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Help me figure out what math class to take next semester...

Random Variable

Random Variable

Lifer
I've taken three semesters of calculus, one semester of linear algebra, and one semester of ordinary differential equations. What should I take next? Another semester of linear algebra? Another semester of ordinary differential equations? Partial differential equations? Advanced single variable calculus? Something else?
 
are you in college?
3 semester of calc, 1 lin alg, 1 Diffeq. thats almost enough for a minor at my school.

id say you take partial Diff eqs

what exactly did you need to take 3 semesters of calc for?
 
Why don't you just ask an advisor?😕 We don't know your major, your college, your university, what classes you have to take...
 
"what exactly did you need to take 3 semesters of calc for?"

I needed the three semesters for general physics and analytical mechanics.
 
Originally posted by: TheEvil1
are you in college?
3 semester of calc, 1 lin alg, 1 Diffeq. thats almost enough for a minor at my school.

id say you take partial Diff eqs

what exactly did you need to take 3 semesters of calc for?
Click to expand...

depending on how many hours each, that would be considered a minor in most schools.
 
Originally posted by: Vespasian
"what exactly did you need to take 3 semesters of calc for?"

I needed the three semesters for general physics and analytical mechanics.
Click to expand...

so im guessing you takes calc 1,2,3 or something similar

thats what 3 semesters oc calc is here. calc 3 is mutlivariable calc
 
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I would suggest a course in numerical methods. Especially for solving differential equations.
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The catalog lists a computer programming course as a prerequisite.
Click to expand...

You could probably get it waived if you have any programming experience at all. Go talk to the prof and your advisor. What's your major?
 
Originally posted by: TheEvil1
Originally posted by: Vespasian
"what exactly did you need to take 3 semesters of calc for?"

I needed the three semesters for general physics and analytical mechanics.
Click to expand...

so im guessing you takes calc 1,2,3 or something similar

thats what 3 semesters oc calc is here. calc 3 is mutlivariable calc
Click to expand...
The last school I attended didn't offer anything past calculus III.
 
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I would suggest a course in numerical methods. Especially for solving differential equations.
Click to expand...
The catalog lists a computer programming course as a prerequisite.
Click to expand...

You could probably get it waived if you have any programming experience at all. Go talk to the prof and your advisor. What's your major?
Click to expand...
I don't have much programming experience at all. At the moment I'm a mathematics major, but that could change.
 
What are you majoring in? And what are your aspirations?

If you're in engineering/applied science, and you don't have grandiose plans of grad school, I second the suggestion of numerical methods. It'll give you some idea of how differential equations (which is what most physics equations are) are solved realistically.

If you're planning on grad school, I would highly suggest partial differential equations. Its the logical "next step"... and, as it turns out, a bit more practical than standard diff eqns. A STRONG grip on theory is essential before you commit to serious numerical solutions (which you'll address in grad school).

If you're in math, just take something fun... something that interests you.

Best of luck!
 
Originally posted by: HokieESM
What are you majoring in? And what are your aspirations?

If you're in engineering/applied science, and you don't have grandiose plans of grad school, I second the suggestion of numerical methods. It'll give you some idea of how differential equations (which is what most physics equations are) are solved realistically.

If you're planning on grad school, I would highly suggest partial differential equations. Its the logical "next step"... and, as it turns out, a bit more practical than standard diff eqns. A STRONG grip on theory is essential before you commit to serious numerical solutions (which you'll address in grad school).

If you're in math, just take something fun... something that interests you.

Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Would I have difficulty with partial differential equations if I've only had one semester of ODE?
 
It should be a logical extension..... check the prerequisites to be sure. Just like ODEs, PDEs aren't necessarily "solvable" in closed forms... so the ones that are, are usually well described (and surprisingly non-complex... depending on what you're used to). I didn't find it horribly difficult. If you like applications, see if there is an "Advanced Engineering Mathematics" course at your school--its essentially PDEs.... and you see how they fit into real-world applications (especially the heat and wave equations).
 
