I’m going to be a pre-med, biology will be my major, but which math should I take? Algebra, pre-calculus, or calculus?
I don’t have a good foundation with math as I missed high school so often due to extenuating circumstances. I took Regular pre-cal senior year even though I was supposed to be in AP calculus. Again due to circumstances, i stress this.
I’m attending The University of Houston - main campus on a full ride if that matters.
Algebra, I heard is easy and is a pre req so should I take it for the GPA boost?
Pre-calculus, I could take as a refresher and to build a better foundation?
Both are pre-requisites for calculus which I will eventually have to take, which leads me to the final option - should I just go for it and take calculus now?
Will it matter to medical schools if I take algebra or precal?
I’m trying to stay positive as high school was rough and Same as everyone else I would love for college to be a meaningful experience so I don’t want to be unnecessarily stressed but at the same time I know that I will have to work hard.
All types of advice are appreciated. Thanks so much!
University of Houston has math placement tests to tell you what math course is suitable for you.
http://www.casa.uh.edu/casa/MPFAQ.htm
http://online.math.uh.edu/MathPlacement/Decide/
Here are some other schools’ math placement tests that you can try for practice before doing the University of Houston ones “for real”:
http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/placement/index.html
https://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam
How did you do in pre-calculus? Is there a reason you have to repeat these classes in college? There may be a math placement test you can take to gauge your level.
Typically, you take algebra, then pre-calculus, then calculus. Often, students take algebra and pre-calculus in high school and start with calculus in college. Some students take Calculus in high school and repeat it in college, or skip to a higher level math. If you took pre-calculus for the second time your senior year (which I’m assuming, since you said you were supposed to be in AP Calculus), then I would think you would be ready to take calculus in college, assuming you passed pre-calculus. But again, I would say check to see if you can take a math placement test to see where you are. You can take algebra and pre-calculus because it’s better to get a good foundation than to jump into a level you’re not ready for, but make sure it’s the right level for you to start at before you retake courses you’ve already completed in high school.
Medical schools don’t care if you take algebra and/or precalculus, but often, medical schools require calculus as a prerequisite so you have to reach that level, at least.
Make sure to have a backup plan in case you don’t get accepted into med school. Med school is really competitive. Most people who get in probably did well in math. If you can, do a second major, something you’re interested in.
Don’t know how valid this is but my school’s advising center often said to retake the same math course you completed your senior year - even if it was an AP course that you received credit for. So, for instance, students that finished high school enrolled in pre-calculus would then take pre-calculus once more in college.
Your school’s major requirements regardless, most med schools require 1 semester of calculus.
If you got at least a B in Pre-Calc, you should be fine to take Calc 1. No need to reinvent the wheel and take Pre-Calc again. You’re prepared and honestly it isn’t that hard, especially if you get a good professor.