My plan is to do at least two years at my local community college and the transfer, hopefully, to a UC. It’s time to start signing up for classes and I’m completely lost on which math to take.
A little background, I took precalculus(Math Analysis) my junior year of high school and got a C both semesters. I took Calculus my senior year but dropped it after a week.
I was looking at the list of math classes at my community college and there are:
•elementary algebra
•intermediate algebra
•college algebra
•trigonometry
•precalculus and trigonometry
•pathway to statistics
•pre-algebra
•introductory to statistics
•applied calculus I
•calc/analy geometry I
I’m really confused on what would be the best fit for me. (Ps I’m leaning in the pre med route, but haven’t decided on a major yet)
I was struggling to pass precalculus. So I’m not sure if I should take precalculus again in college or go to algebra. I did decent in Algebra 2 in high school. Is Algebra in college easier or harder than precalculus?
Also, I don’t know which science to take either. I’m thinking of either chemistry, anatomy, or physics. I already took chemistry in high school and got Cs both semesters. As for anatomy and physics, they’ve always interested me. I would probably just take one science class the first semester and choose a different one the next. I’m really just curious on which science class would be smarter to take first to prepare me for the others.
Also, I know my high school grades aren’t wonderful for someone considering pre med. To be frank, I did not try my best in high school. I just aimed for a passing grade. But in college, im actually going to try because I care for my future and my money is on the line.
Don’t you need to take a placement test for math? That’s what I did a couple of years ago for both math and English. I have no clue about science though.
It would be helpful to know what you propose for a major. Do NOT take anything lower than pre-calc or applied Calc. If you take algebra, you are backtracking.
Some CCs drag out pre-calc courses for a full year. Best if you take it for one semester if it is offered that way and you feel you need a refresher. If you are thinking pre-med at a UC, they usually require Cal 1 and 2…so you will likely be behind if you start with pre-calc. Many majors require statistics as well, which is another option. It will satisfy the general math requirement to transfer to a UC.
If you are serious about pre-med, then taking the chemistry sequence beginning in semester one is a safe bet. The UC’s require that you fulfill your 1 math and 2 english/critical thinking prerequisites as well as the speech/communication requirement to be completed by the time you apply for transfer…so make sure that you take them early also. If you have an idea what UCs you are interested in, go to assist.org and take a look at how your community college classwork will transfer/articulate to the UC of your choice.
You need to go to your local CC and take a placement exam. Most CC’s won’t even allow you to sign up for a course if you have not taken the exam. The same goes for English courses. When it comes to science, there is no placement exam, you just register for the class and move along. Just check the pre-requs that are on the side of the registration. Some classes you’re going to need to have completed a pre-requ.
Just make an appointment with a counselor and they’ll basically guide you on what you need for your major for you to transfer.
Do not worry about doing poorly in your HS years. UC’s do not care about your HS grades.
I just took the self assessment test for math and it says that I should take “intermediate algebra”. Should I just take longer with my math so i can fully understand the material or try to wing it and take a much higher math? I realize that if I take intermediate algebra then it will take me longer to graduate.
From personal experience, I would say YES, start from the beginning. Math is not something you can just read and understand. It takes time and effort, especially if it’s not your strongest subject. When I took the placement exam some years back, I was told I should begin with Elementary Algebra but they gave me the option to be able to take Intermediate Algebra. I decided to forgo Elementary Algebra and just take Intermediate so I could save time and I would be able to transfer much faster. I was completely lost and I basically lost a year because I had to drop with a W. I had to take Elementary Algebra the following semester and then passing that course, I was ready for intermediate but I basically tried to take a short-cut and it backfired.
Remember, your college education should not be a sprint, it is a long and drawn out marathon. It is important to take your time and gradually move forward.
Premed is unlikely to stick if you got Cs in both math and chemistry in high school, because California premed is a bloodbath: too many students with perfect As don’t get a spot, let alone anyone else. It really is that tough.
For now, keep an open mind.
My advice would be to take introduction to statistics because it fulfills most majors (it’s even a premed requirement). Most students who decide to take intermediate algebra have to take so many remedial math classes they never end up being able to graduate from CC, to the point some colleges are experimenting with changing the system.
Once you’re done with statistics you can decide where to go from there, all majors are still open but you should have a better idea of what you like and dislike in terms of subjects.
Your first term, you should take statistics, EITHER general biology or general chemistry1+lab, Composition or Speech/communication, and psychology or sociology. All count toward IGETC, premed, and most majors.
I didn’t do so well in high school math either except in algebra. So in community college I took the placement test and ended up being placed in Trigonometry.
And thankfully, trigonometry was a great introduction to the things I would be learning in Pre-Calculus, and trigonometry has many things that will end up being important in Calculus.
You said your algebra skills are decent so you should start off taking trigonometry, then onto pre-calc and calculus so on.
pre-algebra = middle school math
elementary algebra = high school algebra 1
intermediate algebra = high school algebra 2
college algebra = high school precalculus without trigonometry
trigonometry = high school trigonometry
precalculus and trigonometry = high school precalculus with trigonometry
introductory to statistics = high school AP statistics
applied calculus I = less rigorous version of calculus 1
calc/analy geometry I = high school AP calculus AB
However, if a placement test recommends a math course for you based on what you know and do not know, it may be a good idea to follow that recommendation.