<p>Hi,
I'm an entering freshman at Berkeley on a math/computer science/economics track. I signed up for the earliest CalSO and am 100% sure that I will take Math 53 in the fall.</p>
<p>The unfortunate thing is that Auroux's class is already half full, whereas Givental's 8am class only has 8 people signed up. </p>
<p>Can anybody give me any insight (or quell my fears) to the registration process? Is it still likely that I can get in to Auroux's class? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>First off, DO NOT TAKE A CLASS WITH GIVENTAL.</p>
<p>I have not heard a single good thing said about this guy. My roommate had Math 53 with him and it was a complete nightmare: his lectures are incomprehensible and his exams were way too difficult for the course. On top of that, he refuses to curve his classes if he deemed his students unworthy (check his grade distribution on ScheduleBuilder and you’ll see what I mean).</p>
<p>I think you’ll be able to get into Auroux’s class though (usually people in the first CALSOs get their math class). If his class does end up being full, consider taking 54 instead. Grunbaum and Teleman are teaching 54 next semester. The former is a fairly mediocre lecturer and Teleman is apparently pretty bad (though Ive heard worse things about Givental).</p>
<p>Here is what I did to try to get into physics 7A last year (also a fairly full class): When a student drops a class the waitlist is not updated right away (what it does is it bumps the next person up periodically). So I tried adding the class a few times a day until I finally got in. It is, tbh, quite tedious, but if I were you I think it’s worth it for Auroux.</p>
<p>Correct me if Telebear’s waitlist process has been changed, the last time I did this was a year ago.</p>
<p>Also, you can stay on the waitlist until the drop deadline. Chances are, Auroux will have had a midterm by the 5th week, so all the folks who failed the midterm will drop the class, and there is your chance of getting in. Edit: do all the work for the class when you are on the waitlist, including taking the midterm.</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Funny how we came here for a world class education, but the professors can’t even lecture properly</p>
<p>
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement for all the reasons given by StudyingAnalysis. It is all true. It will not be apparent from the first day of lecture, but Givental is thoroughly TERRIBLE as an instructor.</p>
<p>Another option is Math H54. It has a capacity of 30, but you still get both a faculty member and a TA. Math H53 and H54 usually do not fill up.</p>
<p>I think I have to Phase II math 53… 
Because my other classes are even worse with filling up quickly. Do you think I have any chance at all? (Are the Phase II for freshmen after everyone elses also?)</p>
<p>^You can check your Phase II appointment on BearFacts.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Is Math H54 hard, per se? </p>
<p>I took a summer math course, one quarter of multivariable calculus, at another UC and got an A-. I have peripheral knowledge of the subject although admittedly I forgot a lot. EDIT:disregard this:If worse comes to worst, I’ll do Givental since I have peripheral knowledge of the subject.</p>
<p>
I’m a bit confused by this. You can add the class even if you’re on the waitlist?</p>
<p>My Phase II is on July 17th according to bearfacts… 
Is it too late to have a shot at getting in?</p>
<p>Can you still add classes after your 24-hour window is open…?</p>
<p>Sorry for asking my questions in your thread, OP, but it’s a really similar topic</p>
<p>Jubilee, do not underestimate the madness of Givental. He has nothing but contempt for his students. This is a professor who failed more than a quarter of his class when he taught math 104. The average grade was a C-. Take a minute to let that fact sink in. The majority of the people in his class were math majors, people who believe they are good enough at math to major in it. They averaged a C-.</p>
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</p>
<p>Does this course complete coverage of Math 53 at Berkeley, or not? If so, you may not need Math 53 at all if the course transfers as completion of Math 53.</p>
<p>Check to see whether the course you took covered all of this:
[Math</a> 53 | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley](<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math53]Math”>http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/lowerdivcourses/math53)</p>
<p>I don’t think I can transfer those credits. I’ve learned everything except a few big topics in the last chapter.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help everybody! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I just wanna crowdsource the likelihood of me getting my first-choice math class since I signed up for the earliest CalSO.</p>