Math 114 vs Math 240 in Fall 2014

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
13

<p>"@Much2learn did your D take the incoming freshman math diagnostic test yet? I’m hoping that will make things clearer for my S as well, as to initial math placement. He is also a CS major. Is the diagnostic test new for this year? I don’t remember my D having to take it a couple of years ago."</p>

<p>Reply
Yes, she scored just above average on the diagnostic. She felt that she did not do as well as she might have because the test covered single variable calc, pre-calc, and advanced algebra, but had no questions about the multi-variable calc that she learned this year. </p>

<p>I am trying to understand the Penn math sequence. The course descriptions did not clear it up entirely. </p>

<p>My understanding of the typical basic math sequence is:

  1. Single variable calculus A one year B/C calculus AP course in HS or a one-semester college course
  2. Multi-variable calculus A one year Honors course in HS or a one-semester college course
  3. Students would then take a course in Differential Equations and a separate course in Linear Algebra, in either order.</p>

<p>I think that translating Penn math speak to in my framework:

  1. Math 114 is an introduction to multi-variable calculus and differential equations
  2. Math 240 is the second half of multi-variable calculus and differential equations
  3. Math 312 is Linear Algebra
  4. There is no stand alone Differential Equations class.</p>

<p>Is that correct?</p>

<p>It sounds like, theoretically, could be feasible for DD to begin with any of these three courses. Ideally, I might suggest that she back up and work through all of these course in sequence, to enhance her depth of knowledge in these subjects before moving on. However, my impression from the comments in this thread is that these courses are very poorly taught, frustrating classes, with large amounts of homework, and the further back you go, the more frustrating and poorly taught they are. Therefore, backing up with the intent of building a strong mathematical foundation, may have the unintended effect of causing frustration and a dislike for a subject that she currently likes. </p>

<p>Is that accurate?</p>