<p>What do you think which math course is going to be the best match for the freshman, who hasn't taken calculus at high-school? Although I have a pretty good background of precalculus, my school wasn't providing calculus classes. So what would recommend based on your experience?</p>
<p>Results of placement tests aren't yet available, but the first section seemed to be pretty easy, hoping for AT LEAST 25 correct answers out of 30. However, I wasn't familiar with the second and third parts of exam, understanding the idea of only 3 or 4 questions.</p>
<p>Furthermore, what do you think about taking statistics class together with one of these courses? </p>
<p>1a is most appropriate for you. It’s the equivalent of AP Calc AB. 1b is the equivalent of the C part of AP Calc BC, more or less. The first section of the placement exam is designed to test your knowledge of precalculus; the second section tests your knowledge of calculus. (I think the third tests your knowledge of multivar and above? I never took any so I wasn’t entirely certain what I was seeing.) Math 21a is multivariable, so you don’t have the background for it yet. Good luck on your first semester!</p>
<p>If you have not had any calculus before, but are solid in precalculus and do well on the placement test, then you should take Math 1a (Calculus I).</p>
<p>In another thread, you seem to state that you want to skip Math 1a or even 1b… I just don’t understand… you have to understand basic calculus before jumping into more advanced math courses… even if you managed to guess your way through the placement test with a lot of lucky guesses, you still shouldn’t skip Math 1a if you have never had calculus.</p>
<p>If you haven’t taken calculus before, you basically need to take Math 1a. If you’re interested in potentially concentrating in math, it may be a good idea to also check out Math 101: Sets, Groups, and Topology. The courses prerequisite is “an interest in mathematical reasoning” and teaches students how to write mathematical proofs.</p>
<p>So I guess I need to take math 1a, and I think that my adviser will suggest the same thing too. @dbc9todd - In fact, I want to concentrate in economics, planning to take Ec 10 for the fall semester. Would it be a good idea to take stat 104 as well? My concern is that Ec10, math 1a, and stat 104 seem to be too similar, not giving me an opportunity to explore other kinds of subjects such as freshman seminar, etc. </p>
<p>P.S. the fourth course will probably be expository writing.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t really be necessary to take Stat 104 in your freshman fall. The earliest you would be taking a class that required Stat 104 would be your sophomore fall, and even that is unlikely. </p>
<p>How sure are you on concentrating in Econ? It may be advisable to explore other concentrations by taking something like LS 1a or Gov 20. You could also look into Gen Eds, because they are nice to get out of the way. Also, I would suggest looking into taking at least one freshman seminar. I didn’t take a freshman seminar, and kind of regret that now.</p>
<p>In general, a Freshman Seminar is a good way to get to know a professor really well. Additionally, it provides a interesting, light course to round off your schedule (something that’s a lot harder to find later on as an upperclassmen).</p>
<p>Questionable? It depends on to what extent. I mean as an upperclassmen, one can find interesting, as well as challenging courses (e.g. cs 50, etc.), but one will get evaluated according to his/her work done, while freshman seminar is based on p/f. Btw, are there people who couldn’t manage to pass those seminars?</p>
<p>Now what concerns to math again and again. Can you guys tell me what is the difference between math Ma and math 1a? Is the latter one much harder or drawing students, who will make the curve of sharing point much harsher that could possibly happen in math Ma?
Anyway, I guess those courses seem to be the easiest math classes compared to math 21, 55, etc.</p>
<p>Math 1a is an introduction to calculus, and assumes command of precalc material. Math Ma first reviews precalc stuff and then starts calculus. Essentially, Math 1a is equivalent to taking both Math Ma and Mb. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about the differences in grading between Math M and Math 1. Mostly, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to devote just two courses (1a and 1b) or three courses (Ma, Mb, and 1b) to learning calculus. Especially if you think that you are relatively comfortable with precalc, you would probably be better served taking Math 1a and saving more room in your schedule with free electives.</p>
<p>Completely agree with you DwightEisenhower. Sorry for being rude. I’d heard those things about cs 50, which is why I used it as an example to convey my thought.</p>