passionate

It would be better for you if you still remember your intro. linear algebra materials because you have to take the upper div. linear algebra course which emphasizes a lot more on theories. Abstract algebra also has linear algebra materials.
Well, I think you don't really need to remember a lot of stuff from single variable calc, multi-variable calc, diff. equations etc, but you should remember the basic things such as derivatives, integrals. I haven't taken Real Analysis yet, so I can't really tell. I know from my professor that Real Analysis is to "redo" calculus since you will prove a lot of things you had learned in calc.
In my opinion, for the two first upper div courses, linear algebra and abstract algebra, you won't need that much knowledge of lower div. courses ( lower div. linear algebra is an exception though because it helps you a lot if you are already familiar with it). However, your mathematical maturity is critical to understand the materials in those two classes.
It is also really helpful if your professor uses a book that you can understand most. By that I mean, some books are just too difficult to read. "Linear Algebra Done Right" is an example. This book scares me, and the thinner the book is, the harder it is. Trust me, you don't want a thin book.

student14x

Thanks for the advice! what sucks is I'm going to be stuck at a JC for a whole other year and I have only 1 math class left to take(intro to linear algebra) Oh well..

also, what do you mean by mathematical maturity? I consider myself rather quick when it comes to computation.(I can factor and isolate variables quickly) I'm very good at geometric relationships and have decent spatial visualization. I'm not good at proofs though, and I'm not great at solving problems that require creative thinking.

passionate

Don't waste your time during this one year. You can do some self-study basic linear algebra materials or investigate in depth the materials in your intro. linear algebra class. I would suggest you study beyond the materials covered in that class by practicing reading and doing proofs of the theorems in the book ( whatever linear algebra book you'll be using). You can get help from the prof. if you don't understand any proof and show him/her your interest in math. I think he/she will be happy to help you.
Definitions and theorems are really important in upper div. math. You always come to the definitions first, then theorems when doing proofs in linear. algebra.
By "mathematical maturity" I mean your level of mathematical sophistication in term of dealing with abstract mathematics. You should try to improve your skills in doing proofs because that's all you do for the rest of your mathematical career. Even applied math majors have to take proof-based courses as pure math majors, so you know what to do. There is barely computation in upper div. linear algebra and abstract algebra. If you're good at spatial visualization, it'll come in handy. Don't worry too much. You can start building your skills in proofs now, and you'll get better at it.

student14x

Do you think I can just use a proof based linear algebra book instead of an intro linear algebra book. In other words, is it possible to understand the material covered in your proof based linear algebra without an intro class?

Since you mentioned that most of the students in your math classes are lost, can I assume that there is little competition? Is there even a curve?

Also, Do the lower div math courses in Cal cover proofs? my institution never covered proofs in lower div courses.

passionate

Yes, it's possible, but it depends on how good you are with the abstract materials.
I would say that about half of the students in my class are lost ( since I see them in the GSI's office asking very simple homework questions ). I can't tell if it's competitive in the class. I don't know most of the students, and there must be some brilliant guys/girls in the class. I am not aware of my prof. grading on a curve now.
From what my friends told me, lower div math courses at Cal do cover proofs. I'm familiar with proofs because that's what math courses are about in my country. We deal with proofs more than computation.

DoctorWho

I apologize if this has been asked before, but what exactly is De-Cal? I keep hearing about it and reading about it online...

undecided

decal.org should tell you everything you need to know.

In a nutshell, it's the ASUC (Student Body) sanctioned "Democratic Education @ Cal" program where students teach courses on varying topics appealing to a wide variety of interests. The students set a syllabus and course requirements and get it approved by a supervising professor and the department in which they wish to offer their class, and it's offered the following semester.

DoctorWho

Ah I see, thanks undecided

g00gle

Hi,
thanks for making this post.
I have a quick question...if I get into the College of Engineering but in the future want to change majors, is it easy to transfer to CLS?
Thanks

sparetire

Yes. It's much easier transferring out of CoE to CLS than the other way around.

Decimal

Here's a relevant thread: Getting the heck out

ilovediamondz

I'm currently trying to decide what class to take to fulfill my R1A requirement this spring (it seems that there's less classes to choose from in the Spring...).

Does anyone know of an easier R1A class I could take? I'm currently thinking about taking French R1A with Billis or Martin.

Other classes on the online schedule of classes: English R1A, Comp Lit R1A, College Writing Program R1A, African American Studies R1A, Celtic Studies R1A, Rhetoric R1A, Slavic Languages R5A, and Scandinavian R5A.

sunfish

How is the number of units for a class computed? BA10 has 3 hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week and is assigned 3 units while some classes have only 3 hours of lecture but are assigned 4 units.

sunfish

What are the chances of getting in BA10 discussion if you're number 38 out of 34 seats? What about 45 out of 34?

jskpswimn

Is it difficult to get the classes you want w/ an undeclared major? Is it harder/easier to get in w/ undeclared major?