<p>How hard are the math classes at Courant? I've been reading about how Courant happens to have one of the nation's top notch math programs, so I was wondering if it's insanely hard to get As in math classes. Are the math classes in CAS curved, and if so, is the curve as harsh as the one in Stern? I hear that in most top schools, there tends to be a lotta grade inflation so I was wondering if that's the case in NYU CAS =p</p>
<p>yes, after calc 1 the math classes get hard. there are smart sternies who have trouble in classes like linear algebra and calc 2 so they are definitely no joke, but there are still several people who do well in them. i have heard of the classes being curved, but i do not know if that is a rule that holds for all classes.</p>
<p>lol damn. I was thinking of taking Calc III and linear algebra together in my first semester, but now im having second thoughts. How about that statistics and regression analysis class which you've to take freshman year? how hard is that? do you recommend that I take it along with calc III the first semester?</p>
<p>I , along with several other people in my class, have already taken stats in high school so i didnt think it was too bad. of course, this stats course was more difficult, but i would say anyone who is moderately intelligent should do fine in that class with a little bit of effort. stats is probably one of the easier stern classes so dont worry about that class. it should definitely be easier than linear algebra and calc.</p>
<p>I wouldn't take calc 3 and linear algebra together in one semester - especially not your first semester at college. You're not a math major, and it's a lot of homework. You'll be busy first semester just settling in. </p>
<p>As for the classes themselves - I've taken calc 3, linear algebra, and ODE separately at NYU and I did well in them even though I started in junior year (trust me, it'll be easier for you if you don't take that 2 year break from math... I had to relearn derivatives!) </p>
<p>On the other hand, both my calc3 and linear algebra classes were curved insanely (in the good way) because there were a bunch of non-majors in it that had to take it (or retake it) to fulfill requirements and weren't quite up to scratch. I think I might've gotten an A on a midterm because I got over a 60%... Anyway, if you're decent at math and do the homework and don't choke on the exams, you should be fine. Oh yeah, and go to office hours / math tutoring if you're having trouble understanding homework or concepts.</p>
<p>I was on the verge of signing up for calc 3 and linear algebra together for the 1st semester of freshman year, but something inside me said that it's not a good idea. I wanna major in math, if not, atleast get a minor in math, so I'm plannin on doing linear algebra the second semester. for the first semester, however, im plannin on taking microecon and statistics and regression/forecasting together, which someone recommended isn't a good idea. What do you guys think? also, how are the curves in the math classes? Is it easy to pull of an A, or alteast a A- or a B+? (assuming one is decent at math and doesn't slack off)</p>
<p>Why wouldn't it be a good idea? Microecon isn't math-y at all, aside from drawing slopes.</p>
<p>As for your question about curves... see above.</p>
<p>yeah i took stats and micro together and thought it was fine. have no clue why someone would not recommend doing that.</p>
<p>do you guys know anyone in cas that majored in math and was pre med. And is this possible?</p>
<p>i actually do know one person doing that. they seem to have enough time to party on the weekends, but i have no idea how good their gpa is.</p>
<p>Calc III is not a joke. I jumped straight into it and if I had Linear Algebra too it would've been very difficult. I'd spend 4-5 hours per homework assignments minimum, and once I spent 2 straight hours on one problem and still didn't solve it. But the reason it took so long was because I always went for understanding vs just memorizing when to use formulas. Which you will have to do for the higher levels.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about all the profs, but mine gave tests that were entirely designed to make sure you understood the concept (complex, almost riddle-like questions the likes of which weren't in the textbook and required out-of-the-box thinking of why X principle applies, not kidding here). I could check the actual class average for you, but if I had to guess it was around a 50 every quiz and that was with generous partial credit.</p>
<p>The plus side of studying conceptually instead of mechanically was that I barely studied for the quizzes or midterm, and did about 1 hour of writing up a formula sheet for the final. Basically, if you're the type of person who enjoys math and the thrill of breaking down and understanding a new principle, then by all means jump into Calc III or Linear Algebra. If you're the type that got by math in high school through cramming formulas, quit while you're ahead and just breeze through Calc I to fulfill your credits. I would highly advise against taking both Calc III and LA at the same time though, even if they overlap a bit.</p>
<p>I've to register ASAP and i keep vacillating between linear algebra and stats.
the schedule i have in mind for freshman fall is
1)con west
3)Microecon
3)calc III (if i pass the placement test, otherwise i'll take calc II)
4)linear algebra or stats with regression (im confused here, don't know which to take)</p>
<p>for linear algebra i probably might get professor Estaban Tabak. How is he? ratemyprofessor.com doesn't have much on him.</p>
<p>I'd say take stats first, since that's actually a prereq. And, like I've said before, I would NOT recommend taking any calc class + linear algebra in the same semester unless you're a huge masochist.</p>
<p>crap, once i examined my schedule, i realized that the timing for all the available stats classes clash with one of my con west classes...since i just have a limited number of electives, i dont want to just take a random non-math class and waste it, so what do i do now? is there a lotta work in linear algebra? how hard is it to make atleast a B+?</p>
<p>Kinda hard to say, since I don't know your comfort level with math or the professor. I'd change your Conwest class or switch to a World Cultures class over taking linear algebra and calc 3 together...</p>
<p>Also, I'm assuming you're focused on taking math classes because you want a major / minor in it - in that case, I'd say don't worry about taking "other" electives. NYU isn't going to kick you out or stop financial aid if you go over the 128 credit limit as long as you still need classes to graduate with your declared majors / minors.</p>
<p>1)is calcIII, a one semester course?</p>
<p>2)how many con west classes does one take a week?</p>
<p>Yes, all the math classes are as far as I know.</p>
<p>Two lectures + 1 recitation - look on the registrar site.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Also, I'm assuming you're focused on taking math classes because you want a major / minor in it - in that case, I'd say don't worry about taking "other" electives. NYU isn't going to kick you out or stop financial aid if you go over the 128 credit limit as long as you still need classes to graduate with your declared majors / minors.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No they can't, but if you're in Stern they can disallow you from taking courses not required to graduate, so you could possibly end up with a 1 course semester (worst case scenario). Probably could argue your way out of it, but why risk it? There's so many interesting electives to take there's no reason wasting one.</p>
<p>Didn't happen to me... and I was totally over 128. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm not advocating taking some random elective you're not interested in - my impression was that the guy didn't want to take ANY non-math or non-Stern electives, which I think is the greater waste...</p>
<p>Also, a lot of people try to have just 1 class senior spring anyway so they've got time to goof around, so that's not necessarily a terrible consequence. It's not like they make you pay the full tuition for one class (when you're part-time 2nd semester senior year, the costs are prorated).</p>
<p>as of now, I want to major in math but if it messes with my GPA too much then I might just minor in it...I was wondering what the workload in math classes is like...does the work consist of just problem sets, or are there major projects, papers etc like the con west classes? and what about the workload in microecon and stats with regression? mostly problem sets, or projects as well? what about grading curves? hope im not being too annying with all the questions =P</p>