<p>With regard to multivariable calc, keep in mind you won't really use anything except grad until 63, at which point you'll likely be covering them in math 52.</p>
<p>Although as those who take 52H will find out, div, grad, and curl are really all the same thing... :)</p>
<p>Wait, div, grad, and curl are in 52?
What's in 51?
Because I already know those from my multivar class... I really don't want to have to repeat too much calc.</p>
<p>EDIT: I looked at the bulletin, and if math 51 covers some linear algebra, some multivar., do you think there would be a way I could take 51 and skip 52?</p>
<p>Hmm... maybe what I'm actually thinking of is differential equations? I am sure that there was some math you needed for the physics 60 series sequence that wouldn't be covered in AP Calculus typically and hadn't been covered yet in the math 50 series. I guess differential equations would make much more sense with mechanics. </p>
<p>You can definitely take 51 and skip 52. If you are thinking of doing more advanced physics, even if you already had a multivariable calculus class it might be worth taking math 52 as a review (there is a LOT of multivariable calculus, especially integration, involved in physics 120 for example). I took a multivariable calculus class in high school that also covered some differential equations and I took the entire 50 series anyway. Math 52 probably wasn't necessary for my understanding of math, but I'm pretty sure it was necessary for the physics major so I took it anyway. I think it was actually worth my time.</p>
<p>marlgirl I heard 52's a pain. Is that true? I took 51 fall quarter and I'm taking 53 now (one of my favorite classes btw). Do you think 52 is really a lot of work?</p>
<p>OK, I have a question about transferring AP credit and CC classes. So here's the situation. I'm taking the APs listed below. Assuming I get 5s on all of them, the credit I'll receive is next to it.</p>
<p>Calc BC- 10 units
CS AB- 5 units
Chem- 4 units
Phys E&M- 5 units
I've take Mechanics already so there's another 5 units there for a total of 29 units.</p>
<p>To satisfy the French</a> GER, I'm studying for the SAT 2. According to the AP</a> chart, a 5 on the French AP grants you 10 units. Does that mean that a score of above 640 on the French SAT is worth 10 units as well?</p>
<p>I'm also taking some CC classes this summer in MV calculus, that will be worth around 6 quarter units. Should I transfer those credits over or would you recommend starting off with the 51 series? If I transfer the credits, would they be added to the 39 units (29+10) above? Since there is a 45 unit cap for incoming freshmen, is it a waste to take any more CC classes?</p>
<p>Also, what qualifies as sophomore standing?</p>
<p>Regarding the language requirement - you don't get any units for the languages you place out - it just helps you satisfy the GER.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that with the AP exam at least, you get units. The units won't count towards a major or anything like that, but say you only had 174 units at Stanford after completing your major (you need 180 units to graduate), you don't have to take 6 more random units because the AP can cover that. I'm about 90% sure on this.</p>
<p>I recommend that you check this site <a href="http://registrar/students/academics/xfer_credit.htm%5B/url%5D">http://registrar/students/academics/xfer_credit.htm</a> for more info, and contact the Registrar directly for more specific questions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Regarding the language requirement - you don't get any units for the languages you place out - it just helps you satisfy the GER.
[/quote]
Sorry, I meant languages you place out with the placement test here. :)</p>
<p>Math 52 isn't hard, but it's a pain. It's a lot of annoying integrals. They aren't hard, just obnoxious. </p>
<p>I wouldn't officially transfer credit in case you want to transfer credit for classes you would otherwise take at Stanford (say organic chem at some point). Wait until much later to decide if you want to transfer credit. You don't need to transfer credit to place ahead anyway so it doesn't really matter. Take MV calc if it interests you, otherwise don't. Unless you've also had linear algebra, you should take Math 51 anyway. Most of it is linear algebra.</p>
<p>Classes that you take to fulfill your GER can they be used to fulfill requirements for your major?</p>
<p>Yup, you can definitely use classes to fulfill GERs and major requirements. (They can also fulfill both GERs and Education for Citizenship requirements or in theory GERs and language if language fulfills GERs.)</p>
<p>I asked before but, what is sophomore standing? :)</p>
<p>I have no idea. It may not be offered.</p>
<p>If I had to guess, I'd say you have 45 units under your belt (180 to graduate divided by 4 years). However, I'm searching the Stanford website and can't find this info in any official place.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure Stanford doesn't offer sophomore standing. Besides the fact that said standing is utterly useless and you can graduate early with or without it if you really want (but then again, why on earth would you want to have one less year at Stanford...), Stanford typically uses stuff like APs or SAT IIs for placement, and encourages students to continue in those subjects, or take them again at the college level. The "credit" you receive for them doesn't translate directly into classes, per se, just toward pre-reqs for higher level classes, although, yes, some of them do count, like the language requirement.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks guys.</p>
<p>I've got a pesky decision coming up, and maybe some of you (especially those studying math) can help me. Sorry this is so long, but it's best to throw all possible questions out there, in case someone else is wondering about the same things.</p>
<p>I'm just finishing up my multivariable calc class in high school. It's been a weird "classroom" dynamic because it's just the teacher and me sitting in the library working through the textbook together...he's an old school guy, and his idea of learning the material is doing every problem in the book. So we've done a couple of thousand problems (60-100 or so for every section), and have gotten quite proficient in the nuts and bolts of multiple integration, etc etc. The only proofs we've done (I should say "I've done," because he tends to skip them) are the basic, intuitive ones in the books...properties of cross and dot products, div and curl, etc...nothing intense or requiring much mathematical maturity.</p>
<p>Anyway, we're about done, and it's up to me to decide what to do next. I sadly don't have the option of using it as another study hall for the rest of the year, and as long as I have to be doing something, I want it to be useful. I've got a few options:</p>
<p>1) Do some basic differential equation stuff.
