Online Math Courses

[onisteverina]

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Hey all. I had a question about online math courses.. The school that I'm currently accepted to will take pre-calculus, but a school that I'm interested in and currently waitlisted at will need the calculus course.

Some background..I haven't taken an official math class since high school (10 years ago- took algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and trig.. from what I recall), and I am now needing to decide between taking pre-calculus or calculus online. I have taken stats during undergrad.. along with a year of physics which uses math concepts.. along with kind of brushing up on math for the GRE, but I'm worried about taking calculus after such a long time away from a official math course. I also haven't taken any online courses, so I'm new to that area as well.

I guess my question is.. with my lack of a math background (and significant time away), would it be risky to jump into calculus.. especially with it being an online course? Also, do people generally find online math courses to be easier, more difficult, or does it just really depend on the person?

In standard lecture course I will go to class but end up having to review material on my own to really absorb material, so I'm wondering if an online course may just be fine?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TheComfyCat]

To succeed in calculus, you really need to be strong in algebra and trigonometry (and understanding graphs/graphing is really helpful, too... like looking at an equation and having a general idea of what the graph would look like). Pre-calculus would help you review the topics you might have forgotten, which should help you keep up with the material in calculus.

 

[equineconstant]

I personally found calculus easier than other math courses, but admittedly I had a very good buildup of concepts and never had more than a couple years between math classes. Was your physics class calculus based, or do you have any background in calculus? Do you feel like your basic math skills are strong? If you feel up to the calculus class, go for it! If you're happy enough going to the school where pre-calculus will fill the requirement, there's no need to stress yourself out pushing for calculus. You've already been accepted; is it worth it to you to take the more difficult class just in case you get off the waitlist?

 

[pp9]

I am fairly decent at math and aced PRE-calc. I can't tell you anything about a general calc course. However, I have taken trig online. My biggest hurdle was how long it took to turn in my homework. With figuring out the online interface, taking the time to draw our shapes and format equations, it was quite time consuming. Granted, you are not dealing with quite the same material in calc and I have no idea what your online course would be like. If you are good in math and self-motivated, I don't see the issue. If I remember right, my pre-calc class was kind of like learning a new language. It wasn't as closely knit with general algebra as geometry + trigonometry are.

You've already been accepted; is it worth it to you to take the more difficult class just in case you get off the waitlist?

This! I get that you don't exactly have any idea of if/when you'd be accepted off a waitlist. But you have been accepted as you pointed out. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want a break from school before the next grueling four years. I also see that you'd want to be able to attend that school should they end up accepting you. That's a tough choice that only you can make, regardless of what advice we give you about calculus 🙂

 

[onisteverina]

Thanks for all of your input. I have a lot to think about in the next few days. My main push toward calculus/being eligible for the waitlisted school is that it is significantly cheaper than the one I have been accepted to. There is another school that is right in the middle in regards to cost and that I'm also waitlisted there.. and that school doesn't need either math class... Man o man.. I feel like the queen of waitlists... All that waiting just to wait some more.😕