zzzisoo2

Im so worried because i plant to take math 1b in my frist semester and people keep saying that math 1 b is one of the hardest class at Cal..
I took Calc bc last year and passed with a 4 and i have to refresh myself since i haven't touched any calc problem almost for a year even though i plan to take multivariable calc at CC this summer.

should i start from math 1a to get used to math at Cal and boost my gpa?
I want to change my major into something else like mechE, CS or pre-biz
higher GPA should help me..

kenf1234

Why would you take multivariable calc at CC and then take 1b at Berkeley? You should take 1B (Calc 2 or whatever) at CC and then take multivariable cal at Berkeley. Wouldn't that make more sense?

Castel

Kenf1234's logic is infallible, as always.

When will people starting going to school to learn, not to just "boost my GPA" or "make the most money."

missnancy427

castel... finally someone in their right mind... i wanna go to berk not for a great job or to make money... but for the education and knowledge

realestate

i would take math1a instead of 1b. many people say its hard, but in the end, both courses give about 25% A-/A/A+ so doesn't really matter. but i dont understand taking multi calc at a cc.

come on guys, gpa is still very important. someday reality will hit you and you'll wish for a higher gpa than having more 'education and knowledge'. if you have a good gpa, that basically means you have lots of knowledge right?

but yeah, these threads are kind of annoying. math 1b is a popular class, many threads, many stats at websites.

IVIAuric

Could I possibly take Math 53 before Math 1b?

Castel

Of course that's true, but someday reality will hit you, and the $5-$10k difference you make each year due to GPA won't make up for the "education and knowledge" that you would have gotten instead.

Nope, SAT preparation is geared toward getting to know the bare details and how to get the highest score as easily as possible. The same applies to school, many people study only right before tests and all that bad stuff.
GPA =|= Knowledge

You can take it in any order, but people usually take 1A->1B->53->54 because of what you learn in the previous class applies to the next. It's like taking AP Calculus BC before Pre-calculus, kinda.

Whee, my first time using quotes.

cnat

Not all kids with a high GPA are very knowledgeable but if you are very knowledgeable in what your studying, you should have a high GPA provided that you aren't lazy and that you actually do in fact understand the material.

realestate

castel: its ironic that you value your education and knowledge as only $5000.
i think you might still be in high school where you are surrounded by people who get perfects on tests even though they only studied the night before. if you do that here at cal, thats an automatic F. in that case, you can kiss your gpa and knowledge goodbye. most people who get high gpas are very knowledgeable. most of the classes here at cal test your knowledge so no need to worry.

Azure326

I think "automatic F" is making Berkeley seem much more difficult than it really is. I know a decent amount of people that don't start until the day before or 2 days before midterms/finals and end up getting B's or higher (I'm one of them).

tastybeef

I agree that studying the night before works wonders for some people, while for the majority of the people, it stinks.

What you have to realize is that most tests in the sciences at Berkeley are not about regurgitating what you learn on the paper like in high school. The professors expect you to learn the concepts and apply them. Sometimes, you have to apply them to problems you haven't seen before on exams.

kenf1234

It also depends on what you mean by "studying". If you are regularly attending lecture and section, doing labs, and doing homework, that may be enough, and some review before an exam may be sufficient. If you want to call that "not studying until the night before", well...

RifleAutoWin

If hypothetically I get a 4 on BC Calc, can I still pass out of the Math 1B requirement and go straight to MultiVar calculus?

On the UC Berkeley website, it says for BC Calculus,
"Score: 5. Units: 5.3. Math 1A and Math 1B will be satisfied with a perfect score of 5. It is recommended that students with scores of 3 or 4 contact a non-major advisor in the Math Department (510-642-4024), or consider taking Math 1B."

Thus, you should CONSIDER taking 1B but are you REQUIRED to do it?
Also, if I take Math 53 over the summer and get B/A but somehow get a 4 on BC test would I have to redo Math 1B?

-Thanks

missnancy427

no u have to get a 5 on bc to skip math 1b

BlueElmo

Education and learning are temporary. GPA and grades are forever. They will be there even when you go to your grave.
Bottom line is: GPA is as important as actual learning.