<p>I'm looking to take classes in math over the summer. I definitely want to take Calc 3. I also want to take either differential equations or linear algebra but if I can't then I might take Calc 2 instead (did it a very long time ago in high school and now need it for current classes in college...and it's creating slight trouble). </p>
<p>I'm not sure what I should do; is taking math classes at of this level at community colleges I don't really know much about a good idea or is it better to go for online courses or something else entirely?</p>
<p>I also don't mind doing this without any final transcript, all I want is professor teaching and weekly assignments.
Obviously a final exam that's going to be graded would be great because it would make me more serious, but all I really want to do is go over this material in order to be prepped for classes I'm taking/will be taking. I don't NEED to have to go to class if I can learn the material in an organized setting otherwise. If I can get some thing where I have all the assigned psets, solutions and lectures and there's an organized textbook, I'll be fine. But I don't know if there is any such thing. Suggestions?</p>
<p>PS: Background math information-- I've done Calc 2 in HS, but forgotten most of it. Took Calc 3 in college first year, went pretty badly, so I want to relearn over summer. Going further into linear algebra would be awesome (hoping to do Calc 3 and a bit of linear algebra at the same time). Future classes going to involve a lot of Calc 3, etc.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Unless you find that a local CC has a really good professor and is very inexpensive, don’t bother. Read a book or check out Khan Academy or something. It’s very unlikely that every single thing in any of those classes is going to be something you need or is useful at all, so learning on your own will let you spend more time focusing on what you do need to learn.</p>
<p>No, I don’t need the credits. I’m interested in the classes because I need to know the material for my future classes, and I don’t want to repeat the class I already took in freshman year and waste a ton of money at my private university just because I was careless enough/still getting used to college studies/had a bad professor/etc.</p>
<p>I don’t mind learning more than necessary; I like math/learning in general. :)</p>
<p>Is there an online course that’s good? I just feel that having something more concrete than just learning on my own would give me more momentum. I don’t think I can trust myself to pick up a book a learn every day especially since I’m on holiday… I’ll keep putting it off. It would also be nice to have someone to consult for doubts…</p>
<p>Check the professor’s ratings first, some CCs have pretty awful math teachers for the higher lower division maths. You might also have trouble finding those as summer courses, as not every class is offered over the summer.</p>
<p>Oh, and you’re going to need some Calc 2 in Diff Eq, Linear, and Calc 3, at the very least make sure you remember partial fractions and integration by parts.</p>
<p>If the course isn’t required for your major (or as a prereq for a class you need) I’d say go for it.</p>
<p>I’m in a similar situation to you, I have to take calc 1 and 2 for Penn State but I took pre - calc my Sr yr of H.S (about a year ago). What I would do, as someone pointed it out, check the professors ratings on RMP and see how they are. The only reason why I’m taking calc 1 and 2 this summer together is because the professor who is teaching both classes has a 4.1 easiness rating. They all said very good things about him so I’m looking forward to have him. I also get both my math requirements over with and I am done with math. So its very important to know what you are getting yourself into. The school is a private school so I’m paying more vs. a CC, but I rather pay more and pass than pay a little and fail.</p>