Math Courses...Which ones should I take

Ivysaur
Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:36:08 +0000

@ Krmh11, Plant Science is awesome! As for your math, it seems that you are quite capable, only the best and brightest math students take Calc BC. If you want a traditional pure math sequence, take Linear Algebra, then Multivariable Calculus. Mind you those are meant for math majors, but if you love math, they would be more interesting than the applied classes. On the other hand, Linear Algebra is really quite a boring subject when not learned in a theoretical way. So, you might want to consider doing what I have resolved to do: Calc II, followed by Calc III. Calc II will be some review, but will expose you to Cornell’s approach to mathematics (as opposed to high school math). Then you will definitely be prepared for Calc III, which is a fantastic class. It covers not only the calculus of multivariable functions (which is not a large extension from single variable, it just requires more of a 3 dimensional understanding and intuition; for example, picture a plane cutting through a parabola rotated about the y-axis, etc.), but also emphasizes differential equations and their application (so it’s like a slightly less specific combination of multivar and differential equations, which are math major classes). Then…after all that wonderful calculus, I suggest biostats! Hope this helps.