Official UCSD Mathematics Advising Thread

<p>Thank you, MathAdvising! Your advice is much appreciated.</p>

<p>Hey there, I was wondering how difficult Math 109 is. I heard it is the “foundation” of the upper division class. What topics is gone over? IS deductive reasoning part of the lessons in Math 109?</p>

<p>Oh and do you by any chance know who will be teaching MWF 10-10:50am class?</p>

<p>@Vintagesoul</p>

<p>Math 109 is a transition course from the primarily computational lower division calculus sequence to the abstract upper division courses that require clear mathematical thinking and, in particular, require the ability to read and write proofs. Thus, the primary goal of this course is for the students to learn (1) the logical structure of proofs and (2) how to write their own proofs, and the main purpose of the mathematical topics introduced in the course is to provide students with an appropriate mathematical environment in which to write proofs.</p>

<p>The exact nature of the course depends on the instructor, but topics discussed may include:</p>

<p>Language of Mathematics
Implications and Truth Tables
Proofs, Proof by Contradiction, Induction
Set Theory
Quantifiers
Formal Definition of a Function
Injections, Surjections, Bijections
Euclidean Algorithm, Linear Diophantine Equations
Congruence of Integers
Partitions and Equivalence Relations
Counting (Finite and Infinite Sets)</p>

<p>Most students don’t find it difficult so much as different. It’s a definite departure from all the courses that come before it (the 20-series). And it can entail a lot of work - reviewing and working on proofs.</p>

<p>The 10:00 class will be taught by Professor Ben Chow.</p>

<p>Hurrah! My D got into Math 20D! She also got all of the classes she wanted! She’s thrilled. Thanks again, MathAdvising!</p>

<p>hi, i’m currently wait listed #9 for one of the discussions. what would you say about my chances of getting the class. if i don’t get the class, what do you suggest i do?</p>

<p>@mishxcindy</p>

<p>The answer depends somewhat on the class (and especially the other lectures of that class) - if you’re 9th on the waitlist but there are open sections elsewhere (like what’s happening in 20A and 20C) then chances are low. We don’t start looking for larger rooms and adding sections if we have ample space elsewhere.</p>

<p>If you’re 9th on the waitlist, but there’s no openings anywhere at all (like what’s happening in 3C) then chances are actually high. We are actively looking to get larger rooms and add sections to accommodate those students.</p>

<p>The Math Department policy is that we will take every step needed to make sure students can get the CLASS they NEED - but not necessarily the TIME they WANT.</p>

<p>This may mean you will end up in a really non-optimal time (8am lecture, or 4pm lecture, or 8pm discussion) but it allows us to make the best use of the limited resources we have available (faculty, TAs, rooms)…simply put, John Eggers and Laura Stevens and Dragos Oprea can’t teach every class - and we can’t offer everything between 10am and 2pm.</p>

<p>If you want more details on your specific information - email the details to <a href=“mailto:mathadvising@math.ucsd.edu”>mathadvising@math.ucsd.edu</a></p>

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am enrolled for Math 10C. The “Textbook Listings” says that the book Multivariable Calculus, 5 Edition is required. Would it be acceptable/prudent to buy the 4th edition for a cheaper price? Would the material be drastically different, or would one be able to manage with the earlier edition?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>@Parallelreality</p>

<p>In most cases with new editions, the material would not be drastically different, though some sections may be renumbered as there are usually slight changes in the ordering of topics. The main change, however, would be with the homework. There would be different problems between the two editions - so if you got the 4th edition book, you’d have to find a 5th edition to do the homework (either from a friend, dorm-mate, or from the library reserves).</p>

<p>Hi MathAdvising
If a student wants to pursue MS in financial Math or Operations Research. What undergradute math program he can choose at UCSD? Math, Applied Math, Mathematics/Economics or Mathematics Probability/Statistics</p>

<p>Hi I’m enrolled in math 20b and under the professor it says “staff” do you know who will be teaching the class?</p>

<p>How soon do you think more seats will be added to Math 3C?</p>

<p>@SHSurprise</p>

<p>Of the major programs we offer, probably Applied Math would be most suited for your goals in Financial Math/Operations Research. It allows you to focus on those areas that will be needed (Probability, Statistics, Numerical Analysis, Real Analysis, Differential Equations) without requiring too much from outside your interests. It also allows for non-Math department coursework, and you’d want to take some Economics to supplement your major (courses in the Econ 170s, Game Theory, Mathematical Economics).</p>

<p>The Pure Math major would be a reasonable alternative, though the Algebra requirement isn’t really that applicable.</p>

