Math Major - enough High School Prep

College Majors Math/Computer Science Majors
1

<p>My son has interest in pursuing Math as a major in college (likely as part of a double major). He is a strong student overall and intends to apply to strong/challenging schools. He has been very successful through AP Calc AB BC his Junior Yr and is taking Calc 3 (Multivariable) his Sr. year</p>

<p>I know this question may be a bit ridiculous but here goes: At a challenging school, is getting through Multivariable Calc successfully in High School enough prep to be competitive with top math majors? I ask as I get the feeling that many math majors started calc in 1st grade (ha ha) and will have taken math even beyond Multivariable before they graduate High School; along with many other math based pursuits (Math team, etc.)</p>

2

<p>Yes. And you are complete false in your assumption… most math majors come in taking calc 1 or 2.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I had the same background as your son and, had I had the space to add a Math/Applied Math major, I would be a year ahead of many people in the same majors. Most students take AP Calculus their senior year and start with Calculus I in college, but he may be eligible to skip two semesters’ worth of introductory Calculus, give or take.</p>

4

<p>Thank you for the comments.</p>

5

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<p>Most colleges’ math major degree programs are designed so that a student starting in calculus 1 can complete them easily in eight semesters. However, many of the top math majors start in calculus 2 or a more advanced math course, based on the availability of advanced math courses in their high schools or nearby colleges. In a few cases, brilliant-in-math students with dual-enrollment opportunities at a nearby major university may reach junior level math courses like real analysis or abstract algebra while still in high school.</p>

<p>So the summary is, the amount of math taken in high school that you describe is more than enough for an incoming math major, but such a student, if attending a school with a large and good math department, will likely encounter even more advanced students in math. With the described amount of math in high school (though multivariable calculus, assuming it is a dual-enrollment course that gives transferable college credit), the student would enter college taking linear algebra and differential equations, and possibly a proof-techniques and/or discrete math course, then move on to junior/senior level math courses.</p>

6

<p>Most high schools don’t even have the option of taking math to that level. Your son will be completely fine.</p>

7

<p>At a challenging school, high school multivariable calculus may not be sufficient preparation for a prospective math major. Have your son look at these lectures and see if his class covered all of the material:
<a href=“Multivariable Calculus | Mathematics | MIT OpenCourseWare”>http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-02sc-multivariable-calculus-fall-2010/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>(Don’t get me wrong, even reaching single-variable calculus is good enough for a math major, but it’s important to cover the “basics” before moving on to bigger and better things.)</p>

8

<p>He’s not a math major, but he basically completed all the lower-division curriculum in mathematics at my community college before entering as a freshman at MIT. I think he took Real Analysis though and last I heard he was fine. He is a very bright guy.</p>

9

<p>Im sure there are plenty of math majors that took the minimum requirements in school. he will be fine.</p>