What math classes should I take?

Hello. I currently take AP Calculus AB. BC is not offered at my school.

I intend to be a math major in college. Which of the following should I take at my local community college (concurrent enrollment)? A rank of priority would be nice.

  • Applied Calculus
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (considered the equivalent of AP Calc BC)
  • Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (prereq: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II)
  • Introduction to Linear Algebra (" ")
  • Introduction to Differential Equations (" ")

Thanks!

The priority (and sequence) would be:

1/ Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (considered the equivalent of AP Calc BC)
2/ Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (prereq: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II)
3/ Introduction to Linear Algebra (" “) and/or Introduction to Differential Equations (” ")
4/ Whichever one you did not take in 3.

Without seeing a course catalog, applied calculus is probably an calculus alternative for the less hard-core math student, and would normally not be taken in addition to calculus. Discrete math at a cc is usually a problem-solving alternative to pre-calc.

Take Calculus I with Analytic Geometry concurrently with Discrete Math the first semester, then take Calculus with Analytic Geometry II and Linear Algebra (if possible, you probably need a waiver) second semester. After that, take differential equations with Calc III if not accelerated. If accelerated, just take Calc III. This way you get experience in proofs and calculation concurrently.

Applied Calculus is calculus without geometry and likely does not apply towards your major.

I would not jump ahead. AP Calculus BC is the easy version of calculus 1 and 2. It won’t help you for higher math courses. Even if you got a 5 on the exam, it won’t compared to the difficulty a college student taking calculus.

If you do decide to jump ahead, self-study in some of your weaker areas before the break to fill in the gaps. It is possible, but you are going to have to work really hard if you want to do that because math is not something you can naturally jump ahead in. I feel like the only way to accelerate math skill is to put it in the time even if it means pain. It doesn’t mean that you can’t do it though, but be careful.

Calc II then Calc III. That’s a year. After you complete those, if still in high school, then take linear and diff eq.

Many math majors take linear algebra and diff eq at the same time.

Calculus 2 is the next course in sequence after high school calculus AB. You are probably ready for calculus 2 if you earn a 5 on the calculus AB exam, but be aware that college math courses will cover the material more quickly than high school calculus AB. Try the college’s old calculus 1 final exams to check your readiness to take calculus 2 (especially if you earn a 3 or 4). You can also try this quiz: http://www.math.buffalo.edu/rur/rurcii6.cgi .

After calculus 2, you can usually take calculus 3, linear algebra, and differential equations in any order (check the college’s prerequisites for each course). Some colleges have linear algebra and differential equations combined into one course, so useful transfer credit if you take one but not the other may not be available.

Discrete math is typically for computer science majors, but some math majors may find it useful or required (if it includes instruction on proof techniques, it will be a gentler introduction to that than more advanced courses like real analysis). In many cases, it may be taken independently of calculus-based math.

Applied calculus is often a less rigorous course for business majors, so it would not be useful for math majors.