<p>So when I visited Berkeley, I was told multiple times to skip Calculus II because it was incredibly hard compared to Calculus III at Berkeley. (I got a 5 on Calc BC) However, after looking at course rank, Math 1B has a B average, while Math 53 has a B- average, suggesting that Calculus III is actually harder at Berkeley. Additionally, I read on this forum that Math 1B is a "weeder" class; is this a good thing? bad thing? If it is a weeder class, doesn't it just mean that there are many unqualified students who pull down the curve? or does it mean that the students are indeed qualified but the class is immensely difficult?</p>
<p>“weeder” classes generate competition among the students. Since some of the tests are way too difficult, this is the only way to give certain students A’s for their work. Part of it is also because the content is inherently difficult.</p>
<p>Math 1B exams are tricky, but I think they are doable if you’re dedicated and do all the prac exam problems. They take time though.</p>
<p>Math 1b isnt THAT hard, people REALLY over exaggerate it…you just gotta do hella practice.</p>
<p>math 53 with john neu was a piece of cake, if you need a math class and want a good grade that’s the one to take. tests were much easier than 1b.</p>
<p>math 53 is easier fo sho. but the last parts could get pretty tricky. math 1B is just… ARGH. not too hard but really annoying. at least math 53 can be useful. (i’m doing both together this sem btw)</p>
<p>Math 1B is tedious and boring. Lot of time doing integrals that are more or less meaningless and in practice will be approximated anyway. Math 53, on the other hand, is a really enlightening class and gives you a truly enjoyable glimpse into calculus. It is also hugely useful if you’re going to take Physics anytime in the future if only for the practice in terms of thinking in 3D.</p>
<p>If you got a 5 on AP Calculus BC and felt comfortable about the material, you should take 53.</p>
<p>This is because of various prerequisite chains for some majors, and also because 53 provides a clearer view of what was taught in 1A/1B. You can fill in the gaps from there.</p>
<p>i haven’t done 1b-level math in a year.</p>
<p>does 53 build significantly build on top of 1b? will i be okay taking 53?</p>
<p>i have a good grasp of differentiation and integration</p>
<p>yeah you’ll be fine in 53 - we spent a good amount of time reviewing things like polar coordinates/parametric stuff/partial differentiation.</p>
<p>Math 1b is over-hyped difficulty-wise, but I would say that 53 is easier. And yeah, you’ll be fine in 53 even if you haven’t done 1b stuff in awhile, they don’t really emphasize the kind of weird, difficult integrals you see a lot in 1b, so it’s pretty self-contained.</p>
<p>Math 53 is conceptually easy actually. Even if you’re not a 3D thinker at first. But class difficulty really depends on the teacher for math courses no matter what the subject. Some teachers will make the class harder than necessary or fail at teaching. For me, Math 1B was easy because I had a good teacher. Math 53 is easier conceptually now, but since my teacher is horrible, it took a while for me to get used to it.</p>