Should I take Math 53 as an incoming freshman in civil engineering? If so, which professor?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Berkeley’s AP credit site for engineering recommends that you only skip Math 1B if you get a 5 on Calc BC and I got a 4 (got a 4 on AB as well). However, I’m still able to skip it and go straight into 53. I’ve read online that 1B is a weeder class and that the material isn’t necessarily needed for 53 and 54, is this true? I’d like to skip as many classes as I can with AP credits.

For Math 53 this fall, my only options for professors are Daniel Tataru and James Sethian. Sethian has a low grade average on Berkeleytime and Tataru isn’t on there, so I’m not sure which professor to try to get.

2

Yes, definitely go straight to Math 53.

If you’re feeling iffy about the professors, then you have the option to take it in the spring and take other pre-requisite courses first.

3

Try the old Math 1B final exams to check your knowledge:
https://tbp.berkeley.edu/courses/math/1B/

4

My D had Stankova for 53 (P/NP because she took it just to support physics - didn’t need it for her major). Took her because she had had her for 1B and really liked her. But these were both in the spring, so not an option for you if you want to do it in the fall.