Precalculus freshman year

<p>I'll be starting out as a freshman at Tenn Tech for mechanical engineering in the fall. I've taken chemistry honors and AP chemistry, physics honors and AP physics B, and math up to Precalculus with trig, which I passed with a 103. I also studied it last summer before taking the class and plan on studying calculus this summer. My ACT math score wasn't high enough, so I can't start out in Calculus, so I was wondering what math I should take second semester if I'm taking Precalculus II first semester? Does anyone also have any useful resources for learning calculus?</p>

<p>After PreCalc II you should be able to take Calculus 1 (Math 1910). The prerequisite is a C or better in Math 1710 and 1720 (precalc I and II).</p>

<p>Thanks. What should I substitute for Calculus based physics I and the lab if I need Calculus II to take it? Should I take Calculus II over the next summer?</p>

<p>Have you tried this math placement test?
[Placement</a> Test](<a href=“http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/placement/]Placement”>http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/placement/)</p>

<p>Starting in precalculus will put you a semester behind for an engineering major with long prerequisite sequences (as you noticed, calculus is a prerequisite for physics, which is a prerequisite for other things in engineering majors). If the math placement test indicates that you need to review algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, would you be able to take a summer precalculus course at a local community college, or self-study/review the needed material (and retry the placement test to check your knowledge)?</p>

<p>If you score at level 4 or 5 on the placement test, you can arrange with the math department to take a similar “official” math placement exam in order to take Math 1910 (calculus 1).</p>

<p>Here is precalculus review page from your school:
[Precalculus</a> Review](<a href=“http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/calc1/precalc/]Precalculus”>http://math.tntech.edu/e-math/calc1/precalc/)</p>

<p>Review the ME Curriculum</p>

<p>[Program:</a> Mechanical Engineering, B.S.M.E. - Tennessee Technological University - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“Program: Mechanical Engineering, B.S.M.E. - Tennessee Technological University - Acalog ACMS™”>Program: Mechanical Engineering, B.S.M.E. - Tennessee Technological University - Acalog ACMS™)</p>

<p>Taking Calc 2 (Math 1920) over the summer would help you catch up and it would make scheduling your sophomore year a lot easier. Never underestimate the difficulty of scheduling a class…when you really, really need to take it. :)</p>

<p>Thanks. So, I simply show the results to my advisor?</p>

<p>So, the entire summer I will be reviewing precalculus and learning calculus, but I’m wondering if taking precalculus II and Calculus I would be better so that I have complete understanding of precal and trig, then taking a math class or two over the summer(such as Matrix algebra and/or Calculus II). Suggestions?</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.tntech.edu/files/me/Flowchart_Fall_2011_updated_7-19-12.pdf[/url]”>http://www.tntech.edu/files/me/Flowchart_Fall_2011_updated_7-19-12.pdf&lt;/a&gt; indicates that calculus 1 is at the start of some critical 7 semester long prerequisite sequences. Starting calculus 1 a semester late greatly increases the risk of graduating a semester late. While taking calculus 2 next summer would “catch up” in math, you would still be behind in the prerequisite sequences that depend on physics.</p>

<p>Of course, if you are not ready for calculus 1 after studying precalculus over this summer (or taking a course in it this summer) based on your school’s placement test, then you may have to take precalculus before calculus 1, in which case you should plan on the likelihood of an extra semester before graduation.</p>

<p>Is graduating a semester late that bad? I’ll take the placement test to see how it goes. What would be a good substitute for calculus based physics and the lab if I did take precalculus II and Calculus I? Also, would Calculus II and calculus based physics I over the next summer be a horrible idea?</p>

<p>Graduating late is not necessarily bad per se, but you need to consider two things:</p>

<p>a. If you have budgeted for eight semesters of school costs, then any extra semesters in school may be a burden that you (and your family) may find more difficult to handle, especially if you have a scholarship that runs out after eight semesters.</p>

<p>b. If the school does not offer every course every semester, then the semester delay may become a year delay.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help. I actually don’t remember if my scholarships are only for four years, nor if the courses I need to take offered all four years(I don’t register for classes until July 25).</p>

<p>Yes, I do have advice for learning calculus. I’ve repeated it so much on this forum I’m sick of typing it though. Just browse my previous posts. :)</p>

<p>Whatever your decision may be, if you are taking precalculus, I can not more highly recommend this book</p>

<p>[By</a> David Cohen: Cengage Advantage Books: Precalculus: A Problems-Oriented Approach Fifth (5th) Edition: -Author-: Amazon.com: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/David-Cohen-Advantage-Precalculus-Problems-Oriented/dp/B004HMCIW0/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371473029&sr=1-10&keywords=precalculus+david+cohen]By”>http://www.amazon.com/David-Cohen-Advantage-Precalculus-Problems-Oriented/dp/B004HMCIW0/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371473029&sr=1-10&keywords=precalculus+david+cohen)</p>

<p>I used it as a supplement when I was in highschool because our assigned textbook was simply dreadful ( and thats putting it nicely). Cohen, the author of the book whose link is given above, is exceptionally concise, clear, and his examples are easy to understand . Its a great resource and not too expensive. If you can get an older edition, it will work just as well and may be cheaper. Best of luck!</p>

<p>On the subject of graduating late:</p>

<p>(1) A one-semester delay in a prereq can result in a one-year delay in a class further down the road, because not everything is offered every semester. For example, you might not be able to take one of your spring senior classes in the summer or fall, forcing you to take it the following spring and fill up your schedule with other classes along the way to stay full time.</p>

<p>(2) Tuition and fees are high everywhere, and more time in school means less time collecting a paycheck. People at more expensive schools can easily take a $100K hit from tuition and lost wages just from delaying something like Calculus I if it results in a one year delay in graduation.</p>

<p>So, the practice placement has me at level 3, but I have two books coming in next week to study. What about taking Calculus II and Calculus Based Physics I at a CC incase I don’t score high enough? I looked at one and the credits are transferable for TTU.</p>

<p>It’s already too late to register for summer classes now.</p>

<p>I agree with the others that a one semester delay can easily turn into a one year delay in graduating, since it is common for classes to only be offered one semester. </p>

<p>Can you take a community college summer class this summer? At my local CC there are multiple different summer session lengths and starting times, and it would still be possible to enroll for a session that starts in early July.</p>

<p>I checked and Precal II registration ended Jun 2nd. Omly classes open are English comp II and a few others.</p>

<p>Looking at the M.E flowchart, you can still make it work (by taking calc 2 over the summer). Talk with your advisor. For example, you could also take Phys 2110 over the summer (with Calc 2)…or move Phys 2110 to fall Soph year…Phys 2120 to Spring soph yr…and move PC2550 from spring Soph year to spring Freshman year(to make room for Phys 2120)…just work it out with your advisor.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>