Should science majors study Apostol?

Beliavsky
Mon, 26 Nov 2012 08:43:53 +0000

Cal Tech’s Math 1a uses Apostol’s Calculus as a textbook. It could be described as a “real analysis” course. At other universities, physicists and engineers who came in with a 5 in AP Calculus BC would probably start with computationally-oriented multivariable calculus and linear algebra courses. I wonder if Cal Tech physics and engineering majors think Math 1a served them or well or if the mathematical rigor was not necessary for them.