2) Do some basic linear algebra stuff.
3) Go over infinite series again (I self-studied BC calc last year, and I'm not overly confident in my abilities with these).
4) Go through a textbook called "A Bridge to Abstract Mathematics," or something like that. Basically, do an intro to proofs class.</p>
<p>Both (1) and (2) would fill up the rest of the year and would make the 50 series next year even easier. Also, (3) wouldn't take very long, and I'd have time to do something else as well. However, I have some questions about them. Just for background, I'm a high school senior intending to major in physics (with either a minor or second major in math). </p>
<p>--Are infinite series stressed in the intro math series? I mean, are you expected to know them? I read that a 5 on the AB exam (which doesn't cover them) lets you start right in Math 51, so would it be a waste of time to go over them? For physics classes, how often are they used, and would it be easy enough to simply brush up on them when they show up?</p>
<p>--I have no experience with proofs, but I'm a logical, mathematical kind of guy. If I went through an intro to proofs book this year, audited a summer class (intro real analysis, or intro to abstract math, if i'm still unsure about proofs) at the university in my town, would it be feasible to take the 50H series next year?</p>
<p>--If I don't take the 50H series, I still want to transition into the upper level math courses at some time. Would it be extremely repetitive to take the 50 series, Math 115, Math 171, and then Math 174, sometime throughout the four years? Would I really miss a lot if I tried to condense my initial exposure to proofs into a few months, rather than going through Math 131 (I've heard it gives an ok intro to proofs) and 115 before hitting the more challenging classes?</p>
<p>--Will the normal 50 series drive me absolutely insane? I hate doing so many repetitive integrals this year, and would love to avoid any unnecessary review. Especially if I spend the rest of this year doing diff eqs or linear algebra, I worry that the class will be boring, and I'll think of it as a waste of time.</p>
<p>--Does the 50H series cover all the same topics as the 50 series (plus a lot extra and with a different approach), or do the two diverge significantly? Practically speaking, will the 50H series teach me the math I need for physics?</p>
<p>Also, if any of you current students have updates on your current classes, fill us in!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for answering whatever you can/have time to/want to. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>The 50 series isn't that hard. You will have to retake it to major in physics (or you can do 50H series which is much more difficult, more proof-intensive, and less useful for a physics student). </p>
<p>I don't think linear algebra or differential equations are that interesting. It might be good to briefly study basic homogeneous second order differential equations (harmonic motion, damped harmonic motion, critically damped harmonic motion), but for freshman physics that's all you need to know of differential equations. Relearning series is good. Series become important when you want to solve partial differential equations. They are good to know for math you'll need for physics later on. If you are comfortable with them your life will be easier later. Proofs are probably a better use of your time than linear algebra or differential equations. </p>
<p>SlySi might have some good suggestions as well.</p>
<p>From the sound of your multivariable experience, you would not be at all bored in 52H. If you decide you want to take the 50H series, the best things you can do to prepare for it would be:
1. Learn very basic linear algebra--like the idea of a vector space, basis, etc., and how systems of equations relate to matrices. The rest will be covered.
2. Study just a bit of ODE. You don't need to know a whole lot coming in to make it in 53H.
3. Do a few epsilons and deltas. You will need to rattle them off like crazy in 52H, and a fair amount in 53H. Just get used to the idea, though--you don't need to know much about them going in.
4. This is the most important part: Learn proofs. You should spend as much time on this as the other three combined. Learn common techniques (induction, contradiction, the idea of a non-constructive existence proof), as well as the basic way of writing a proof.</p>
<p>So then the other, more difficult, question is whether or not 50H is the class for you. Do you really, really love math? Are you considering being a math major and want to see if you can handle the ridiculously theoretical stuff? Are you planning on being an honors math major? Do you just want to learn math in more depth? These are reasons why you might take it, though they're by no means the only ones.</p>
<p>By the way, I can promise you that you will be able to count on one hand the multiple integrals you do in 52H.</p>
<p>Can someone share some light with me about the advising process.Are we assigned an advisor and what is there role in our educational lives. Do we have the same advisor during all four years and when are we assigned?Thanks!</p>