<p>I am going to take the Calculus BC test in May. If I get a 5 on this should I still take Math 1b at Berkeley to improve my GPA or is it as HARD as everyone says it is that it would ruin my GPA. I am ususally not so crazy about GPAs but i suck at school in general and I need a good GPA to go to grad school.</p>
<p>It depends on how solidly you know the material. I got a 4 (5 AB sub) and I'm getting screwed in math1b right now. Many people do just fine, but it is a definitive weeder course, especially for the science majors.</p>
<p>I have a question...</p>
<p>I'm taking the AP Calculus AB Exam and I think that my score will most likely end up being a 4 or 5 (if I'm lucky). I'm in the FPF program and I have to choose between Math 1A and Math 1B. When I looked over the course descriptions and topics, it seemed to me as though my teacher has covered everything that's described in Math 1A. The topics sounded familiar and all. But is it not recommended for someone like me to take Math 1B in the first semester? I've heard people saying how difficult math is at Berkeley, but it feels odd to me if I take the first part of calculus over again.</p>
<p>I believe the difficulty of 1B also has to do with the professors. When I took it in Fall 2005 I and most of my friends in that class thought it wasn't that bad. However, I know people right now taking 1B and they say it's tough and unfair. And I generally regard these people to be on the same academic level as I am.</p>
<p>Is it True that math beyone 1b is easier? I'm going to be either a math or MCB major and math is one of the major requirements at berkeley. I'm just curious.</p>
<p>If you get a 5 on the calculus BC exam, definitely skip out of Math 1B. I have heard of people who ended up failing that class even though they got a 5 on the calc BC exam.</p>
<p>Unless if you're a math major, and you really want to reinforce your math skills. Math 1B is way different from calc BC, I heard.</p>
<p>Math beyond 1b is not necessarily easier. It's just that 1B has a higher fail rate and harsher curve. The material can be just as tough and challenging in 53 and 54. In fact, I and a few friends are actually doing worse right now in 53 than we did in 1b last semester. ... But this isnt to discourage people from passing out of 1b. If you can pass out, do it. Tons of people start out with 53 their first semester and do just fine.</p>
<p>Definitely skip math 1b if you earn a 5 on the BC test. Trust me :)</p>
<p>so, how hard is 53 exactly? i got a 5 on BC last year, so i've kinda forgotten a bit of calculus... not sure if i'm going to go straight into 53... and also, could anyone tell me what the major difference between honors 53 and 53 is? how much harder is honors than the regular course? thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Here it is in perspective....</p>
<p>I got a 800 on SAT1 Math, 790 on SATII Math 2C, 5 on AP Calc BC, and 5 on AP Stat........</p>
<p>and I got a B in Math 53 in Berkeley.</p>
<p>Avoid math at Berkeley my friend, unless you are truly gifted at it...not just in the basic math that standardized tests test you on but truly gifted. Chances are, you're gonna get a B or worse.</p>
<p>But I guess it's only fair to mention that I got an A- in Math 1B and an A in Math 54 (taken over summer). Stat 20 was a joke. </p>
<p>My advice for Pre-meds trying to fulfill the math req:
If you have to take calculus, take it at a JC and take a lower div. stats course at Berkeley.</p>
<p>If im applying for Haas later on, should i take any of these math courses at berkeley? (i plan on getting 5 on BC and statistics)</p>
<p>You can take the Math 16 series if you plan to apply to Haas.</p>
<p>Which do most engineering majors take as their first math course: Math 1b or Math 53?</p>
<p>"I got a 800 on SAT1 Math, 790 on SATII Math 2C, 5 on AP Calc BC, and 5 on AP Stat........</p>
<p>and I got a B in Math 53 in Berkeley."</p>
<p>Well, the SAT scores doesn't mean anything since the math class is so advanced compared to math 53/54.</p>
<p>and what math class are you referring to that is so advanced compared to math 53/54 or was that just a typo?</p>
<p>i would skip out of math 1b if possible. they make it needlessly hard. I actually recommend taking 54 before 53 if you can, because i think linear algebra is easier than multivar calc.</p>
<p>honors sequence math courses are more proof based than the regular sequence. they're hard. unless you really like math (and by math i mean rigorous math), i would stick with the regular sequence.</p>
<p>ive already taken multivariable calc and linear algebra but since i got a 4 on BC calc exam i guess i still have to take math 1b. what professors are recommended for 1b and which ones should we try not to get?</p>
<p>It was a typo.</p>
<p>Math 53 and 54 are very challenging, but in different ways:</p>
<p>Math 53 is mainly about computation. It is a continuation of calculus, and you have to take what you know about single-variable functions and extend it to functions of several variables.</p>
<p>Math 54 is about writing proofs. Although you are taught how to write them as if you have never had experience with them, you're expected to learn quickly: proofs show up on the first midterm (if not the second quiz in your discussion section). If you've done olympiad-level problems in high school you will find the M54 proofs very easy, but the majority of students here have not.</p>
<p>Regarding the curves, ~25% A's in either class is pretty standard.</p>
<p>If you're pre-med I'd suggest sticking with the 1 series unless you have a passion for math and want to learn more advanced material.</p>
<p>So Student would you recommened me to start over 1A so I get a better grade?</p>