<p>Hey, guys I'm stuck in a dilemma. Before I discuss It you guys should know something about me. I'm applying to Cal this fall. I have a 3.9 GPA but have 2 Ws( same quarter) that brought me under 12 quarter units last year(Ouch!). Right now I have about 70 units completed, my major is applied math, I have all but one major prerequisite completed, intro linear algebra. Now is it nesscary to complete this course this quarter? I have an extremely difficult teacher this quarter. I'm failing. Fortunately I can still drop will no grade of record. Should I? This will bring me down to 13 quarter units. Also I will have one missing pre-requisite. I don't know how this will affect my chances. I have to decide by this Friday. HELP!</p>
<p>As long as prereqs are completed prior to transferring (meaning, it's ok to take them after applying.)</p>
<p>but won't a gap in my math sequence look suspectious? (sorry for being insecure).</p>
<p>I will be down to only 13 transferable units. So even if its Ok to finish the class after applying, dropping still might hurt me indirectly via the low amount of classes. I just don't know how much. Could 13 units make me look very lazy?</p>
<p>no. dont be paranoid. they dont care. they just care that you get it done. they'd only care if you're taking like 5 units...and you have no ECs/Work...thats lazy. who told you 13 is lazy? thats normal.</p>
<p>Linear algebra is easy though, and especially intro classes. You're doomed if you can't do a simple linear algebra class, even if you get into Berkeley. If you can't do linear algebra, then you shouldn't be doing a math major.</p>
<p>Well, I want get out of community college as soon as possible, so picking a math major would be my best bet. Plus I might change it after I transfer. The reason why I think linear algebra is so hard because all the math classes I took previously(calculus to differential equations) are computational based. Linear algebra came as a shock because I was suddenly expected to do proofs.</p>
<p>I don't understand. If you drop it, can't you just take it next quarter?</p>
<p>Well, I already did. But anyways, I can take it next quarter, But I will do so with an easier teacher. The problem is, I down to 13 quarter units. Most people applying to Berkeley will probably have more. But I do have 70 transferable units and will have 83 after fall quarter, so I guess I'm on track.</p>
<p>If you are not doing good with that course now, i think it's better to drop it b/c it will definitely lower your GPA and you can take the course again next quarter. As for prereq, even if you didn't complete one they will still accept you unless there are a whole bunch of other applicants that fulfill linear algebra and you didn't, so it all depends, maybe you can try studying harder and see if you can pass the course?</p>
<p>Any chance it is Sawka from Foothill?</p>
<p>Take this quarter to polish up on proof-writing. It is ABSOLUTELY essential as a math major at Cal. Almost all upper division math classes employ proofs.</p>
<p>Any chance it is Sawka from Foothill?</p>
<p>no, its Mosh from Deanza.</p>
<p>ouch^</p>
<p>but hurray for de anza cc'ers</p>
<p>also about the gap...I've been reassured by many counselors that the UC's don't factor how many units you've taken in a particular quarter. </p>
<p>I too was in a similar situation last spring where I dropped almost all my course load down to 9 units because of some issues I was having in my personal life. </p>
<p>But like I mentioned, I was assured that wouldn't work against me...so long as I finish what I need to finish course-wise. </p>
<p>I was told if I really felt I should explain my low unit load that there is a 500 word space in the UC app where you can explain any discrepancies you feel necessary to elaborate on.</p>
<p>lol we are in the same class student14x. Where do you sit?</p>
<p>Personally I think you can still finish a prereq in winter or spring, as you already took lots of prereqs math and got pretty good GPA. UCs don't care about low units of this quarter, and because it's Mosh, you may consider getting a W instead of B, C in the end. You know many students fails and get Cs in his classes, right ^^.</p>
<p>@student: you should at least learn how to do basic proofs prior to your transfer to Cal. Applied math doesn't mean that you need not to take proof-based courses in upper division math. I'm taking Linear Algebra and Abstract Algebra at Cal now, and they're really tough. I don't want to scare you or discourage your enthusiasm but honestly if you can't survive your intro linear algebra, you have no chance surviving upper division math at Cal. Most math/CS major people here would say that Linear Algebra is the most doable upper div. course.