Originally posted by: HokieESM
It should be a logical extension..... check the prerequisites to be sure. Just like ODEs, PDEs aren't necessarily "solvable" in closed forms... so the ones that are, are usually well described (and surprisingly non-complex... depending on what you're used to). I didn't find it horribly difficult. If you like applications, see if there is an "Advanced Engineering Mathematics" course at your school--its essentially PDEs.... and you see how they fit into real-world applications (especially the heat and wave equations).
Click to expand...
I think I'm going to sign up for both partial differential eqations and advanced single-variable calculus. And if I find partial differential equations too difficult, I'll have a back-up.
 
It will really, really help if you have some basic programing skills, but look into Cryptography. Here it is CS440, but the only prereq was basic programing experiance, and recommended number theory... I took it and it was one of the most enjoyable course I had ever taken/

Oh, Iforgot to mention, I'm a CS/math major and had the exact same math courses under my belt as you when I took it
 
Originally posted by: stonecold3169
It will really, really help if you have some basic programing skills, but look into Cryptography. Here it is CS440, but the only prereq was basic programing experiance, and recommended number theory... I took it and it was one of the most enjoyable course I had ever taken/

Oh, Iforgot to mention, I'm a CS/math major and had the exact same math courses under my belt as you when I took it
Click to expand...
Yeah, my programming skills are lacking. 😱
 
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: stonecold3169
It will really, really help if you have some basic programing skills, but look into Cryptography. Here it is CS440, but the only prereq was basic programing experiance, and recommended number theory... I took it and it was one of the most enjoyable course I had ever taken/

Oh, Iforgot to mention, I'm a CS/math major and had the exact same math courses under my belt as you when I took it
Click to expand...
Yeah, my programming skills are lacking. 😱
Click to expand...

you can definitely take more calc: namely vector calc and complex variable calc. You could also try some Analysis if you're really into math. Taking another semester of linear is definitely a good idea.

So far, I'm in my 5th semester of Calc, 3rd of Linear, I've also taken one ODE class, and there are plenty more math classes (I think there are 4 analysis classes offered).
 
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: stonecold3169
It will really, really help if you have some basic programing skills, but look into Cryptography. Here it is CS440, but the only prereq was basic programing experiance, and recommended number theory... I took it and it was one of the most enjoyable course I had ever taken/

Oh, Iforgot to mention, I'm a CS/math major and had the exact same math courses under my belt as you when I took it
Click to expand...
Yeah, my programming skills are lacking. 😱
Click to expand...

you can definitely take more calc: namely vector calc and complex variable calc. You could also try some Analysis if you're really into math. Taking another semester of linear is definitely a good idea.

So far, I'm in my 5th semester of Calc, 3rd of Linear, I've also taken one ODE class, and there are plenty more math classes (I think there are 4 analysis classes offered).
Click to expand...
I don't believe that the school offers a class devoted to vector calculus. And you need advanced single and multivariable calculus before you can take complex variable calculus (which, BTW, sounds very intimidating).
 
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Originally posted by: Vespasian
Originally posted by: stonecold3169
It will really, really help if you have some basic programing skills, but look into Cryptography. Here it is CS440, but the only prereq was basic programing experiance, and recommended number theory... I took it and it was one of the most enjoyable course I had ever taken/

Oh, Iforgot to mention, I'm a CS/math major and had the exact same math courses under my belt as you when I took it
Click to expand...
Yeah, my programming skills are lacking. 😱
Click to expand...

you can definitely take more calc: namely vector calc and complex variable calc. You could also try some Analysis if you're really into math. Taking another semester of linear is definitely a good idea.

So far, I'm in my 5th semester of Calc, 3rd of Linear, I've also taken one ODE class, and there are plenty more math classes (I think there are 4 analysis classes offered).
Click to expand...
I don't believe that the school offers a class devoted to vector calculus. And you need advanced single and multivariable calculus before you can take complex variable calculus (which, BTW, sounds very intimidating).
Click to expand...

I'm sure there's a vector calculus class somewhere (it's called Adv. Calc here) you NEED vector calculus for engineering such as when electromagnetism is involved. I'm taking a complex variable calculus class this semester, and to be honest it's not that bad. It's by no means easy, but if you do your work you shouldn't have too much trouble following what the prof does. It's kind of a weird class because you get the feeling that for all your life you've only learned half of everything. Anyway, it is an interesting class and (again) it has numerous practical applications in engineering.
 
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