<p>How tough are the following math classes at Penn:</p>
<p>Math 103
Math 104
Math 115
Econ 103</p>
<p>If accepted to Penn, I plan to enroll in these classes. So I just want to know what to expect from these classes. Thanks!!!</p>
<p>Math 103 - Pretty much AP Calculus AB. Not hard.</p>
<p>Math 104 - Tough Curve because so many people take it, and tough tests to boot. Most people's hardest class their first semester.</p>
<p>Math 115 - Easier than Math 114, a lot of motivated Pre-Med students take this class. Probably hard, but not impossible.</p>
<p>Econ 103 - This is stat for economists right? I hear it's challenging.</p>
<p>If I manage to get a 5 on AP Calculus BC, should I take any other math classes at Penn/Wharton? How useful is multivar when seeking internship positions in ibanking or consulting?</p>
<p>My son thought 103 and 104 were both hard. The average test grades for the class were in the 60s and 70s (for the whole class-not just for him). He thought the 104 teacher was unusually terrible. He had classmates who had taken AB and even BC calc and still struggled with 103 and 104. If you keep up and maybe get some tutoring help, you can still get a decent grade (A or B+) even with 70s on the tests.</p>
<p>chocoman, what makes Math 114 harder than Math 115? If I skip 104 with AP credits, will I still be able to do well in 114?</p>
<p>Any other comments from those who have enrolled in these classes in the past?</p>
<p>104 and 114 aren't too hard if you don't procrastinate too much. There are plenty of TA's available to help you understand something, and professors like Mark Ward are really great for courses like 104.</p>
<p>since when was an (A or B+) a decent grade? lol</p>
<p>They are good grades for college...
Should I go back and retake CalcII in Math 104 (took BC last year) or should I go to CalcIII in Math 114 (taking CalcIII this year in high school).</p>
<p>It really doesn't matter, as the curves more than the material are what make the classes hard (I actually found 104 harder than 114). That said, because you intend to go premed, I would recommend starting in 104 because a few med schools still want you to have a year of calc, even if it's not a requirement per se. You should take at least a semester of stat on top of the year of calc, but I would not substitute one of the calc classes for it.</p>
<p>How hard are 240 and 241? Are they tougher because mostly math majors, physics majors, and engineers take them?</p>
<p>Avoid 115 - take 114 instead and you will actually learn some useful stuff.</p>
<p>114 might not directly help you in IBanking and consulting, but it will provide good understanding for the basis of Econ 220, 221 and 222 - the advanced econometrics classes that really will help you. Those three classes will give you a deep statistical understanding of forecasting.</p>
<p>I'm getting a dual degree with Math and Wharton. Taking the calculus classes beyond 104 is a BIG help with a lot of Wharton things. You'll never have to take a contour integral or calculate a fourier series for stuff you do in Wharton, but just having seen it will make you more comfortable with a lot of the (much simpler) math you do in Wharton. That said, I would HIGHLY recommend taking at least 114. While you don't have to do anything formally with multivariable calc in Wharton, professors often throw around partial derivatives and knowing explicitly what's going on will put you light years ahead of most kids in Wharton, and let's be honest, that's what really matters in Wharton, isn't it?</p>
<p>I didn't take 104, but from what I hear a lot of it depends on who the professor is. The dean of the college, Dennis Deturck, is teaching it Fall 07, and he is, without question, the best professor I've had at Penn. 114, 240, 241 are not really that hard, and as long as you do enough practice problems you'll be fine. I had 114 with Deturck, which was excellent, 240 is a little dull, and the PDEs in 241 are pretty painful in that it just takes such a long time to solve them. However, the complex analysis portion of 241 is probably the most interesting math I've done so far. My main gripe with the calculus series (103-241) is that the classes are pretty much built for the engineers, so they are taught in a very pragmatic way, focused on applications. i.e. 'Here’s a theorem, here’s a sketch of the proof, and now let's concentrate on how you use this to solve a problem'. Nothing wrong with that if that's what you like, but I would have preferred a more conceptual focus.</p>
<p>The really hard math classes are the upper level analysis, algebra, and topology classes. Pretty much everyone I've talked to in the math major considers Math 360-361 (analysis) and 370-371 (algebra) to be among the hardest classes at Penn. I'm in 360 now, and the sheer volume of work (I turn in about 20-25 pages of proofs every week), coupled with the abstract nature of the material make everything I've taken in Wharton feel like a breeze.</p>
<p>Now those are intense math classes you're taking Tportem. If accepted to Penn, I plan to major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. For the Economics part, I want to establish a basic foundation for a top MBA program in the near future. I want to go into Investment banking(Corporate Finance/M&A) or Strategy Consulting as an Analyst before obtaining a MBA degree(provided I do well).</p>
<p>So is it to my benefit to take Math 114 instead of Math 115? I am interested in taking at least one class in Econometics rather than Game Theory. I am not sure if I'll be allowed to enroll in those classes since I won't be applying to Wharton as an undergrad.</p>
<p>How does Math 115 differ from Math 114 for those who will not take a lot of advance Economics classes? I would'nt mind taking the class as long as the teacher so very good and not make the subject matter difficult and confusing, which always set a negative tone to a students' experience.</p>
<p>i hear the OPIM classes are really hard and dull. Can any current Wharton students comment on this?</p>
<p>I know that physics isn't math, but it's close enough, so can someone give me the breakdown between Physics 101, 150, and 170. I hear 170 is intense, but what's the big difference between the 101/102 sequence and 150/151 sequence?</p>
<p>Most econometrics courses are in the econ department. As for game theory, those courses are found in a lot of departments. Besides, any student can take classes in Wharton - the Wharton statistics and game theory classes are a lot of times easier than the ones offered in the economics department.</p>
<p>But redlinekid2, what do you mean with "I am interested in taking at least one class in Econometics rather than Game Theory" - are you sure you don't mean "and" instead of "rather"? Econometrics and Game Theory are not mutually exclusive.</p>
<p>Also, take 114. 115 is a waste of time according to many people I know who have taken it, including myself.</p>
<p>I ment to say that I would like to enroll in Statistics(instead of Econometics) and Game Theory. Sorry for the mistake. If things go my way, I'll certainly take a few classes at Wharton to suppliment my PPE major.</p>
<p>I'll certainly enroll in Math 114, as long as I can get a very good teacher for this subject. Lord knows that a bad professor can make the class a living nightmare.</p>
<p>Well, no econometrics without statistics. Besides, econometrics is nothing but advanced statistics anyway.</p>
<p>If it comes down to an either/or choice, I'd go with econometrics over game theory any day. It is more interesting as well as more useful.</p>
<p>Hi Snipanlol,
I must be quite tired mentally today. I was looking at the statement that I've posted previously. Here is my corrected statement:</p>
<p>After I've finished Math 103, 104, and 114, I'll concentrate on the yearlong Statistics classes at Wharton, and then Econometrics. I don't know why I added Game Theory in the first place. I do desire to take the classes that would be useful down the road. But, I'll have to wait and see if I'll even get accepted into Penn first before I enroll in these classes anyway.</p>