<p>I am preparing to take Calculus II in Spring. When I started college, I placed in developmental math (Intermediate Algebra), and have since then received A's in all of my math courses (Interm. Algebra, College Algebra, Trig., Pre-Cal, Cal. 1). I've talked to my professors and they recommend not taking any classes that are too difficult with Calc. 2 because it's a "bear." So, it leaves me with the question, what should I take? I have to be enrolled full time, so I was wondering if it would be better to take something like 3 STEM courses (Physics, Chem, Calc. 2) or if I should take 3 liberal arts courses and Calc. 2. Any recommendations on how to tackle this?</p>
<p>Does your school offer a flowchart? Or a recommended sequence? Typically, Calc 2 is taken second semester of freshman year with Physics I or II, and a variety of other classes (humanities, as well as some intro engineering courses). </p>
<p>If you feel pretty confident overall with algebra and Calc 1, you should have no problem taking Calc 2 with Physics I or II. Also check to make sure the physics classes don’t have pre-req or requisite requirements with Calc 2.</p>
<p>I consider Calc 2 a little harder than Calc 1 for most students but it’s not a totally different ballpark. If you got A’s in five straight math courses leading up to this, I don’t see this course being a course that requires you to make sure the rest of your schedule is easy. I don’t see why you have to choose between either 3 STEM courses or 3 liberal arts courses to go along with it. Is mixing not an option?</p>
<p>For Physics, my school offers calculus based physics and algebra based physics. My calculus physics required multivariable calculus but your school could be different so it’s a good idea to check that out. Have you talked to people about the difficulty of Physics at your school? I know at my school, the calculus based physics is a killer and takes a lot of time (much more than calc 2 here). </p>
<p>My flow chart requires Physics I & II prior to Eng. Physics I & II. The Eng. Physics requires Calc. II and III. The reason why I am not considering mixing is because I am trying to take as close to 12 credits as I can. I don’t want to take too many credit hours with Calc. 2, just based on what I’ve heard. If I mix course types i.e. Liberal Arts with STEM, I will be at 11 hours, and not considered full time. If I take 3 liberal arts courses WITH Calc. 2 it’ll put me at 13 hours, where Calc. 2 along with 2 other stem courses will put me right at 12. If I mix I would have to take Calc 2., 1 Stem, and 2 lib. arts @ 14 credit hours.</p>
<p>Ok so I see now that you are in a very specific situation.</p>
<p>Are you going to be working at the same time? How quick are you trying to graduate and did you enter with HS credit?</p>
<p>During the spring semester of my freshman year I took Sequences Series and Multivariable Calculus (second part of our accelerated two semester calc sequence), Engineering Physics 1, two liberal arts courses with a lesser workload, and a general engineering course for 16 hours and was okay. If you can find two easy liberal arts courses at your school that count towards your degree, then doing the last option you listed with 14 credit hours is very do-able. I think taking Physics would be a good idea since it’s a four semester sequence. If the semester of your graduation is not at big risk, then taking 12 credits would not be a big deal.</p>
<p>Have you heard from multiple sources at your school that calc 2 specifically at your school is way harder than the other calcs? For someone who got A’s in 5 straight math classes leading up to this (which is very impressive by the way) I still don’t see that course alone forcing you to have to take a 12 credit hour schedule. I can definitely see how someone who struggles in math to be wanting to take a 12 credit hour course with calc 2. It’s hard to say which specific schedule you should take without being in your shoes but I strongly believe that there are much harder schedules than what you have listed and that you should be fine with the difficulty of any of those schedules. Best of luck!</p>