Math...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
21

<p>If you can get into 103, I would recommend taking it, but only if you can get Margaret Hodel (Richard Hodel is also supposed to be good, but I didn't take him). The class is very difficult, but she explains concepts clearly and her students tend to do especially well on the final, which is very important for the course grade. She also really wants her students to succeed and is helpful in answering homework questions and conducting review sessions. I think I would have failed with any other professor since the textbook is useless and confusing. </p>

<p>If you can only get into 41, I would take it with Margaret Hodel in the fall. Lewis Blake is supposed to be the best for Math 32, although I went straight to 103.</p>

22

<p>I guess there's a number of courses I could go into.</p>

<p>This is from the Pratt website:</p>

<p>
[quote]
MATH 107: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. Systems of linear equations, matrix operations, vector spaces, linear transformations, orthogonality, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, linear differential equations and systems with constant coefficients and applications, computer simulations. (Not open to students who have had MATH 104 or 111.)</p>

<p>MATH 108: Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations. First and second order ordinary differential equations with applications, Laplace transforms, series solutions and qualitative behavior, Fourier series, partial differential equations, boundary value problems, Sturm-Liouville theory. (Not open to students who have had MATH 111 or 131.) </p>

<p>or the two courses</p>

<p>MATH 104: Linear Algebra and Applications. Systems of linear equations and elementary row operations, Euclidean n-space and subspaces, linear transformations and matrix representations, Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization process, determinants, eigenvectors and eigenvalues; applications.</p>

<p>MATH 131: Elementary Differential Equations. Solution of differential equations of elementary types; formulation and integration of equations arising in applications. (Not open to students who have had MATH 111.) ]</p>

<p>or the two courses</p>

<p>MATH 111: Applied Mathematical Analysis I. First and second order differential equations with applications; matrices, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors; linear systems of differential equations; Fourier series and applications to partial differential equations. (Not open to students who have had MATH 131.)</p>

<p>MATH 114: Applied Mathematical Analysis II. Boundary value problems, complex variables, Cauchy's theorem, residues, Fourier transform, applications to partial differential equations. (Not open to students who have had MATH 133, 181, or 211.)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Which course sequence should I start with?</p>

23

<p>Well, are you an engineer? If so, take the 107-108 sequence. 104 will include a lot of theory that you don't need to know (although 107 sometimes does too - depends on the prof).</p>

24

<p>I'm starting out as EE w/ econ minor and MMS certificate.</p>

25

<p>"starting out"....oh, the plaintive, pre-college cry of the future econ major ;)</p>

26

<p>Am I destined for Econ? I'm sure I'll probably change my major (at least in my head) a couple times before the end of freshmen year. I look forward to meeting you; you seem like a pretty cool prof.</p>

27

<p>I just had Math 103 this semester, and I hadn't had calculus since my junior year of high school. Most of it came back pretty well though I did have to do probably a bit more than everyone else to remind myself of all the formulas I used to have memorized. In general, it's a tough class, but if you have a foundation in calculus and did well on the AP, you should probably go to 103.</p>

<p>Also, all of the stuff about the greatness of Prof. Margaret Hodel is absolutely true. She is an unbelievable teacher and really will do everything she can to help you understand. She is also incredibly fair in terms of tests (she maintains an average right around 75 opposed to some teachers who make tests so hard that the average is in the 40s). If you can take it with her, do it. Her husband, Richard Hodel is also outstanding from what I understand so you should do well with either. In general though, if you can't into their classes, you should still do fine with the other teachers.</p>

28

<p>Everyone keeps talking about AP and I've got IB. I'm in the IB SL, so one year of calculus. I've gotten A's and will probably get around a 5 on the exam (didn't study, bad teacher). I'm pretty good at math, but I'm not sure if I should take 32 or 41 or 31. I want to start out pretty easy in math and not kill myself first semester. I just didn't have a good teacher this year, so the confidence is a bit shaken. For reference, I'm a future Econ major. Does anyone know how far I have to go in math?</p>

29

<p>gcards... im also in IB Math SL... I'm not a math person and it has probably been my worst class so I think im going to take 31... but my classmate who is also attending Duke and who is better at math asked the math coordinator and he suggested for her to take 41... so I think either would be fine and that 32 might be a little rough, but if you were ready to work hard you could pull it off... I wouldnt suggest it though.</p>

30

<p>41 is rough. If you have doubts about your math ability, you'll be better off in 31.</p>

31

<p>haha yup... that is why I am going to do 31... but some of you crazy go getters might want to overachieve... I feel daring enough to not be in 25</p>

32

<p>Is 31 an accellerated repeat of first year calculus?</p>

33

<p>31 is calc 1</p>

34

<p>is math required?</p>

35

<p>how MUCH math is required?</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure some is required...</p>

36

<p>Math is not actually required to graduate...it's required for certain majors (I'm not sure which ones) and for pre-med. The school has a "Quantitative Studies" requirement of 2 classes that CAN be fulfilled with math...but they can also be satisfied with easy intro Comp Sci, Stats, a Psych methodology class (just by being a Psych major, you fulfill the QS requirement), etc. There are many ways to fill that req without taking Math, so if you don't have to don't worry about it.</p>

37

<p>I, too, took Multivariable in high school (last semester). If I am doing Biomedical Engineering, should I take 103 again, or go right into 107? Would it be better to take 103 for review?</p>

38

<p>Don't retake 103. Seriously, if you can skip the intro math classes, do it. I went straight into 104 (not an engineer) and was fine, despite its being a theory-heavy class. Same goes for friends I know in 107, although you might luck out and not have to do proofs. :p</p>

39

<p>bananainpyjamas-- my multi teacher in high school said that college MVC goes much deeper in depth in the material taught, and suggests I take Calc III (equivalent of 103). Should I listen to his advice? </p>

<p>And how would I place into 104? is there a placement test i need to take at duke.</p>

40

<p>For 103: if you are really comfy with conversions among different coordinate systems, setting up multiple integrals in said coordinate systems, and doing Lagrange , then you can probably skip to 107.</p>