Do I Need to Take Calculus II at MIT if I Get a 5 on AP Calculus BC?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a student who scores a 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam is required to take Calculus II at MIT. It explores the implications of AP credit in the context of MIT's calculus curriculum and the varying expectations based on different academic majors.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question if a score of 5 on AP Calculus BC exempts a student from taking Calculus II at MIT.
  • A participant references MIT's advanced placement policy, suggesting that Math 18.01 is equivalent to Calculus I and II at other institutions, with the next course being 18.02, multivariable calculus.
  • Another participant argues that for students majoring in math, a 5 on the AP exam does not necessarily indicate a sufficient understanding of calculus, recommending courses 18.014 and 18.024, which focus on calculus with theory.
  • Concerns are raised about the limitations of AP calculus education, particularly its lack of emphasis on proofs and deeper mathematical thinking, which some believe are essential for a solid foundation in mathematics.
  • It is suggested that for fields like economics or chemistry, an AP level understanding may be adequate, as these disciplines may not require the same depth of mathematical comprehension.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the adequacy of AP Calculus BC for fulfilling MIT's calculus requirements, with no consensus reached on whether a 5 on the exam is sufficient for exemption from Calculus II.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying interpretations of what constitutes sufficient mathematical understanding for different majors and the potential gaps in knowledge from AP calculus education.

Nerd10
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If I get a 5 on AP Calculus BC, do I still have to take Calculus II at MIT? Or I don't have to take it?
 
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A Google search on "MIT advanced placement" led me (after a couple of clicks) to this page:

http://web.mit.edu/firstyear/2017/subjects/incomingcredit/ap.html#math

Math 18.01 appears to be equivalent to most other schools' Calculus I + II, as the next course is 18.02, multivariable calculus.
 
Thank you.
 
Nerd10 said:
If I get a 5 on AP Calculus BC, do I still have to take Calculus II at MIT? Or I don't have to take it?

If you're planning on majoring in math then a 5 on Calc BC shows nothing about whether you have learned calculus. You would want to take 18.014 and 18.024 at MIT, Calculus with Theory. If you can understand Apostol or Spivak and do the problems, then you don't need MIT's calculus classes.

AP level understanding is good enough if you're going to be an economist or a chemist, where you don't have to really understand the math, but just be able to use it as a tool.

The basic problem with AP level high school calculus is that it skips the proofs and real mathematical thinking and just teaches you a bunch of techniques. Sometimes you get better, but as it's not necessary for the AP test that takes an exceptional teacher.
 

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