Need Summer Class Advice - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Need Summer Class Advice

Posted: 3/24/2013 2:20:58 PM EDT

I'll be brief:

I have to take a summer class. It has to be Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus or Diff. Eq.

Is one better to take before the others?

Posted: 3/24/2013 2:48:50 PM EDT

[#1]

Which ever one you feel you can do in a shorter summer session and make the best grade.

Posted: 3/24/2013 2:48:58 PM EDT

[#2]

Algebra.

Posted: 3/24/2013 7:52:07 PM EDT

[#3]

I knocked my linear algebra out during summer school working full time. It was a piece of cake, even easier if you have a ti89 to check your answers.
It will probably make your calc easier, no effect on ODE.

Posted: 3/25/2013 1:11:51 AM EDT

[#4]

Alright. Thanks.

Posted: 3/25/2013 5:17:49 AM EDT

[#5]

Are you at VT? I'm not sure how summer math classes are run, are they online or in class? I found linear algebra to be easiest, but you can't use a calculator in any. If its a class at the Math Empo, you can use the 4 function on the computer, though.

Posted: 3/25/2013 6:45:08 AM EDT

[#6]

Of those three, I did best in multivariable calc. It's really a personal preference. I struggled a bit in linear algebra, but others had the opposite experience. There's no easy answer here.

All I will tell you is don't take real analysis over the summer.

Posted: 3/25/2013 1:42:05 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Are you at VT? I'm not sure how summer math classes are run, are they online or in class? I found linear algebra to be easiest, but you can't use a calculator in any. If its a class at the Math Empo, you can use the 4 function on the computer, though.

I'm taking the class from a community college (I'm a cheapskate) and it will be online. I had to register last night and I chose Vector Calculus (Multivariable).

Posted: 3/26/2013 8:47:38 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Are you at VT? I'm not sure how summer math classes are run, are they online or in class? I found linear algebra to be easiest, but you can't use a calculator in any. If its a class at the Math Empo, you can use the 4 function on the computer, though.

I'm taking the class from a community college (I'm a cheapskate) and it will be online. I had to register last night and I chose Vector Calculus (Multivariable).

Good luck! Multi wasn't too bad, I didn't think.

Posted: 3/30/2013 3:55:01 PM EDT

[#9]

I would have advised algebra. I thought it was the easiest of the 3. Easier to swallow up in 8 weeks, that is.

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Posted: 4/1/2013 9:09:10 PM EDT

[#10]

Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

Posted: 4/1/2013 9:12:47 PM EDT

[#11]

I would do linear Algebra, also... but if you aren't good at math, these are not good summer classes.

ETA: That said, Difficult Equations is usually a terminal class for most people, with nothing beyond it... I would not take any of these if you are ever going to take them as a Pre-requisite for another class. IMO, you just don't learn as much in an abbreviated summer class as you do in a normal session...

Posted: 4/2/2013 4:34:33 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

Linear Algebra is required for all engineering majors, science majors and math majors here.

Posted: 4/2/2013 4:39:28 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
I would do linear Algebra, also... but if you aren't good at math, these are not good summer classes.

ETA: That said, Difficult Equations is usually a terminal class for most people, with nothing beyond it... I would not take any of these if you are ever going to take them as a Pre-requisite for another class. IMO, you just don't learn as much in an abbreviated summer class as you do in a normal session...

I am good at math. My question was more of a which of the three depends more heavily on the other two. I had a chat with the professor who said that the way she teaches them, in Diff Eq we will use what we learn from Vector (Multivariable). None of the three is a prerequisite for anything except graduation. I'm leaving Linear Algebra for last since the general agreement is that it is the easiest of the three. By then, I'll need a relatively "easy" course to go with three engineering courses and Physics II.

Posted: 4/2/2013 7:54:01 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

I chose linear algebra to be my, "advanced math," which could have been either linear algebra or a stat class. So technically we do have a requirement beyond ODE, but what is kind of up to you.

Posted: 4/2/2013 2:19:10 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

I chose linear algebra to be my, "advanced math," which could have been either linear algebra or a stat class. So technically we do have a requirement beyond ODE, but what is kind of up to you.

I am not aware of mechanical engineering degrees that don't require linear algebra. Maybe it goes by a different name?

Posted: 4/2/2013 5:12:01 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

I chose linear algebra to be my, "advanced math," which could have been either linear algebra or a stat class. So technically we do have a requirement beyond ODE, but what is kind of up to you.

I am not aware of mechanical engineering degrees that don't require linear algebra. Maybe it goes by a different name?

Here is the course requirements for my school's ME program.

EDIT: I just looked and apparently AME 301 and 302 are linear algebra classes taught by the engineering department. Damn, that sucks. I wonder if they let students take it through the math department or if we have to go through AME to get the lab component.

Posted: 4/3/2013 3:48:02 PM EDT

[#17]

Oh you probably would rather have it through the engineering department rather than the math department. The math department at my school has a seething hatred for all non-math majors who take their classes. I'd like to see the sciences get their own math department, like calculus for science majors. I know my school got rid of linear algebra in favor of an engineering class called linear systems.

Posted: 4/4/2013 12:52:32 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Kind of off topic, but you are doing mechanical engineering aren't you? My school doesn't require linear algebra for mechanical; it would be interesting if yours does.

I chose linear algebra to be my, "advanced math," which could have been either linear algebra or a stat class. So technically we do have a requirement beyond ODE, but what is kind of up to you.

I am not aware of mechanical engineering degrees that don't require linear algebra. Maybe it goes by a different name?

Linear Algebra is not required by ABET, at least for mechanical. Multivariable calc and ODE are.

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