Should I take algebra?

[CalifornianMD]

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Hi guys,

I'm going into my second year of a DIY post-bacc and hope to take Calculus I, I took business calc several years ago and didn't do very well (C+) I already have tons of statistics credits though.

I currently have a 3.1 sGPA with an upward trend.

Went from C in phys I algebra based to B+ in phys II
went from B in gen chem I to A in Gen Chem II
Went from C in Gen bio I 6 years ago to A this past year


This semester I am taking:
Organic Chem I
Genetics
Cell Bio
1 credit of research


I am debating taking algebra then trig next semester to prepare for calc, should I?

 

[avgn]

Algebra and trig are not college level courses, I'd be careful of taking them lest someone think you're trying to pad your GPA. But you're correct in that you should take them if your fundamentals are shaky and you do want to prepare for calc. Calc is pretty useless though, I'd try to do more statistics instead.

 

[efle]

Trig won't be necessary for calc, algebra will

 

[avgn]

Trig won't be necessary for calc, algebra will

Yah but familiarity with trig functions is assumed. If you blank on a problem that says to find the derivative of sin because you don't know what that means, that's bad. Lol

 

[Doudline]

Trig won't be necessary for calc, algebra will

Ya... I definitely wouldn't take calculus without knowing trig.

 

[Gurby]

I think someone capable of getting A's in other pre-med courses should be capable of self-teaching trig and pre-calc using Khan Academy, etc. But if you really feel like you gotta take them, then take them...

 

[efle]

When on earth do you guys use trig in calc? Derivatives of trig functions are things to be memorized like formulas. You don't do a whole lot of solving for angles in similar triangles and such in Calc where I'm from...

 

[avgn]

When on earth do you guys use trig in calc? Derivatives of trig functions are things to be memorized like formulas. You don't do a whole lot of solving for angles in similar triangles and such in Calc where I'm from...

I agree. You don't need a full course. Familiarity is enough.

 

[Lawpy]

When on earth do you guys use trig in calc? Derivatives of trig functions are things to be memorized like formulas. You don't do a whole lot of solving for angles in similar triangles and such in Calc where I'm from...

I agree. You don't need a full course. Familiarity is enough.

Trig is necessary to solve some complex integrations involving radical functions, as well as solving some related rates problems. However, an entire course on algebra and trig is a waste of time, since they can be self-taught very very easily. As mentioned previously, Khan Academy is a good source.

 

[leonardoson]

Algebra and trig are not college level courses, I'd be careful of taking them lest someone think you're trying to pad your GPA. But you're correct in that you should take them if your fundamentals are shaky and you do want to prepare for calc. Calc is pretty useless though, I'd try to do more statistics instead.

yes they are. there's college level algebra and trig (pre-calc) both 100 level

 

[avgn]

yes they are. there's college level algebra and trig (pre-calc) both 100 level

I meant traditionally they're more commonly high school classes.

 

[leonardoson]

That's true.