Math Courses & Transferring to UCLA or UC Berkeley

  • Context: Courses 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hapyro
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Courses
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the course load and requirements for transferring to UCLA or UC Berkeley as a Math/Econ major from a community college. Participants explore the necessary math classes, including Calculus, Discrete Math, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra, and share strategies for managing these courses within a two-year timeframe.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions that UCLA recommended retaking Calculus 1 despite having a passing AP score, raising questions about preparedness for the course.
  • Another participant suggests that if the original poster can perform well on a test covering Calculus AB material, they might consider skipping the class.
  • There is a discussion about the sequence of courses, indicating that Calculus 1 must be completed before progressing to Calculus 2 and 3, as well as Differential Equations and Linear Algebra.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the difficulty of taking Calculus 3 and Linear Algebra in the same semester.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the listed courses represent a standard sequence and encourages a serious approach to the coursework.
  • There is a suggestion that Discrete Math can be taken concurrently with either Linear Algebra or Differential Equations, depending on the institution's prerequisites.
  • A participant advises checking course descriptions on the community college's website or the target universities' websites for clarity on course content.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various strategies and opinions regarding course sequencing and preparation, but there is no clear consensus on the best approach to managing the course load or the necessity of retaking Calculus 1.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention differing prerequisites for Discrete Math at various institutions, indicating that course requirements may vary. The discussion also reflects uncertainty about the original poster's readiness for certain courses based on their prior experience.

hapyro
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hey,

I'm currently attending a community college and I'm a Math/Econ major (yes, I know some of you think it's a joke). Anyway, I want to transfer to UCLA or UCBerkeley, but I just had a general question about math classes and such.

This semester, I'm not taking any math classes because I thought I'd be able to use my score from my Calculus AB AP test (4) to fill my Calc 1 requirement, but UCLA recommended that I do it over, so here's where the question comes into play.

I need to take Calc 1, 2, and 3 along with Discrete Math (I have no idea what that is), Differential Equations (no idea what that is either), and Linear Algebra. How would you guys recommend tackling this course load (I need to finish cc in two years)?

Thanks,

hapyro.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hapyro said:
[...]
This semester, I'm not taking any math classes because I thought I'd be able to use my score from my Calculus AB AP test (4) to fill my Calc 1 requirement, but UCLA recommended that I do it over, so here's where the question comes into play.

Depends, if someone gives you a test of Calc AB material, would you be able to complete that test with a good portion of answers correct? If yes, then go ahead and skip it, if not, then you'll probably have to retake the class.

hapyro said:
I need to take Calc 1, 2, and 3 along with Discrete Math (I have no idea what that is), Differential Equations (no idea what that is either), and Linear Algebra. How would you guys recommend tackling this course load (I need to finish cc in two years)?

Well, the courses follow each other in a sequence (Calc 1,2,3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations) so you'll need to complete one before taking the next one. Discrete Math is a bit different, different institutions have different course prerequisites (some require Calc 2, others Calc 3).

Because each one of them is a semester-long course, it'll take you 2.5 years to complete the sequence if you retake Calc 1 (you can take discrete math concurrently with either LA or DE)
 
hapyro said:
Discrete Math (I have no idea what that is), Differential Equations (no idea what that is either)

Doesn't your community college have course descriptions online? If they don't, and if those courses are supposed to be transferable to UCLA or Berkeley, then look up those courses on those schools' websites.
 
thrill3rnit3 said:
Because each one of them is a semester-long course, it'll take you 2.5 years to complete the sequence if you retake Calc 1 (you can take discrete math concurrently with either LA or DE)

I was thinking of doing Calc 1 (because I probably wouldn't be able to get 100% on a final test) next semester, then Calc 2 and C++ over summer. Then next year I'd take Calc 3 and Linear Algebra and the semester after that DE and Discrete Math.

Do you think Calc 3 and Linear Algebra would be too difficult to do in one semester?

@jtbell yeah, I have to take all these math courses in order to transfer. My school's website has course descriptions =)
 
hapyro said:
I need to take Calc 1, 2, and 3 along with Discrete Math (I have no idea what that is), Differential Equations (no idea what that is either), and Linear Algebra. How would you guys recommend tackling this course load (I need to finish cc in two years)?

What you've listed is quite a standard sequence of basic university-level mathematics courses; there's nothing for you to be afraid of. I would recommend that you tackle this course load in exactly the same way that thousands of math and physics students have in the years before you: take it seriously and work hard. I suggest doing calc 1 and 2 in the first year (to gain your first bit of mathematical maturity), and the rest in the 2nd year.
 
Elementary linear algebra can also be taken in your first year
 

Similar threads

Courses Navigating Two Math Classes and an Elective Simultaneously
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Courses Advanced Math for Computational Material Science Engineering
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Courses Math Course Advice -- Harvard freshman planning to double major in physics and mathematics
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
9K
Courses Need help in choosing math classes for a HS student
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Should I double up on math courses next school year?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Seeking online physics course using Berkeley Physics Vol 3 (Waves)
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
Courses Should I take Calculus 2 my freshman year of college?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
7K
Courses Course selection & study guidance for my Masters program
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Courses Taking 5 UD math courses in a single semester - nuts?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Uncertainty in pursuing Engineering
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K