strive101

I will be taking Math 54 for summer sess C with Valby. Is this course in general difficult? Anyone know how Valby is in giving difficulty of problems/exams?

Do the students in the course generally do well (B's and A's)?

Thank you.

terenc

I have heard that the actual course material is very difficult.

But the difficulty depends tremendously on who is teaching the course (this applies to any class, really). One professor can decide to make the exams really easy. Another professor might decide to make the exams really hard.

The average grade is a B-. The most common grade is a B (the average tends to be dragged down by people who fail).
Slightly less than 20% of people get an A+ or an A.

strive101

Thanks

So if i'm someone of normal math ability but will actively go to every office hour and learning center drop-ins, is it possible to at least pass the course?

terenc

It depends on your previous math background.

It also depends on how many other classes you're taking.

crowslayer91

yes, i guarantee you will at least PASS the course. grabbing a C in 54 is cakewalk.

ucbalumnus

That depends on the student. Some students find it easy, some find it hard.

But note that if you skip Math 1B with AP credit or other college credit, be aware that Math 1B includes some introductory differential equations material that is not necessarily included in other high school or college calculus courses. You should self-study that material before the second half of Math 54, which picks up differential equations from where Math 1B left off. See the lower division course outlines: Lower Division Course Outlines | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley

strive101

Thanks, all!

I'll start reviewing the differential equations stuff during the first week.

crowslayer91

^lol where did u even get this plan? you won't be studying diff eqxs until like 8+ weeks into the class, by then you'll have forgotten everything. if i were u, get to generalized eigenvalues as fast as possible on your own time. that will help you out a lot more.

then run up to wave eqx trash if you still feel like it.

BerkeleyHopeful

Yes, getting a C is cake because about half of the exams are completely algorithmic (e.g. row-reducing to identity and applying Cramer's rule). Partial differential equations killed me though and of course you'll have to be good with proofs to get over a B.

So definitely expect to pass but to work hard for an A.