapps.ivytech.edu/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=25248]Ivy”>http://wwwapps.ivytech.edu/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=25248)</p>
<p>Ivy Tech has a list of proctor sites, but, of course, these are all in Indiana. I know my son took Astronomy A100 from the Bloomington campus and had no proctored tests at all-- everything was done online.</p>