Math 104 / placement / AP Calc BC

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>What is more reasonable/smarter to do:
1) Take the AP Calc BC test at the end of senior year to get credit for Math 104. OR
2) Take the Internal Department Placement Test for Math 104 at the beginning of the semester to get credit for Math 104.</p>

<p>I know both of them give you credit for the course (1 c.u.) and the Internal Placement Test is free unlike the AP test, but which one is smarter/easier to do? And is it the right decision to try to get out of Math 104?</p>

<p>Also, if we take the internal placement test for Math 114, do you also get credit for that course? What course is Math 114 (Calculus II or what?).</p>

2

<p>the calc sequence is slightly different at Penn than at other schools, so while Math 104 and Math 114 are called Calc I and II at Penn, they would really be Calc II and III at other schools. This is because Math 104 assumes that you’ve had some calculus in high school, such as having taken a course equivalent to AB. Math 114 is multivariable calculus, including things like partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, and ending at line integrals and Green’s theorem. If you have taken BC calc, you should go right into 114. Math 104 is a huge weed out course; the professors are usually bad and things are made a lot more complicated than they need be. The curve is also very harsh from what I hear. The material in Math 114 is not that hard (it’s all from the textbook which is very helpful and easy to follow) and the grading is much more generous.
As for which placement exam to take, if you plan to take 114 your first semester, you get retroactive credit for 104 if you get a C or better in 114.</p>

3

<p>Wait, is there a placement exam for Math 114, as in if I take the exam I can bypass 114 as well. Currently I am in Multivariable Calculus, and we have just got to Line Integrals, so that would be nice to knock out another math class without having to actually take it.</p>

4

<p>Nevermind, I looked it up, there is a placement exam for Math 114, I read through it, it is definitely more difficult than my current course, but hey its Penn.</p>

5

<p>i forgot about the retroactive credit. anyways, if i just want to be sure i at least have credit for 104, is it smarter to take the AP test or the internal department placement test?</p>

6

<p>I think the AP exam would probably be significantly easier.</p>

7

<p>^ thank you.</p>

<p>any idea how hard Stats 111 is??</p>

8

<p>You do not need to take the placement in order to enroll in MATH114. Just register, show up and get two credits if you get a C or better.</p>