M 305g

[buriedalie]

<p>Will this course (M 305G - "Preparation for Calculus") help me do well in calculus? I realize that that may seem like a really, really stupid question, but I'm being serious. The course is closed right now, but I'm holding out hope that maybe I can get into it if I sit with my finger on the button come add/drop time... </p>

<p>Poor planning on my part led me to completely skip a year of math during my senior year. I just assumed -- and my dad had me convinced -- that I would never need to take advanced math courses if I was a liberal arts major. Well, lo and behold, I've decided to change majors, and one of the basic prerequisites for the major I want to get into requires M 408K and L (or C and D, but I'm taking the K and L route). I am NOT a math person (though I've always done pretty well in my math courses) and I haven't taken math since the second semester of my junior year - yikes - so I think jumping right into calculus would be a huge mistake. I'm planning on taking the two courses this summer at my local community college so I can give them my undivided attention and so I won't be overwhelmed at UT (where everyone apparently fails calculus :P) </p>

<p>Also, can I take the ALEKS exam anytime or is there a formal process? (never thought I'd type those words)</p>

<p>Any help? Thanks in advance.</p>

[Fiyero]

<p>If you’ve been away from math a year and it isn’t your strong point anyway, then I think 305G would be helpful. Going straight into calculus might not be a good idea for you. It isn’t that it can’t be done, but your grades might take a hit. </p>

<p>At UT, you will find many people in the calculus classes which could have tested out of them. For example, I took 408C there two years ago. The class average on some tests would be like 65-70, yet there were always a core group of people making 100. The class was curved so that only 16% made an A. It was very hard to be part of that A group when so many could have tested out of it. </p>

<p>If you are not a math person, as you say, then the idea of taking them at a community college might be a very good one. You’ll get much more individualized attention there. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>