Calculus

[RackingHorse]

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Since I have decided to transfer to UT this coming spring, I have found out that I am going to have to take calculus. I stink at math, so I am really worried about this. What kind of experiences have you all had with this class?

 

[deleted387118]

Since I have decided to transfer to UT this coming spring, I have found out that I am going to have to take calculus. I stink at math, so I am really worried about this. What kind of experiences have you all had with this class?

I had to take Calc I and Calc II and I found both were very teacher dependent. Don't be afraid to switch teachers if you find one you understand better. Utilize any tutoring services early and often if you are struggling, even with just one concept. Calc, like any math, builds on itself and if you miss something early you'll have a harder time later in the semester. If there is optional homework or problems, do them - repetition is key to recognizing patterns about how to do problems.

Good luck!

 

[PetPony]

I'm struggling through calc right now. If you know you're bad at it, get a tutor from the beginning on to go over every concept again and to strengthen what you already understand.

 

[Bisbee]

I recommend taking pre-calc first to ramp up to calc. If you've already taken pre-calc, just settle in with the book over your break and go through the chapters and work the problems until you really understand them. Then when you get into your calc class you'll be all ready to hit the ground running.

 

[SocialStigma]

I took 1st year calc and it was pretty much a repeat/an extension of grade 12 calculus. If you've taken calc in high school then it shouldn't be too much of a challenge.

 

[orca2011]

I took Honors Calc (was told it was basically AP w/out the test) in high school and was pretty much a C student. I had to take it again in college for my degree and ended up doing a lot better in the class. I often asked the teacher questions outside of class and worked with a friend on the homework assignments together, so we could help each other out if one of us didn't understand a particular problem. I would definitely recommend doing both of those things and getting a tutor right away if you're finding difficulty. Also, Calculus is a different type of math so maybe it will make more sense to you than other stuff.

 

[skittles12]

Have you asked about the Math 151-152 series? It's math for the life sciences--with precalculus as a prerequisite. I took those two classes and did pretty well, and I hate math. I'm pretty sure that they offer tutors for the calculus classes. Also, you can look at the website below and see how professors have been evaluated in the past. For basic classes such as calculus, the teacher often really does make the difference!

https://web.dii.utk.edu/tn101online/

 

[RackingHorse]

Have you asked about the Math 151-152 series? It's math for the life sciences--with precalculus as a prerequisite. I took those two classes and did pretty well, and I hate math. I'm pretty sure that they offer tutors for the calculus classes. Also, you can look at the website below and see how professors have been evaluated in the past. For basic classes such as calculus, the teacher often really does make the difference!

https://web.dii.utk.edu/tn101online/

Good to hear from someone at UT! I have thought about taking the class that you mentioned. Also, I am considering just taking the Basic Calculus class. The pre-req to get into physics is apparently any calculus class according to the website. So, I am assuming Basic Calculus will count as a pre-req for physics?

Also, how do you read the statistics for the professors on that website? I think I am reading it right but not quiet sure.

 

[jsp132]

this was my first time taking calculus

but my second time taking the same teacher so i knew his teaching style

I pretty much took what everyone else said, do problems ad naseum until you understand the concepts

seriously I had like 80 problems or more a week to do

but also it probably is very teacher dependent, my teacher took the time to explain concepts unlike other teachers who will just blow through material with not much explanation

I also watched khan academy videos on youtube if I didn't understand a concept fully, watching and learning helped me absorb more

overall I did fairly well

just work hard at it its not the horror story that most people put it out to be

 

[PppermintTwist]

Since I have decided to transfer to UT this coming spring, I have found out that I am going to have to take calculus. I stink at math, so I am really worried about this. What kind of experiences have you all had with this class?

I was never very good in math in high school so even though I had taken pre-cal in high school I took it again once I got to college. My college professor was the best! Her teaching style really helped me understand math a lot better and do well in pre-cal and then in calculus. So I'd say it depends somewhat on the teacher you have.

 

[skittles12]

Good to hear from someone at UT! I have thought about taking the class that you mentioned. Also, I am considering just taking the Basic Calculus class. The pre-req to get into physics is apparently any calculus class according to the website. So, I am assuming Basic Calculus will count as a pre-req for physics?

Also, how do you read the statistics for the professors on that website? I think I am reading it right but not quiet sure.

The abbreviations at the top are E = excellent, VG = very good, G = good, etc. The percentage below that is the percent of students who responded with that answer. Example: 5% of students rated the course as a whole as excellent. The letter grades below the columns are what the students expected to receive, e.g. 10% expected an A.

Basic calculus will count for the physics requirement, as will the math for the life sciences classes. But I have heard that it is much easier to take physics elsewhere!

 

[RackingHorse]

The abbreviations at the top are E = excellent, VG = very good, G = good, etc. The percentage below that is the percent of students who responded with that answer. Example: 5% of students rated the course as a whole as excellent. The letter grades below the columns are what the students expected to receive, e.g. 10% expected an A.

Basic calculus will count for the physics requirement, as will the math for the life sciences classes. But I have heard that it is much easier to take physics elsewhere!

Where is somewhere close around Knoxville where you could take physics? Give me all the inside information you can about coming to UT lol.

 

[gina85]

i saw this thread and just had to comment. i'm in calc I right now, and we are doing limits, and all i can think of in class is "mean girls" and her talking about aaron's hair and then how the limit does not exist.

haha!!

but i seriously hate calc.

 

[skittles12]

Where is somewhere close around Knoxville where you could take physics? Give me all the inside information you can about coming to UT lol.

I know several people who have taken it at Pellissippi State, which has locations around Knoxville. Physics 2010 and 2020 count for Physics 221 and 222 at UT, which is what you would have to take. I'm not sure when it is offered though. A lot of people use Pellissippi for organic too, if you still need to take that.

Personally, I took Physics 221-222 at UT and did fine. But maybe that's just my awesome guessing skills?
I would recommend taking your math classes before Physics though (not sure if that is a requirement). Especially if you get a teacher like I did who doesn't let you use your calculator on the exams.

 

[CurrySpice]

Practice problems!

The biggest caus of bad grades in my calc class was from students who thought the homework was so easy they didn't need to study. Bad idea! The homework was designed to reinforce the very basic ideas, but the exams were written to challenge you into combining everything to solve more difficult problems. Anyway, those students who did more practice problems tended to be able to ace the exams better than those whojust stopped after the homework.

 

[RackingHorse]

I talked with an advisor. Basic calculus can be used as a pre-req for physics. So, maybe it won't be as bad as regular calculus. Lol