<p>53 is mutlivariable cal, 54 is linear algebra, they let you take it in either order. Any advice?</p>
<p>You might to take Math 53 before Math 54 since 54 covers some material in 3D space although it's not much. I took Math 54 somewhere else and I don't remember it requiring much of 53 material since I took 53 two years before taking 54. Personally, I would get 53 out of the way first before going on to higher math.</p>
<p>You don't need to understand multivariable calculus in order to do linear algebra and differential equations. </p>
<p>However, if you're taking physics, make sure to look at the math courses that your physics sequence requires, as the later courses in the physics sequence may have a concurrent or consecutive multivariable calculus requirement.</p>