Math 104/105

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>I have taken both AP AB Calculus and AB BC Calculus, with a 5 on the AB test
(expecting a 5 on the BC test). My SAT scores are above 700 (barely) in Math and I have
a 34 on the math section on the ACT.</p>

<p>I was considering taking Math 103, intermediate calculus, until I saw the
notification for Math 105:</p>

<p>The</a> new course Mathematics 105</p>

<p>...so then I contemplated taking Math 104 in the fall (as I'm pretty sure I'm
going to major in Mathematics or Statistics). However, after looking around
the duke math web page, I discovered this little tidbit of information about
Math 104.</p>

<p>"Although Math 32 or Math 41 is listed as a prerequisite for this course, it is
not a good idea for an incoming student with AP credit for Math 32 (and no
other math credit) to enroll in this course. Those first-year students who take
this course usually enter with transfer credit for Math 103, or they take this
course in the spring after taking Math 103 in the fall. Some students who enter
with Math 31 credit and take Math 32 in the fall, go on to this course in the
spring, but that is unusual. The question here is one of college experience and
"mathematical maturity." Most students who take Math 104 have already had Math
103 at Duke. "</p>

<p>So, should I take Math 103
in the fall or Math 104 then 105?</p>

2

<p>Up to now I think most people who take math took multivariable before taking linear algebra</p>

3

<p>Yeah, math 105 is a new course being offered next spring, so no one would have taken this track before.</p>

4

<p>It was offered first during the Spring 2008 term, which was this past term. Unfortunately, I didn't find a course evaluation for it on duke's website so they must not have uploaded it yet.</p>

5

<p>My friend (who is an excellent student) took math 104 his first semester and said that he did feel like he was a little behind his older classmates.</p>

6

<p>I'm pretty sure that's what I would feel like, but if I'm going to be a math major, will I be better qualified if I take Math 104 first?</p>

<p>AArgh, so confusing.</p>

7

<p>"We strongly encourage prospective Mathematics majors to take Mathematics 104 followed by Mathematics 105 instead of Mathematics 103 followed by Mathematics 104. "</p>

<p>Assuming I understand what's going on here, math 103 and math 105 cover the same subject, but at different levels and in a slightly different way. Math 105 assumes linear algebra, will be a little bit more difficult, and more in line with the way things will be done in future upper-level math courses. If you're planning on going into pure math, there's no particular reason you need to take 103. There are a couple schools where students planning on going into math don't take multivariable calculus (as most people know it) and go straight into theoretical math from the start.</p>

8

<p>So, what about people who want to do Applied Math? Still take the 104 105 route?</p>

<p>Old threads are nice, btw! :)</p>

9

<p>Then be a stats major; they just created one two years ago</p>