Is taking Calculus during summer school crazy?

[jds2006]

I want to transfer to a different college as quickly as I can, but I have to take all of the prerequisite courses for my major before I apply. I have to take 3 semesters of calculus, 1 semester of linear algebra, and 1 semester of differential equations to get into a UC as a statistics major. So I'm thinking about taking the first semester of calculus next semester, the second calc class over the summer, the last calc class next fall, and take linear algebra and differential equations during the spring of '08. If I don't take calculus over the summer, I'll have to wait an extra year to transfer because it'll take me one or two more semesters to finish the prerequisites.

So that leads me to this: Is taking a semester's worth of calculus in a 6-week summer class do-able? And is it possible to get an A and still fully understand a Calculus class in only 6 weeks?

 

[EvilYoda]

Calculus will be fine...but depending on your school/profs, linear algebra and diffEq in the same semester is what worries me more.

 

[George P Burdell]

6 weeks = short semester course?

If it's the only course you're taking that semester, it's perfectly doable.

Otherwise, just haul a$$ and do it anyway. It's just calculus.

 

[TecHNooB]

Yes, it's possible to learn it in 6 weeks. You just need to be exposed to the material very often. It would help if someone who knew the material could sit down with you and answer your questions on the fly. That's the fastest way to learn.

 

[BigJ]

Calc II in a summer is fine.

Linear Algebra and DiffEq should be good as long as you're not piling on any other math or engineering type courses with it.

Also, if you don't think you'll be ready for it, get the book ahead of time, or get the AP Calculus BC review book and try to learn the material in there. It's really not THAT hard to pick up if you have a strong foundation and do well in Calc I.

 

[Riverhound777]

Possible, but it would really suck. I took Calc 2 my very first semester of college in the Fall. It was a 5 unit class, 1 hour a day, 5 days a week. I got a C+ in it, the lowest grade in my college career. Taking that in 6 weeks... I would have died. Though without any other classes it might be easier, who knows.

How good are you at math?

 

[LS20]

doable... prob is there'll be a buttload of homework if you can handle that.

 

[cheapgoose]

cakc is not that hard, summer's fine.

 

[interchange]

I took Calc III, Physics II, and DSP over the summer, so I'm sure it's no big deal if you learn fast. IMO, no calc. is an incredible amount of actual material.

 

[broon]

Summer classes are those that you take that you don't care about the subject. Those that are electives. Those that aren't important if you don't get an A.

 

[Crono]

It's definitely doable. I recommend using this book and this site; both are really good works by the same guy, and can explain (basic) Calculus I principles and methods in a way that is easy to understand. Calc textbooks (actually, math texts in general) can be hard to understand in general, so supplementary learning material or knowing someone who can teach well is always a must if you aren't mathematically gifted.

Also, because of the compressed nature of summer classes, understanding material gone over in every single class is important, so I would study a LOT after each class (with friends, if it helps) just to make sure I stay on top and don't get behind.

 

[imported_hscorpio]

Sure, just watch Stand and Deliver for motivation.
--"What's calcoolus?"

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: hscorpio
Sure, just watch Stand and Deliver for motivation.
--"What's calcoolus?"

My calc "teacher" pronounced it like that.

 

[j00fek]

any summer school is crazy

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: hscorpio
Sure, just watch Stand and Deliver for motivation.
--"What's calcoolus?"

Damn, beaten like a rented mule....

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: broon
Summer classes are those that you take that you don't care about the subject. Those that are electives. Those that aren't important if you don't get an A.

In my school, summer classes are those courses that are typically harder in your major. The teachers grade much easier, resulting in higher grades across the board.

 

[marulee]

Good Luck!

 

[Syringer]

I did Calc in a summer, wasn't bad at all.

Then in the fall I did Calc II/Discrete math, and in spring I did Calc III/Diff Eq.