CS major needing advice on which math classes to take

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hi. I am current taking classes at Orange Coast College and Golden West College and I need advice on which math classes to take.</p>

<p>The three schools I am most interested in transferring to are UCI, UCSD and UCLA. Currently I am taking all the prerequisites for UCLA because they have the most strict requirements which will also easily meet the requirements for UCI and UCSD, so I am trying to keep my future options as open as possible.</p>

<p>Currently, I have a dilemma on which math courses I should plan on taking. At GWC, they offer MATH G282 Ordinary Diff Equations and MATH G235 Intro Linear Algebra which are not transferable to UCLA. At OCC, MATH G285 Lin Algebra/Diff Equation is offered which is transferable. UCI and UCSD accept combinations of G282+G235 OR G285. The answer seems very simple from here; however, I want the most comprehensive math education I can get to best prepare myself for upper division mathematics courses and the G285 course description did not seem to include topics such as eigenvalues.</p>

<p>I’ve asked similar questions to the counselors at GWC, but I always get referred to assist.org which I’ve almost have memorized at this point. So I want some advice from anyone who might know, would taking G282 + G235 be more comprehensive? If it is, I would forego any attempts to transfer to UCLA because I value comprehensiveness more highly.</p>

<p>Note: I know its very difficult to give advice if you do not know the course curriculum, but any advice is appreciated. The resources I am using to determine which courses are transferable include assist.org and <a href=“http://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/transfercenter/pdf/advisementsheets/ADV%20SHEET%20MATH.pdf[/url]”>http://www.goldenwestcollege.edu/transfercenter/pdf/advisementsheets/ADV%20SHEET%20MATH.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
Also, here is a course description of the G235 class at GWC: “Introduction to linear algebra, classical linear algebra problems, and applications to computer science and related technologies including matrices, determinants, linear spaces, linear transformations, and eigenvalues”</p>

<p>course description of G282: This course provides students with an introduction to the theory, techniques and applications of ordinary differential equations. The topics covered include first-order differential equations, higher-order differential equations, power series solutions, Laplace transforms, systems of differential equations and numerical methods.</p>

<p>course description of G285: Introduction to linear algebra and differential equations. Topics include matrices, determinants, vector spaces, linear systems of equations, inner product spaces, first and second order differential equations, systems of differential equations, and Laplace transforms.</p>

<p>final note: A third, more creative option could be to take G235 and G285 despite the overlap. I am not sure if I would be missing out on some topics though. G285 is transferable to the three schools I am interested in and G235 is not. If I take G235 and G285, there would be no credit for G235 since G285 is used in place of this class.</p>

2

<p>There’s a saying: don’t let college interfere with your education. I think this is highly relevant in your case. Your goals ought to be:</p>

<p>1) Satisfy requirements. This means: take classes that will transfer to wherever you want to go (easily verified on assist). If you take non-transferable classes, then you will have to retake the classes (unless you work a sweet deal). The more checks next to requirements you have in your application, the better the college will like you. Your karma will be in tune with nature’s, your chi will flow smoothly, and the rest.</p>

<p>2) Learn ****(stuff). Independently of your classes. Go to the library. Find a copy of Schaum’s 3000 solved problems in linear algebra, and read it. The chapter about set theory is especially satisfying, as is the one on the matrix of a linear transformation. Find other books that interest you and read the words. Learn whatever you want. Read about mental arithmetic, memory systems, logic, statistical programming, magic tricks, whatever you care about. You don’t have to read in order. Just open that thing, and read it. If you can’t figure out how this advise might help you, get a copy of How to Think like a Mathematician, by Kevin Houston, and read that. Do whatever you can to learn as much as you can. Also, Polya’s “How to Solve it” is a standard.</p>

<p>The bottom line: classes are there to test you, not to teach you.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Take 285 at OCC. </p>

<p>Don’t worry so much about getting most comprehensive education. In the end being a good programmer goes beyond school. It’s something you have to do in your free-time at home. It’s something that requires incredibly logical thinking, a type of think that you are born with and can’t cultivate through school. If you are good at it, you’ll be good at it and learn just as much, if not more in your free time.</p>

4

<p>Have you asked the instructor of G285 whether topics like eigenvalues are missing from the course, or just missing from the catalog description?</p>

<p>But I suggest just taking G285; if there are small bits of G235 and G282 that are missing, you should be able to self-study it if you are motivated.</p>

<p>Note also that the UCLA Math 33A course description includes eigenvalues and eigenvectors; since UCLA accepts GWC Math G285 to cover UCLA Math 33A and 33B, those topics should be included.</p>