Jump from AP Calculus BC to Linear Algebra

perfectjfl2
Wed, 16 Jul 2014 17:14:09 +0000

I’m going to Stony Brook as a computer science major and a business management minor this fall.
For my CS math requirement, I have to take calc 1, calc 2, and one of three: introduction to linear algebra, applied linear algebra, and numerical analysis. Since I got a 5 on AP Calculus BC (5 on AB sub-score as well), calc 1 and calc 2 are out of my way immediately. I can start taking calc 3 in the first semester if I want, but the school doesn’t require me to take it. Now, the prerequisite for introduction to linear algebra and applied linear algebra is to finish calc 1 and calc 2 first, in which I did by taking the AP. My question is, will I have a difficult time grasping the concept of linear algebra if I skipped calc 3? I just felt like that there is a HUGE jump between AP Calculus BC (which is taught in high schools) to linear algebra (which is usually what most people take as a 2nd or 3th year college math). Additionally, with the exception to limit, derivative, and integral, I have forgot most of the calc 2 (BC) materials, such as Taylor function, Lagrange error bound, polar/parametric equations, and those god-hating series tests. Do I have to deal with these concepts if I take linear algebra?
Finally, would you guys recommend me taking linear algebra in the first semester of college? If not, what should I take? I heard that a lot of people are retaking calc 2 even if they passed the AP. Would that be necessary for a CS major? Also, I’d really appreciate it if anyone can explain to me a little bit about linear algebra! I learned about some basic matrices (ex: Gauss-Jordan elimination) in precalc. Is that what you’re doing all day? If not, please elaborate a little bit.