Courses Which courses should I take this semester?

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The discussion centers on the decision of whether to drop Differential Equations (DE) in favor of taking Matrix Theory (Linear Algebra) due to the perceived benefits of Linear Algebra for understanding DE and Calculus 2/3. The individual is also considering the possibility of dropping Calculus 3 instead. Key points include the importance of course sequencing, as many upper-division math courses are only offered once a year, which can affect future scheduling. It is suggested that taking Linear Algebra and DE together in a later semester could be advantageous, as they complement each other well, while emphasizing that Calculus 3 remains a fundamental course. The overall consensus leans towards maintaining a balance between foundational courses and those that build on them.
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Hey guys!

I'm currently scheduled to take General Chemistry 1 w/ lab, General Physics 1 w/ lab, Calculus w/ AG 3 and Differential Equations this semester. But I was reading on a site that Linear Algebra teaches you tools that are very useful when learning DE and Calc 2/3. So I'm considering dropping DE and taking Matrix Theory (my University's LA 1.)

Does this sound like a solid plan? Or should I stick with DE. I'd take them both, but that would put me above the credit maximum for my school =/

As a side note, quality of professor isn't too much of a worry. I tend to do most of my learning on my own regardless of the professor.

Thanks!

EDIT: Also, what about dropping Calc 3 instead? Which combo of two classes would be most beneficial?
 
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At the CC I'm going to now, we take all Calculus first and then Linear Algebra and DE in the same final semester.
 
It depends entirely on your school, really. At my school, virtually every upper-division math course (that is, everything after and including Linear Algebra) is offered once per semester, one semester per year. Thus, if you miss a class, you need to wait another year to take it again. Because of that, I took my first course in Linear Algebra alongside Calculus III last Spring and took Differential Equations in the Summer so I could take PDEs over the Fall. Do you have any similar restrictions?

If not, I'd recommend taking Linear Algebra and Differential Equations concurrently in a later semester, since they complement each other nicely and Calc III is still quite fundamental.
 
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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