<p>I am an incoming freshman premed majoring in poli sci. To fulfill the 1 year math requirement, I am planning on taking one semester of calc at a community college the summer after my freshman year. I am going to fulfill the second semster math requirement with one semester of statistics that I am going to complete first semester of freshman year. Now I have to decide between Stats 2 and Stats 20. I have heard that Stats 2 is easier, but do you think that med schools will look down on that? Which course do you think I should take? BTW, i am going to be in the Fall Extension because i am a Spring admit and they only offer Stats 2 and its taught by Sugahara. Does anybody know if hes a hard prof? Hes not on ratemyprofessors. If i choose to take Stats 20 i will have to do it in the Spring semester since they dont have it at the Extension.</p>
<p>First, the math requirement is one year of calculus, at least according to Letters and Sciences' Announcement. That means that stats would not cover it.</p>
<p>So I recommend you take the entire year of calculus here at Berkeley, beginning with Math 16A or Math 1A. Math 1 series is more rigorous and allows opportunities to move on toward Math 53 (Multivariable calculus) and Math 54 (differential equations and linear algebra).</p>
<p>The reason I don't recommend doing 1 semester at a California Community College and another semester here is that a Berkeley math course is entirely different than one taken at high school or in CCC. Math 1B (the second half of the 1 series) has a high FAIL rate for incoming freshmen. Don't risk that chance.</p>
<p>And always consult someone if you're still unsure. The best thing to do is to contact the Math Department's Student Affairs Office to discuss it with them. Don't let your scheduling happen here on CC.</p>
<p>If you attend CalSO, you will receive the College Announcement. You can pick one up at Campbell Hall when you arrive in August if you can't make it to CalSO. The Announcement has an outline of what premed courses you should take.</p>
<p>Strykur: You have fallen into the common misconception about premed. Medical schools accept any major on the condition that you fulfill a set of required course (1 year of math with calc, gen chem, ochem, bio, physics, etc). Students are encouraged to take a major that interests them since your chances of earning a better grade greatly improves if you enjoy the subject matter. So, major in what you want for premed, but get those courses done!</p>
<p>Case in point regarding Math1B's high fail rate. I took math1B with Hutchings this semester....and did not pass. Luckily I switched to P/NP.</p>
<p>That also brings up a question for me...does anyone know how med schools will look at a course that they do not require but has a poor grade? For example, some med schools only require 1 semester of calculus, and I did very well in math1A, but how does this NP in 1B affect that? Thanks.</p>
<p>yeah yeah, laugh all you want, math was never my forte.</p>
<p>So yeah, I'm basically screwed out of med schools that require a full year of calc. Or I can retake and hope for a good grade or take 16B instead.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response Eiffelguy...I just called UCLA and UCSD med schools and they said that you can subsitute one semester of the math requirement with Statistics. In fact, UCLA said that they require a semester/quarter of stats. </p>
<p>So, does anybody have any experience with either Stats 2 or Stats 20? Which one should i take? Should i take the easier one, Stats 2, and probably get a good grade with more ease or take the harder, Stats 20, one and maybe struggle a bit for the grade? Thanks</p>
<p>The L&S Annoucement is a informational booklet that L&S students should receive when they attend CalSO (or they can pick up in 113 Campbell later) which details the College's requirements and recommendations. You will find helpful information in planning pre-med courses as well as the college requirements.</p>
<p>I followed up on your question about math and spoke to several L&S advisers. One of them just came back from a conference on pre-med. Yes, UCLA is taking stats as a replacement, BUT you need to check with other medical schools that accept this. If you do the 1 year of calc, you will be complying with most medical schools, whereas the stats substitution may not comply with other med schools. So, just check and follow up (like with UCSF, Stanford, etc.).</p>
<p>Eiffelguy87...Thanks a lot, the advice is very helpful. I'll have to call some of the other med schools in CA and ask them about their math requirement. Again, thanks a lot for the info.</p>
<p>what's the difference between math 16a and math 1a, a post above says math 1a is more rigorous, is math 1a usually for people with intended major of science or something? and sorta off topic but is chem1a really hard as people say it is? I'm not a big chemistry fan
thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>By the way, Eiffelguy, have you happened to take Stats 2 or 20? If yes what were your experiences with the course? Has anybody else taken either of these course? Thanks</p>
<p>Hopeful: Math 16A-16B series is a terminal math sequence. This means that upon completion of the Math 16 series, you will have ended your education in calculus. Math 1A-1B prepares students for further study in calculus. The Math 1 series will allow students to continue towards Math 53 (multivariable calculus) and Math 54 (differential equations and linear algebra). Since Math 1 series prepares students for even higher mathematics, it is thus more rigorous and covers topics more in-depth.</p>
<p>Students taking the Math 1 series usuallys are majors in: the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer sciences, MCB, and students pursuing economics (in preparations for econ 101 series).</p>
<p>Students taking Math 16 series include integrative bio majors, life scienes, architecture, business administration, economics (in preparation for the less rigorous 100 series).</p>
<p>I should note that business majors can take the math 1 series as well in place of math 16 if they want a more rigorous coursework.</p>
<p>ab_med: I have not taken the stats courses here. Check with the med schools to see if they will take an intro stats class (stats 2) or something more difficult (i.e. stats 20)</p>