Math geeks, I need help with my college schedule

[Schadenfroh]

USM shows no prereq for this class and I need it for other math classes that I need for Comp Sci.

Anyone that has had Linear Algebra at their universities can comment if it is a bad idea to take this class if all you have had is College Trig, College Algebra, and Calc I? I will probably be taking Calc II at the same time and I have heard that this class is the Organic Chem. of math classes. Was also looking at the one below it, also has no prereq:

MAT 326 Linear Algebra I (3)
Vector spaces, systems of linear equations, linear transformations, matrices, and inner products.

MAT 340 Discrete Mathematics (3)
Logic, set theory, and selected topics from algebra, combinatorics, and graph theory.

 

[JohnCU]

calc II is a breeze, it's just integrals. linear algebra isn't too hard, i didn't take it but i wish i had because it teaches you how to work with matrices i believe. you shouldn't have a prob.

 

[Heisenberg]

You should be fine taking linear algebra if you've had calc 1. Of all the math classes I've taken, I thought it was the easiest.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Thanks guys, going to talk with my prof tomorrow and get his input as well. You a math major Heisen?

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Thanks guys, going to talk with my prof tomorrow and get his input as well. You a math major Heisen?

Nope, I got my B.S. in physics. I got a math minor though just because we were required to take that much math.

 

[Random Variable]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You should be fine taking linear algebra if you've had calc 1. Of all the math classes I've taken, I thought it was the easiest.

It's "easy" if topics like LU factorization, QR factorization, and single-value decomposition aren't covered. But those topics are generally covered in a numerical linear algebra class anyways.

 

[hypn0tik]

You should be fine.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Random Variable

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You should be fine taking linear algebra if you've had calc 1. Of all the math classes I've taken, I thought it was the easiest.

It's "easy" if topics like LU factorization, QR factorization, and single-value decomposition aren't covered. But those topics are generally covered in a numerical linear algebra class anyways.

Think that stuff is in part deus?

MAT 426 Linear Algebra II (3)
Determinants; polynomials; complex numbers; single linear transformations; orthogonal, unitary and symmetric linear transformations. Prerequisite: MAT 326 and 340.

 

[SpecialEd]

having taken multivariable calculus (calc 3 at most schools) can ease the transition to dealing with vector spaces in linear algebra.

There is a chance your instructor may assume most students have taken at least through calc 3 and not give a proper introduction to those concepts.

 

[hypn0tik]

426 seems fairly easy as well.

I don't know though. We covered all that algebra in a first year course. Seemed fairly easy to me.

 

[jman19]

Linear can either be easy (computation based) or tough (heavily proof based). I had to deal with the latter...

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: SpecialEd
having taken multivariable calculus (calc 3 at most schools) can ease the transition to dealing with vector spaces in linear algebra.

That is odd, I just noticed that it says the coreq is Calc. II. I wonder why they want it to be taken at the same time as calc II

3 hrs. Corequisite: MAT 168 or 179. Vector spaces, systems of linear equations, linear transformations, matrices, and inner products.

must be a typo

 

[SpecialEd]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

Originally posted by: SpecialEd
having taken multivariable calculus (calc 3 at most schools) can ease the transition to dealing with vector spaces in linear algebra.

That is odd, I just noticed that it says the coreq is Calc. II. I wonder why they want it to be taken at the same time as calc II

must be a typo

every school structures their program differently. Its possible at USM they like to introduce vector spaces in Linear algebra. I first saw them in Calc 3. The way these two courses use these ideas is different, so it should not matter where you learn it first. Thats assuming your math dept knows what its doing .

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: Random Variable

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You should be fine taking linear algebra if you've had calc 1. Of all the math classes I've taken, I thought it was the easiest.

It's "easy" if topics like LU factorization, QR factorization, and single-value decomposition aren't covered. But those topics are generally covered in a numerical linear algebra class anyways.

your sig frightens me......scary memories of modern physics.

I loved linear algebra. It was one of the easiest math classes I have taken and it was fairly interesting too.

I took it right after calc1 wile I was taking calc2 and had zero problems with it.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: Random Variable

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
You should be fine taking linear algebra if you've had calc 1. Of all the math classes I've taken, I thought it was the easiest.

It's "easy" if topics like LU factorization, QR factorization, and single-value decomposition aren't covered. But those topics are generally covered in a numerical linear algebra class anyways.

your sig frightens me......scary memories of modern physics.

I loved linear algebra. It was one of the easiest math classes I have taken and it was fairly interesting too.

I took it right after calc1 wile I was taking calc2 and had zero problems with it.

Excellent, this makes me feel a good deal better about taking both at the same time while trying to learn C++.