<p>The Joint Math/Econ probably has more focus on core Econ theory courses than what you would need (though it’s great prep for an Econ PhD).</p>

<p>The Probability/Statistics major would work - though it has less flexibility than the Applied Math (fewer elective options).</p>

<p>You’d definitely want to meet with a major adviser - to plan out the courses that would be most beneficial to your future goals while making progress towards your degree.</p>

<p>@alexsoto853</p>

<p>The instructor for Math 20B A00 lecture will be Andy Parrish - an advanced PhD student.</p>

<p>You can see all the planned instructors on the math department website:
[Planned</a> Course Offerings for 2011-2012](<a href=“http://math.ucsd.edu/resources/course_offerings/index.php?academic_year=2011-2012]Planned”>http://math.ucsd.edu/resources/course_offerings/index.php?academic_year=2011-2012)</p>

<p>@gogoboots23</p>

<p>We’ll be adding seats to both 3C lectures next week (effectively doubling the current size). Waitlisted students will be notified about added sections on Tuesday (Sept 6) - they’ll be visible on the schedule on Wednesday (Sept 7).</p>

<p>Hi! What can you tell me about Slawinski for 10c?</p>

<p>One more thing: I just transferred from a JC in the Bay Area I took business calc 1+2 up there and when I transferred to here I found out that I needed to take business Calc 3. Currently I am taking Math 10c here but I can not for the love of god, grasp the concept for 10c. I flew through Business calc 1 + 2 in my JC and Business Calc 2 I took in spring. My professor over there thought very differently then what my 10c professor is doing right now. Should I re-take 10B here and then take 10C next quarter so I can familiarize myself with it?</p>

<p>@iconmotocbr</p>

<p>I’m not MathAdvising, nor do I have a record of taking many math classes at UCSD, but I have taken both Math 20B and 20C. From those two courses, I felt that I did not need a strong background of Calculus, other than knowing the basics of integrals and derivatives. I don’t think 10B will help you very much with 10C, since 10C has a lot to do with 3d graphs and vectors, while B was teaching the basics of integrals.</p>

<p>I recommend sticking with 10C and going to the Math Lab, which is held in the basement of AP&M, on I don’t know what day. You should ultimately weigh the advice of others more heavily than mine, since my knowledge of the Calculus program does not align perfectly with your situation.</p>

<p>Most of our lower division math professors here are also new and, in my opinion, can’t teach. It would be difficult for anyone to give you their opinions of most professors since they come and go. I looked up your professor and saw that he did teach 10C earlier with a 78% instructor approval rating, but that’s all I can say about this.</p>

<p>Oh okay! Thank you! How did you look him up? I can’t seem to find him on CAPE and Rate my professor</p>

<p>[Cape</a> Statistics](<a href=“http://www.cape.ucsd.edu/scripts/statistics.asp?search=N&CourseNumber=MATH+10C]Cape”>http://www.cape.ucsd.edu/scripts/statistics.asp?search=N&CourseNumber=MATH+10C)</p>

<p>Again, I’d like to remind you that you shouldn’t take only my advice.</p>

<p>@iconmotocbr</p>

<p>Professor Slawinski is a recent PhD from UCSD - he has taught the class before (as Radishrp indicated in their reply) and has been a TA for many years prior. He is experienced in both the content of the 10C course and the sequence as a whole.</p>

<p>The 10C course is a departure from most of the ‘business calculus’ courses that are offered at community colleges - so it isn’t necessarily surprising that you are experiencing a bit of a learning curve. Like Radishrp posted, I wouldn’t recommend dropping the 10C course and repeating 10B. Rather you should make use of the assistance that is available to all calculus students (the first three are totally free):

  1. Professor / TA office hours - if you have questions, this should be your first stop
  2. The Calculus Lab : go to [Calculus</a> Tutoring](<a href=“http://www.math.ucsd.edu/announcements/room_scheduling/?room=B402A]Calculus”>http://www.math.ucsd.edu/announcements/room_scheduling/?room=B402A) for a schedule, this is drop-in tutoring in APM B402A
  3. OASIS - additional tutoring services : go to [OASIS</a> UCSD](<a href=“http://oasis.ucsd.edu/]OASIS”>http://oasis.ucsd.edu/) for information on their math programs - space is limited for some of their tutorials
  4. Private tutoring - if all else fails, you can contact <a href=“mailto:mathadvising@math.ucsd.edu”>mathadvising@math.ucsd.edu</a> for a list of private tutors. This can get pricey, but is an option for some.</p>