<p>i passed my ap calc ab with a 4 which places me in math 11b/math 19b/math 20a. but i am having a hard time deciding between math 19b and math 20a. if you have taken these classes, can you tell me how it's like? please and thank you! :DDD</p>
<p>What is your final AP Calculus grade? If it is a B I think you should take Math 11B/19B, but if you got an A you can go for Math 20A if there is space for registration. According to ratemyprofessors.com (know this website BTW), the professor who teaches Math 20A is a great teacher but he is tough.</p>
<p>Thanks Techhexium! I’m kinda leaning toward Math 19B since I ended up having B+ in Calc AB. I know that 19B has like 150 students whereas 20A has 5 students. Would 20A benefit me better because it is a smaller class? Did you take 20A? If so, how were your grades?</p>
<p>It depends on whether you NEED 20A or not. Do you need it for your major? Does it satisfy a requirement for your major?</p>
<p>If not, you should take 19B. I’ve never heard of anyone taking 20A, because if I remember correctly, they just recently brought it back. Think of it this way: if you take 19B, you’ll have a much larger support system if things start to go wrong. More people in the class to ask for help, more sections to attend, more TAs to talk to, etc.</p>
<p>Is Math 20A considered to be Calc BC and the Math 19 series considered to be Calc AB? I haven’t taken Calc BC yet and I don’t think I want to skip that…</p>
<p>I never took calculus in high school, but from what I gather, Math 11A, Math 19A, and Math 20A are all supposed to cover limits, derivatives, etc., which I assume you covered in Calc AB.
THEN, Math 11B, Math 19B, and Math 20B cover integrals and stuff you’d cover in Calc BC.</p>
<p>The numbers (11, 19, 20) have nothing to do with which high school equivalent you took. The letters (A or B) are based on the level of calculus. The numbers are mostly to differentiate between majors. The 11A/B series is mostly for biology majors or people looking to satisfy a GE. The 19A/B series is for the other science (physics, earth sciences, chemistry, biochem…) or math majors. The 20A/B series is probably the same as the 19 series, but honors, so I would assume harder.
SO, I would pick which series you want to take based on your major. Different majors require different series. I can only speak for biology, since I’m in that department. I’m not sure what say, a chemistry major, may need.</p>
<p>If you’re just taking calculus for the fun of it (or to satisfy a GE), I see no reason why you would take 20A.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your input! I’m going to take Math 19B to satisfy a GE for now. But, I might change my major to something science related in the near future so it would benefit it, right?</p>
<p>It depends on the science. I’m pretty sure the biology department doesn’t accept the 20 series, but I don’t know about other departments.
What I do know is that everyone accepts the 19 series.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure the 20 series is only accepted in the physics department, and even then, it’s optional.</p>
<p>I don’t see how 20 would be unacceptable for anything that required 19. It might be that not too many bio majors would consider it. You could try searching for homework/tests/class materials that professors have posted for prior quarters. I think the difference is more theorem proof in 20.</p>
<p>Like I said, I’m only pretty sure. The thing with bio is that they mostly want you to keep to the bio-oriented classes. It’s not required that you do, but they encourage it since that’s where you’ll find the most help and academic support. Which is why they offer the 11 series, statistics for bio majors, etc. I can’t speak for any other departments (including the math department, which I suppose is really what this is about). They didn’t offer the 20 series when I was taking calculus, so I don’t know about the ins and outs of that class and I’m sorry for implying that I do. I’d just suggest knowing whether or not it’s worthwhile to take it so people don’t end up needing to retake other calculus classes in the future because it turns out it doesn’t satisfy certain requirements. </p>
<p>What I really suggest doing if your heart is set on 20A is talk to an ADVISOR who could tell you whether or not it satisfies your major requirements. According to the information given under major requirements on the PBSci websites, only the 11 and 19 series satisfy the major requirements for bio, or chemistry or anything non-physics. BUT TALKING TO AN ADVISOR in your department (or whatever department you’re thinking of getting involved with) could give you the correct or updated information. I’m going off of what is given on the advising websites, so you could take it or leave it.</p>
<p>Just know that starting out with 19B gives you one less class to take in the future, since it’s the last of the series. If you take 20A, you’ll have to take 20B in the winter or whenever they offer it. Assuming you are taking it for a major requirement.</p>