<p>I'm going to be doing chem engineering next year at UMD. I took the BC calculus exam and won't get my scores back until after orientation. I'm pretty sure I got a 5. Today, I got a letter from UMD saying I'm a "mathematically talented student". I don't think this letter is particularly special or anything, but they list out the possible math courses I could take.</p>
<p>Math 220 is the easy version of calculus which does not serve as a prereq to higher level math (which engineers must take). This is out of the question.</p>
<p>Math 140-141 is the engineering version of calculus. I think I have a good grasp on intro calc (i.e. BC calc) so I won't take this.</p>
<p>Math 240<em>241</em>246 is lin algebra, MV, and DQ. This requires math 140 or a 4 or 5 in BC calc. This and math 340 are what I'm torn up about taking.</p>
<p>Math 340 is math 240-241-246 but condensed into 2 semesters and with more rigor. You need a 4 or a 5 on BC calc and permission to take this class.</p>
<p>Also, I am planning on applying to med school. Which course should I take? And what will the people at UMD say at orientation considering I have not got my AP scores yet (so I'm not eliginle for 240 or 340 as far as they're concerned at this point)?</p>
<p>I think if you get that letter it means that you got a 5 on the BC exam. If you're invited to take that class it means you can. (I'm pretty sure.) This also probably means that UMD has your AP scores. You can check your scores by looking at your unofficial transcript which can be found at testudo.umd.edu. Honestly, unless you need to take linear algebra (240) for your major (not all engineers do), I wouldn't take it. It's much harder than the normal track. The kids I knew in it were the smartest people around and they all struggled like crazy. Especially if you're pre-med where GPA really counts, I wouldn't take it. If you do need linear algebra though, condensing 3 semesters into 2 might make things easier.</p>
<p>UMD had my scores before I did. I found out my scores from my unofficial transcript. </p>
<p>condensing 3 semesters into 2 would make scheduling easier. It wouldn't make the class easier. You could take certain classes earlier because you would have the prerequisites earlier. You would also be finished with your math requirement sooner.</p>
<p>If you want to be an engineer, you have to take the 140-141-241 track. You might need 240 and 246 depending on what kind of engineering you want to do.</p>
<p>If you took multivariable calculus in high school you should take MATH340-341. You'll already know most of the material anyways. Also, it's taught in a classroom instead of in a big lecture hall so you can connect with the professor better. The one bad thing is you'll be taught by a post-doc instead of a full0time faculty member.</p>
<p>I'd still recommend emailing the math advisor for permission to take MATH340. You have nothing to lose. Just describe your experience with math in high school. If she grants you permission then there's no reason not to take it. The difficulty of the class is overrated and depending on the professor you have your grade will be curved by a lot at the end of the semester.</p>
<p>For chemical engineering, you need Calc 1, 2, 3, and Differential Equations. MATH340/341 = calc3, linear algebra, and diffeq - so you don't really need the linear. I have some friends who took MATH340 and I've heard from friends that it was very fast-paced (that not necessarily being a bad thing).</p>
<p>Also a huge note - the math department will not allow students to repeat MATH340 or 341.</p>
<p>I did not take the 340/341 route. I took MATH241H and am planning to take MATH246 (regular or honors, haven't decided yet) for spring semester.</p>
<p>I am trying to decide between these two paths:</p>
<p>-MATH241H (MV) and then MATH246H (DQ)</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>-MATH340 and then MATH341 (MV, DQ, Lin Alg)</p>
<p>These both fulfill my math requirements for my major (chem engineering). I have taken BC Calculus in my senior year and expect a 5. I also plan to apply to medical school.</p>
<p><strong>disclaimer- never taken any of these classes</strong></p>
<p>You're going to med school so you want a good GPA. I don't see what the benefit in taking 340-341 would be for you since you don't need linear algebra and the classes are harder and nonrepeatable. </p>
<p>College math is very different from high school math and you may think you're prepared but halfway through a class is not the time to realize you're in over your head. I think you should take it "easy" with 241 and 246.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if this is part of your motivation, but please understand that the need to take the hardest classes available to you is much more of a high school phenomenon than a college one. Don't take 340-341 just because they're more advanced.</p>
<p>Thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear. I think med schools only really begin to question the difficulty of your courses when you're taking ridiculously easy courses. 241 and 246 are far from easy (neither are 140 and 141).</p>
<p>I would definitely recommend the 241/246 route. I agree with lindz. I came in with that same high school mentality of wanting to take the most advanced classes because I did really well in high school doing that. BUT (big but) college is different. I took 241 and I took multivariable in high school and I still had to put in a decent amount of time into the class. You're gonna want free time to 1) focus on your other classes, because they're gonna take up time too! and 2) relax and chill!! and 3) be able to sleep!!!</p>
<p>I hear lin algebra helps for chemE majors even though it's not a requirement. I think I want to take MATH240, but when is the best time? I don't want to take 2 math courses at the same time.</p>
<p>There's no rush, honestly. Many people continue with their math classes well into sophomore year. If I were you, I would take what's needed first - 241 and 246 and decide later if you would like to take linear algebra. Progress first and foremost with your major classes.</p>