<p>So...</p>
<p>I'm finishing up my junior year, in which I took AP Calculus BC. Next year, I was planning on taking math courses at the local college, as my school's curriculum stops at BC. Looking at this college's course catalogue and schedule for Fall Semester 2009, I found that only Calculus II (the equivalent of BC) is offered, with Multivariate (Calculus III) only offered during the Spring Semester. My question, then, is would colleges frown upon my retaking of Calculus II after earning an A+ in BC? If so, what other courses might I consider since four years of math is all but required?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I don’t think you’re going to be dinged due to the 4 years of math requirement since it is also the level they’re looking at and AP Calc BC is the highest that colleges expect in HS, anything beyond that is gravy. I wouldn’t advise repeating the Calc II, you might as well continue with higher coursework, as it will count once you get to college. You could also take AP Stats if that’s offered at your school. </p>
<p>I know that my D took 2 quarters of college Vector Calc sr year, but truthfully, I can’t remember if she had Calc AB or BC in her HS.</p>
<p>Thanks entomom.</p>
<p>Extra Info…
I’m predicting a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam, and the college grants credit for both Calculus I and II for such a score.</p>
<p>During the first semester, the college also offers “Discrete Mathematics,” “Linear Algebra,” and “Probability and Statistics I”. Which of these courses should I take since Calculus II might not be an option?</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>You’re welcome. I’m going to let some of the more math oriented members answer your question as I don’t know the natural sequence or pros/cons of taking one of those courses over the others.</p>
<p>Discrete Mathematics consists of sets, relations, combinations, permutations, logic, matrices, and probably boolean algebra. It’s an introduction to number based mathematics essentially. </p>
<p>I would assume Prob. and Stat. I is like ap stats, but with less fluff. </p>
<p>Linear Algebra is what I recommend you to take. It basically consists of matrices and systems of linear equations, and eigenvalues/eigenvectors. Linear Algebra is like a “blank check” math class. Once you’ve completed it, there are A LOT of math courses you can take afterward. Discrete Maths is more restrictive because there are not as many courses that have it as a pre-requisite. Nearly all higher math courses require Lin. Alg. as a pre-req, and it’s a very interesting subject.</p>
<p>I concur with An0maly. Additionally, my H the math prof says linear algebra is frequently used as a “weeder course” for engineering majors.</p>
<p>My S is finishing up an on line class in linear algebra (rising senior.) I believe he attributes part of his success in landing a summer internship at USC (with an Earth Science professor, doing climate change modeling) due to his completion of linear algebra, as the professor he’ll be working with made strong note of this.</p>
<p>Wow, what great help, that’s why I love this place!</p>
<p>Congrats on your son’s internship FindAPlace! I’m also a rising senior and I’m going to be done teaching myself Linear Algbera soon as well. I didn’t apply for an internship, but I was able to secure an analysis course as an independent study with a professor at FIU, so I’m pretty pumped about that.</p>
<p>I’d go by how good a teacher the prof is and whichever looks like a more interesting prospect. If you haven’t had a serious computer science or logic course they’d be good to check out, too. </p>
<p>Linear algebra is highly recommended if you’re planning to major in math, physical sciences, engineering., etc. (I didn’t, but I enjoyed linear algebra, and know that it tends to be respected by “hard science” types.) Stats is likely more useful for majors in social sciences, pre-med and some of the life sciences. (Multivariate stats is fun, but first year stats courses typically don’t get that far.)</p>
<p>I think most colleges would consider a 5 on AP Calculus BC equivalent to four years of math.</p>
<p>An0maly:</p>
<p>Obviously you have quite a bit going for you, based on your reply to OP’s question and your quick progression in higher mathematics. Good luck to you next year with college admissions.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the input! I’ve decided to suck it up and retake Calc II because it is offered at the same time first semester that Calc III is offered second semester and would thus require less finagling of my schedule than would Linear Algebra.</p>