Schedule for Fall Quarter - Linear Algebra or Fundamentals of Math?

[Flat]

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out if Linear Algebra or the Foundations of Higher Mathematics would be best to take for fall quarter. I briefly thought about just taking both, but I'm not sure if I could handle it. Originally I was thinking about take linear algebra, but a friend thought it may be best to take the Foundations class so I would be introduced to proofs.

Schedule for Fall Quarter:
Math- Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations
Physics - Dynamics of Particles and Waves (second year physics)
NE - Introduction to Nuclear Engineering
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Math- Introductory Linear Algebra
Math- Foundations of Higher Mathematics **

**Designed to prepare students for higher mathematics; an introduction to logic, proof techniques, set theory, number theory, integers, real numbers.

Any thoughts?

 

[AUMathTutor]

Realistically, I think they're both on about the same level of difficulty and requisite mathematical maturity.

Higher Math will probably help you more in Linear Algebra than Linear Algebra would help in Higher Math, but not by much.

 

[Flat]

Thanks for the response. I have decided to double check the prereqs for my physics and NE courses to make sure I don't end up messing myself up later on the road, but so far so good.

 

[daveyinaz]

Is the introduction to linear algebra a computational-based or proof-based course? If it is the latter, then the foundations class would be better to take prior to linear algebra.

 

[Flat]

Is the introduction to linear algebra a computational-based or proof-based course? If it is the latter, then the foundations class would be better to take prior to linear algebra.

I'm almost positive it is computational. This is the course Engineering students take, and the other Intro to Linear Algebra is a two quarter series that the math majors typically take.

 

[AUMathTutor]

...
What do you want out of linear algebra? The computational version may be more useful for undergraduate physics courses, but I'd wager that a heavy dose of theory would be invaluable later on.

The reason I ask is that you're taking the intro to higher math, and that seems to indicate you want to go the proofs direction. Have you thought hard about this?

 

[Flat]

...
What do you want out of linear algebra? The computational version may be more useful for undergraduate physics courses, but I'd wager that a heavy dose of theory would be invaluable later on.

The reason I ask is that you're taking the intro to higher math, and that seems to indicate you want to go the proofs direction. Have you thought hard about this?

The higher math course is just a requirement. It seems like every other required math class after that is computational based. I am thinking about taking "Modern Mathematical Methods in Relativity Theory" for giggles, which could be proof based.