The thing is that if you don't take intro linear algebra, you would have to take math 54, lower division course here, which consists of Differential Equations and Intro Linear Algebra. Think carefully about your plan, and my suggestion is to try to learn how to read and write proofs as soon as possible.</p>
<p>lol we are in the same class student14x. Where do you sit?</p>
<p>I sat( I'm no longer in the class, dropped without record ) in front of meatball. I was one of the three in the honors class. </p>
<p>I know many people fail his class, and that there wouldn't be any shame in not doing well. But according to what I've heard, he teaches around the level of berkeley/ucla, so I'm kinda worried that I won't be able to handle upper divsion course work if I get into Cal.</p>
<p>Btw, how did eveyone do on the quiz?</p>
<p>Hey passionate, do you think it would be a good idea to just forgo the linear algebra at my CC and just take math 54 it after I transfer? I'm asking because I had an easy teacher for diff. eq, so as a result, I've completely forgot everything. I need a strong foundation for upper div math and I don't think I can receive it at a CC. Plus, do you think it would hurt my application if I do not state an intention to take linear algebra? </p>
<p>I guess my problem is that I'm not good at solving hard problems that I've never seen before. Also could it just be the teacher? Because all the math teachers that I took before gave just regular homework problems on exams. The math teacher that I took for linear algebra gives the hardest proofs/problems from the back of the section and then change it around a little and puts it on the quizs/exams. For example, other teachers would ask, given A and B compute det(AB). But my teacher would ask prove det(AB)=det(A)det(B), formally and informally. Is this typical of an intro linear algebra class at your CC?</p>
<p>Also, does the transition( I forgot what it was called, math 74?) to upper div math really help for upper div proofs?</p>
<p>Yes, it would help you a lot if you take math 54 here. The problem is that I don't know if it would hurt your application. You don't really have to worry about forgetting diff. equations because the four upper div. required core courses: linear algebra, abstract algebra, real analysis, and numerical analysis ( well diff equations are covered in some parts of numerical analysis I believe) do not really employ diff. equations. If you want to go further in applied math, then it would be good to know diff. equations.
It's time for you to acquire reading and writing proofs skills now 'cause you definitely need it. My intro linear algebra teachers did give proof problems on exams but only two on each exam, and the rest were basically computations. That proof isn't too hard for intro, isn't it? It is not a typical problem in my intro class, but it's the kind of problem that makes you stand out from the rest of the class if you can solve it. As I said, on our exams we only had at most 2 proof problems. I don't know what's your teacher's preference of informal and formal, but I think I had that same problem on my homework in intro linear algebra. You would probably get to prove this Binet formula again in upper linear algebra.
I would say math 74 is a must for transfer students from community college 'cause you get to learn the basic proof techniques in that class.</p>
<p>@passionate, what should I do to improve my proof skills? I was thinking about studying the intro linear algebra on my own free time, but there might be a better way. Are there any books that is specifically geared towards proofs? </p>
<p>You mentioned before that most people in your math classes were totally lost. I'm curious, are they super smart math whizzes that can easily ace any math class at a JC without trying? If that is the case, then I'm screwed. </p>
<p>Hey, how much harder do you study for a math class at Cal, compared to a class at a JC? </p>
<p>Are the exams at Cal comprised of mostly regular homework problem with the occasional brainbuster? or are they loaded completely with trick questions and brainbusters?</p>
<p>"Are the exams at Cal comprised of mostly regular homework problem with the occasional brainbuster? or are they loaded completely with trick questions and brainbusters?"</p>
<p>This depends on the professor. Most professors will give at least 1 problem that can be solved if you know some general sort of formula and are able to tweak it to your advantage. However, from what my friends and I have encountered in Math 1B (a lower division class), the majority of the questions will be things you have never seen before. You will need to understand the concept and apply them in different situations rather than know the cookie cutter problems in the book.</p>
<p>Of course, I have limited experiences with the Math department as I've only taken 2 lower division courses. But from what my math GSI told me (she was an undergraduate), it's difficult, but doable if you put in the time.</p>