Taking D.E. and Applied Calculus for Engineers Together?

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Taking both ENGR 213 Applied Ordinary Differential Equations and ENGR 233 Applied Advanced Calculus alongside introductory Electromagnetism is generally considered manageable, especially for students comfortable with Linear Algebra. Many students successfully take these math courses together, as they complement each other and provide a solid foundation for understanding complex engineering concepts. The workload may vary based on individual professors and their homework expectations, but the consensus is that the combination is feasible. It’s important to assess personal capacity and manage time effectively, as the success of this course load ultimately depends on individual study habits and course demands.
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I would like to know if the following would be too heavy while taking E&M and possibly Materials Science.

ENGR 213 Applied Ordinary Differential
Equations (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH 204 (Cegep Mathematics 105)
previously or concurrently; MATH 205 (Cegep
Mathematics 203). This course introduces engineering students to the theory and application of
ordinary differential equations. Definition and ter‑
minology, initial-value problems, separable differential equations, linear equations, exact equations,
solutions by substitution, linear models, orthogonal
trajectories, complex numbers, form of complex
numbers: powers and roots, theory: linear equations, homogeneous linear equations with constant
coefficients, undetermined coefficients, variation of
parameters, Cauchy-Euler equation, reduction of
order, linear models: initial value, review of power
series, power series solutions, theory, homogeneous linear systems, solution by diagonalisation,
non-homogeneous linear systems. Eigenvalues
and eigenvectors. Lectures: three hours per
week. Tutorial: two hours per week.


Alongside:

ENGR 233 Applied Advanced Calculus
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH 204 (Cegep Mathematics
105); MATH 205 (Cegep Mathematics 203). This
course introduces engineering students to the
theory and application of advanced calculus.
Functions of several variables, partial derivatives,
total and exact differentials, approximations
with differentials. Tangent plane and normal line
to a surface, directional derivatives, gradient.
Double and triple integrals. Polar, cylindrical,
and spherical coordinates. Change of variables
in double and triple integrals. Vector differential
calculus; divergence, curl, curvature, line
integrals, Green’s theorem, surface integrals,
divergence theorem, applications of divergence
theorem, Stokes’ theorem. Lectures: three hours
per week. Tutorial: two hours per week.


Please note that I have taken (and am rather comfortable with) Linear Algebra.

Bottom line: would the semester be too heavy?

Thanks in advance for any responses.
 
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Without knowing what else you are taking, no one will be able to tell you if the schedule will be too much (additionally, no one will ever be able to tell you if something is too much for you personally -- this is something that you need to measure for yourself).

That being said, taking two math courses along side one another is not generally an issue. It is also relatively common for people to take these two courses together (intro diffeQs, and calculus III -- this is presumably what these two courses are. Copying and pasting a course description is rather vague, given that the prerequisite numbers mean nothing out of context. That's what they look like, though).
 
Last Fall I took both Differential Equations and Calculus III at the same time and judging from these course descriptions it looks like that is what you're planning on taking also. I personally didn't consider the course load too heavy but it really depends on your professors and how much homework they assign.
 
ZenOne said:
I would like to know if the following would be too heavy while taking E&M and possibly Materials Science.

ENGR 213 Applied Ordinary Differential
Equations (3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH 204 (Cegep Mathematics 105)
previously or concurrently; MATH 205 (Cegep
Mathematics 203). This course introduces engineering students to the theory and application of
ordinary differential equations. Definition and ter‑
minology, initial-value problems, separable differential equations, linear equations, exact equations,
solutions by substitution, linear models, orthogonal
trajectories, complex numbers, form of complex
numbers: powers and roots, theory: linear equations, homogeneous linear equations with constant
coefficients, undetermined coefficients, variation of
parameters, Cauchy-Euler equation, reduction of
order, linear models: initial value, review of power
series, power series solutions, theory, homogeneous linear systems, solution by diagonalisation,
non-homogeneous linear systems. Eigenvalues
and eigenvectors. Lectures: three hours per
week. Tutorial: two hours per week.


Alongside:

ENGR 233 Applied Advanced Calculus
(3 credits)
Prerequisite: MATH 204 (Cegep Mathematics
105); MATH 205 (Cegep Mathematics 203). This
course introduces engineering students to the
theory and application of advanced calculus.
Functions of several variables, partial derivatives,
total and exact differentials, approximations
with differentials. Tangent plane and normal line
to a surface, directional derivatives, gradient.
Double and triple integrals. Polar, cylindrical,
and spherical coordinates. Change of variables
in double and triple integrals. Vector differential
calculus; divergence, curl, curvature, line
integrals, Green’s theorem, surface integrals,
divergence theorem, applications of divergence
theorem, Stokes’ theorem. Lectures: three hours
per week. Tutorial: two hours per week.


Please note that I have taken (and am rather comfortable with) Linear Algebra.

Bottom line: would the semester be too heavy?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Do you mean E&M as in Electromagnetism(upper level physics) or Electricity and Magnetism(intro E&M)? This really hinges on my advice. I'm going to assume its the latter because I doubt you would be able to enroll(or would even have a chance of surviving) if you aren't versed in vector calculus and differential equations.

Anyway, I would take both of those math courses. I am surprised the differential equation course doesn't have Laplace transforms in its description though...I'll also assume this is covered in the course because you can basically say goodbye to having to solve many of those equations with their each individualized method.

The Advanced calculus course sounds exactly like Calc 3. This class along with differential equation will build a strong foundation for you. I say go for it!
 
You are correct--it IS introductory E&M. I will go for it--thank you all.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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