<p>I have just got in Stanford and want to study engineering. I have looked through the course book for a while. For engineering, I think I can choose Math for engineering(cme or something), math 5… series, and math 5…honor couses. What’re the differences and advantages in taking these 3 different kinds of courses.
thank you.</p>
<p>go to math.stanford.edu and see if you can find out there. my comp’s adobe pdf reader is messed up so i couldn’t open the course descriptions. you could also call their office.</p>
<p>I believe the 5 series is multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. I think the main difference between the regular 5 series and the honors series is that the honors series has more theoretical stuff. I don’t know anything about CME.</p>
<p>I’m probably going to study electrical engineering, and I plan to take the honors series.</p>
<p>The regular 50 series is somewhat dull and not terribly difficult for most students I knew who took it who were also physics majors. By the end of the year you’ll be able to solve intergrals and solve differential equations. Although we don’t do a lot of applied stuff in the class, you’ll be very comfortable with the mathematical tools. There isn’t really a lot of theoretical background. The honors series is VERY different from the regular series. Most people on the honors track are math majors. It is centered around proofs. At the end of the year you may or may not know how to actually take integrals or solve a differential equation. It is much more difficult than the normal 50 series. Just because you meet the requirements to take it (I think a 5 on the BC Calc test) does not mean that you actually should take it. If you love proofs or really want to learn how to do proofs, then it might be the right class for you. CME is a lot of work. There is a lot more application than in the normal 50 series and a lot of work on matlab. Some students said there was as much as 20 hours of work/week for CME. CME really caters to students who want to be engineers. Most people do very well in the class.</p>
<p>Ok I have a question: Are we supposed to arrive to Stanford with all this in mind? I mean should I research and try to figure out which courses to take?? I was just assuming I’d discuss it with my counselor after I get there and that I won’t really need to worry about it till then.</p>
<p>You will meet with an advisor when you get to campus so you could talk to him/her about it. You could also ask your RAs or peer mentor or ask if they had friends who took the classes you want to take (that will probably work better with 50 series math than, say, IHUM). You could also shop both classes for the first week or two and see which one fits your interest and ability. You don’t have to think about any of this yet, but it doesn’t hurt to have a sense what you want to take when you get to campus. </p>
<p>Just fyi, I have some friends who felt like they were placed in the wrong math course by their advisors. I don’t think I’ve heard that problem for any other department interestingly enough. It might be worth it to try to gather info on whatever math courses you are considering if nothing else.</p>
<p>Here’s what it says in the handbook for undergraduate engineering programs:
</p>
<p>for those of you NOT worrying about all this yet…you’re not the only one i guarantee you. i didn’t know what the hell i was taking until the week i was shopping classes. </p>
<p>and as far as advisors go…mine was worthless as crap on a stick. hopefully it doesn’t happen to you.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your advices.</p>