Parents of engineering freshman.... - Page 2

CUlater21 · 12-23-2011, 09:37 PM

And I should add that he can definitely catch up in math. In fact, having to work hard now will serve him well later on in the math sequence. Some kids come in and coast through Calc. I or Calc. II only to be caught off guard and unprepared for college-level math when it comes to multivariable calculus or differential equations. I'm basing this on what I have seen, anyway.

ucbalumnus · 12-23-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrinkrap

Grrrrr....the math question has been raised and .......whatever comes after raised. Don't get me started. But is there no hope of catching up?

Well, he is one semester behind in math, which you said he will "catch up" over summer. Then he will be at the normal level in math.

One possible issue is if the physics course he will take in the spring assumes completion of first semester freshman calculus (or if having completed that would help). This would increase the risk of struggling in the course, or delay his program of study if he needs to delay taking the course (though he would want to add it in the summer to "catch up" if that is the case).

Note that a normal summer session at a semester system school is two courses or about 8 credits, since the summer session is half the length of a normal semester. He may want to take an additional course in addition to the "catch up" second semester calculus, either physics if he needs to "catch up" there as described above, or something to help fulfill other requirements (including humanities and social studies). Also, check to see if the school will accept courses taken at a semester system community college near home if cost is an issue (but check whether the community colleges actually have space available).

Perhaps you want to warn other parents considering private high schools to consider private high schools other than that one.

katliamom · 12-23-2011, 09:48 PM

Some kids "discover" the humanities only in college, when it is taught by (often) enthusiastic young professors. College literature courses also are often more analytical than in high school, and that could be appealing to your son. (Happened to my husband. Switched from physics to literature as a major. Much to his parents' chagrin.)

As to taking 5 years in college for an engineering degree -- I think that's very very common. Heck, many kids in all kinds of majors are taking 5 years at the CSUs. So I don't think your son will stand out, negatively, in any way.

momtotwins · 12-23-2011, 09:54 PM

I think the issue with math preparation in high school starts in grade school. In my son's case, his grade school didn't have algebra so his freshman year in high school he took algebra when kids from other grade schools with algebra options in 8th grade were taking Geometry freshman year. Those kids could take Geometry Freshman year, Algebra two sophomore year, then a year of precalculus and a year of calculus. My son started Freshman year with algebra 1, then Geometry and had to catch up junior year by taking a class that was essentially algebra two and precalculus rolled into one so he would be ready for AP calculus his senior year. He is now also an engineering freshman. Just got his first report card with a 3.2 - not bad with 18 credit hours that included calculus 2 and physics.

ucbalumnus · 12-23-2011, 10:01 PM

True, math preparation starts in grade school, but a high school that gives A grades in math to students who will be placed into precalculus in college is not being helpful.

Also, algebra 1 in 9th grade is the normal sequence; taking geometry in 9th grade is one grade level ahead.

Shrinkrap · 12-23-2011, 10:02 PM

Katliamom, if son was at a CSU, I would be all over the five year plan. At 55k, it will require some adjustment, but we will do it if it makes sense.

Momtotwins, my d was one of those algebra in 8th grade kids, and at the same school. Son was still having some behavioral problems in 8th grade and we were glad he only got suspended. He missed a lot just from getting sent out of class.

But he's a great kid...really!

ucbalumnus · 12-23-2011, 10:28 PM

If cost is a concern, see if the school will accept the "catch up" math and whatever else he wants to take at a semester system community college in the summer. And make sure to register as soon as the community college opens registration, because it is likely to fill up quickly.

Shrinkrap · 12-23-2011, 10:32 PM

Thank you. That, or sac state, or UC Davis, is what we had in mind. I did ask son to look into this. I will have to ask. Do you know which are hardest to get into in the summer? Or what to look for in the curriculum?

sylvan8798 · 12-23-2011, 10:42 PM

Shrinkrap - what did S get in pre- calc and what is he taking in spring? Very concerned about his risk of sinking altogether...

ucbalumnus · 12-23-2011, 10:45 PM

UC Davis is on the quarter system. The courses there will not line up with the courses at a semester system school.

CSU Sacramento is on the semester system. Its course Math 31 appears to be a typical second semester freshman calculus course.

According to Welcome to ASSIST , equivalent courses to CSU Sacramento's Math 31 at nearby community colleges are:

Sacramento City Math 401
Cosumnes River Math 401
American River Math 401
Woodland Math 1B
Folsom Lake Math 401
Sierra Math 31

Shrinkrap · 12-23-2011, 11:03 PM

Thanks ucb!

He got a B- in pre calc.

Spring looks something like this (credits)

Spring Semester S.H.
ENGR 160 Algorithms & Applications (3)
MATH 132 Calculus 4
PHYS 101 Intro to Mechanics 4
BIOL 114 Gen Biology for Engineers 3___
University Core 3

crizello · 12-23-2011, 11:05 PM

It is good to hear from other parents in similar situations. My S is also in engineering, and had a very difficult time with first quarter, missed 2.0 by a sliver, and is now on probation.

He wants to continue and is convinced he still likes it, but has expressed some doubts about his abilities. (He was 3.5 in HS.)

We are going to urge him to see his adviser, make sure he gets into study groups, etc, and limit his units. He has already talked about taking the required english course this summer, as he can't get it at UC yet. Maybe he might want to think about other courses as well during the summer, something that we haven't yet considered.

He is clearly capable, and he knows that he is in for a rough ride with engineering. It is something he always knew he would do, but we shall see.

Just as with pre-med students, it would be nice if schools gave extra attention to the engineering students. Our country needs both good docs and engineers!

scubasteve1119 · 12-23-2011, 11:07 PM

Entry-level Engineering courses are made to try to "weed out" those who cannot handle the time intensive course work. If he wants to be an engineer he will follow through, suck it up, work harder, and stay up later to learn the material. This is why engineering is hard. You need have a passion for it.

ucbalumnus · 12-23-2011, 11:22 PM

Time management will be important with that schedule, since it looks like two lab courses (physics and biology) and a course with computer programming, alongside two other courses.

parent1986 · 12-23-2011, 11:25 PM

Parents should make sure your child has a copy of the school's engineering handbook and you should have your own copy to help your child plan his schedule for four years.

Don't depend on advisors and/or your child to do it alone - there are many requirements - more than with other majors, they differ by engineering major, and they differ at each school.

If you want your child to be done in four years you must start this before the first semester, or as soon as possible.

My son took multivariable calculus and differential equations his freshman year, as well as math for engineers.