My son is looking at the registration website, and from the spots that look like they are available it seems like there are only 200-300 spots in calculus available for the entire freshman class. He hasn’t heard anything about trouble getting basic classes like calculus - is this likely to be a problem? He is in the last registration group.
If it is a problem, what are some strategies to deal with this?
There is probably more than one ‘variety’ of calculus–one for math majors, one for premed, one for engineers, etc. UR is the kind of school where tons of kids are taking calculus. Look at the math dept course listing, you may see this.
He says it is all the different ones - 141, 161, 171 etc… but maybe there is a secret section somewhere. I have a hard time imagining they would not accommodate freshmen who want to take any kind of calculus!
Based on our research into the matter, there are three calc sequences at UR—140s (general), 160s (science&engineering), and 170s (honors/theoretical mathematics). And I would guess that a lot of kids place out of the first-year of the 140 or 160 sequences based on CalcBC AP scores. (D did and is probably not going to take calc at all freshman year).
So I wouldn’t worry too much about the apparent discrepancy between the number of first-year calc spots and the number of incoming freshmen.
• 141-- is slower-paced version of Calc 1 and only covers about 2/3 of Calc 1’s material (The MTH 140 sequence covers the material in Calc 1 & Calc 2 over 3 semesters instead of the usual 2.)
• 161-- is the Calc 1 most people take
• 171 – is a theoretical, proof-based approach to calculus
Every student who wants to take MTH 141 or 161 can get a seat. That’s never been as issue. Both are lecture-type courses held in a big lecture hall. Additional recitations for 141 and 161 are added as needed by the university. Opening an additional section of MTH 171 requires meeting a minimum enrollment–usually >8 students.