Math 1A / 1B - Should I even take?

ucbalumnus
Fri, 25 May 2012 20:14:32 +0000

The http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-berkeley/1305840-freshman-math-faq.html contains links to old Math 1A and 1B final exams that you can check to see how your calculus knowledge stacks up.

Math 53 = multivariable calculus, so you may want to check the Math 53 final exams to see how your knowledge of that stacks up. If you skip 1A and 1B, but are unsure of whether to skip 53, you can defer the decision by taking 54 or H54 (but self-study the introductory differential equations material from 1B if it was not included in your calculus courses). However, Economics 101A (but not 101B) lists Math 53 as a prerequisite, so if you are not confident in your multivariable calculus knowledge, make sure to take Math 53 before Economics 101A.

The economics major allows you to skip Economics 1 if you have a 4 or 5 in both AP economics tests. The Economics 101-series is more appropriate than the 100-series for a student who likes math and is good at it. The [lecture notes for the first 101A lecture](Econ 101A, Microeconomic Theory) gives an idea of what math background is expected.

An economics major who wants to do it with more math or statistics may want to skip Statistics 20 or 21 and go directly to 134 (which is also required for the statistics major; 20 and/or 21 are not needed for upper division statistics courses). AP statistics credit is not useful for the economics, math, or statistics majors.

Suggested candidate courses (choose four of them, and keep some in your “back pocket” in case of classes being full when you register), assuming you can skip Math 1A, 1B, 53 after reviewing their old final exams:

Math 54 or H54
Math 55 (for math major)
Statistics 134 (for economics and statistics majors)
Economics 1 (if <4 on AP) or 101A or 101B (for economics major)
R&C B
L&S breadth (AL, BS, and PS are the ones not satisfiable by your intended majors; SBS is automatic from economics courses; HS, IS, and PV may be satisfied by optional economics and/or math courses; AC can double up on these)