Question Regarding Math Credits and Accelerated Graduation

<p>Hello. I am a current high school junior and will be graduating with over 60 credits applicable to my bachelor's at UVA. I know that I still have to complete 60 credits at the university itself. If I wanted to graduate in a year as a math major, this means I would have to take about 20 courses in the fall and spring semesters as well as the summer right? I have taken calculus I, II, III, and linear algebra so far and am taking calculus IV, complex analysis, and analysis next year. Are there placement tests to gain exemption from these courses? If so, would successful completion of these placement tests give me credit that counts towards my major and degree completion so that I would only need to take 15 courses in a year (using BC credit for calculus I and II so that counts as part of the first 60)? Or do these placement tests only allow me to take higher level classes. Thank you for your time; I truly appreciate it.</p>

<p>They likely won’t be applicable. UVa doesn’t give much credit.</p>

<p>As far as I know, there are no math placement tests (for the College). You’re free to enroll in whatever class you want, though you don’t get credit for the classes you skip. A score of at least 4 on the BC exam will earn you credit for calc I and II. You’ll most likely earn credit for calc III and linear algebra, but I’m not sure if you’ll receive credit for your other math classes. What’s calc IV exactly?</p>

<p>@Cladbury : I know that I can receive credit for up to 60 credits from my AP exams; the other 60 would have to be completed at the university. David Banh accomplished this task already so I know that this is possible; I’m just trying to figure out potential mechanics that could make the process easier.</p>

<p>@AbelianGrape : Thank you for your informative response. I know that an adequate BC exam score confers credit for calculus I and II and that one can enroll in any classes that they feel prepared for. However, I wanted to know if there were any tests that are available for students who wish to gain exemption from and credit for a course. I consider differential equations to be calc IV. Maybe it is not, but regardless, I am taking differential equations next year and it is a requirement for the math major track I’m looking at.</p>

<p>I don’t think it’s possible to take 60 credits in a single year, especially while doing a major like math that requires you to take courses sequentially. The usual course load is 15 credits; occasionally people will go up one course to 18 credits. But it’s not that easy to take an overload, especially if you also have a work-study job, a social life, and/or interesting extracurricular activities, and if you want to get excellent grades. Most students find the coursework at UVA quite a lot more demanding than their coursework in high school; just because you can take seven classes at a time now doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do the same in college.</p>

<p>Remember too that not every course is offered every semester and that sometimes you will encounter scheduling conflicts in particular semesters. Course offerings in the summer are much spottier than during the school year. Classes meet every day for 3 weeks straight, and not all subjects can be taught in such a condensed format. I don’t believe it’s possible to take more than 2 summer courses at a time.</p>

<p>It’s not clear why you would want to accelerate this dramatically anyhow, unless you are very, very short of funds. It’s generally not hard at UVA for talented students to get themselves into advanced and grad courses in their fields of interest, and there are plenty of things to learn outside your major. Advanced standing in one or more fields can make double-majoring easier, too. Even if you come in with a lot of AP credit, I think you’d be better off planning to spend at least two years, maybe three or four.</p>

<p>There was a guy from TJ who graduated in a year.</p>

<p>I came in with credit for Calc 2, 3, diff eq, and then had 8 math classes left to take. You can’t get credit unless you’ve taken the math classes at a college and the credit can transfer. You’re free to take any class you’re qualified for – the (College) math department doesn’t stick heavily to placements like some other departments. The eschool has strict math placements though.</p>

<p>The better question is why you want to graduate in a year with a math degree. If your goal is graduate school, stay and do a master’s. If your goal is work force, you won’t get hired as a 19 year old. Again, stay and do a master’s, or double major, or enjoy life.</p>

<p>ETA - jingle, most math courses just require calc 2 as a prereq, there is no “order” after calculus.</p>

<p>The good news is if you do take all those courses and understand the material well, you’re prepared to take any undergraduate math course you want. So you could probably skip the 300 level classes and take 500 level ones.</p>