What are the prerequisites for taking Linear Algebra in college?

[Isaak DeMaio]

I am currently trying to figure out my Sophomore year first Semester schedule for college and I am stuck on taking Calc 1 during the summer, or teaching myself it to just take Calc 2 at my school or in the summer if I do teach myself it.
I major in Adolescent Mathematics Education and these are the required math classes I take:

Linear Algebra
Calc 1
Calc 2
Calc 3
Abstract Algebra
Differential Equations
Stats & Probability 1
Stats & Probability 2
Real Variables 3

I also need to take Principles of Physics 1 & 2

I am currently taking Discrete Math and Theory of Numbers (my favorite).
Basically I need help arranging my schedule. I want to know what math classes I can take without needing another class. Such as, can I take Linear before Calc 1, or Abstract Algebra before Calc 1. Obviously Calc 3 comes after Calc 2 and Calc 2 after Calc 1.

I may have the option of taking Calc 1 or 2 during the summer. I also have the option of taking Differential Equations, but I don't know if I need Calc for that.

In advance thanks for the help.

 

[eumyang]

I'd check your school's course catalog. If you look at the course descriptions, they usually list the prerequisites for each course. Off the top of my head:

Linear Algebra: you'll need Calc 2
Abstract Algebra: you'll need Linear Algebra and Calc 2
Differential Equations: you'll need Calc 2
Stats & Probability 1: depends. Some stat courses require calculus, and some don't.
Real Variables 3: is this Real Analysis? If so, you'll need Calc 3 and Linear Algebra. (and why Real Variables 3? Is there a 1 and 2?)

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

Linear Algebra: you need Calc 2

Mat 242 is Linear Algebra at my school. Calc 1 is Mat 251.
I would assume Calc is not needed for Linear, but I don't know hence I am asking. But I thought I would throw that out there.

 

[eumyang]

The order of the course numbers mean little. Or I should say, the order of the course numbers depend on the school. I know that at one school, with 3-digit course numbers, the first digit denotes the level (lower-division undergrad, upper-division undergrad, grad, etc.) and the 2nd digit is a subfield. That's just one example.

To assume that Calc is not needed for Linear would be wrong. Though I will say, some schools will let you take Linear Algebra after only Calc 1. Again, check your school's course catalog.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

To assume that Calc is not needed for Linear would be wrong. Though I will say, some schools will let you take Linear Algebra after only Calc 1. Again, check your school's course catalog.

Okay...
When college advisors are often useless, this when I come here when people in the field of Science and Math have more concrete proof.
Second, a course catalog at our school doesn't help much. But it does say you do not need any Calc for it.

 

[niklaus]

Of course I have no idea what the courses actually cover, but I think it would be unusual for linear algebra to require calculus as a prerequisite. In my two semesters of linear algebra, I only remember using calc in some examples, for example using an integral as the scalar product on a vector space of functions. But the core theory of linear algebra seems almost completely independent of calculus to me.

Differential equations, on the other hand makes little sense if you don't know calculus, and linear algebra will help too.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

Of course I have no idea what the courses actually cover, but I think it would be unusual for linear algebra to require calculus as a prerequisite. In my two semesters of linear algebra, I only remember using calc in some examples, for example using an integral as the scalar product on a vector space of functions. But the core theory of linear algebra seems almost completely independent of calculus to me.

Differential equations, on the other hand makes little sense if you don't know calculus, and linear algebra will help too.

THANK YOU!
For Differential Equations what would you suggest as the prerequisite?

 

[eumyang]

Of course I have no idea what the courses actually cover, but I think it would be unusual for linear algebra to require calculus as a prerequisite.

All I can say is, of all of the college catalogs I've looked at (and believe me, I've looked at many), I can't remember one where a Linear Algebra course did not require at least Calculus I as a prerequisite. Some require Calculus I only, others require Calculus II. MIT requires Multivariable Calc (18.06 has 18.02 as a prerequisite).

 

[niklaus]

All I can say is, of all of the college catalogs I've looked at (and believe me, I've looked at many), I can't remember one where a Linear Algebra course did not require at least Calculus I as a prerequisite. Some require Calculus I only, others require Calculus II. MIT requires Multivariable Calc (18.06 has 18.02 as a prerequisite).

Interesting... I really can't think of a reason to require that from a content point of view, except maybe as a "mathematical maturity" kind of thing. If the OP's school doesn't have it as a prereq I don't see why he should take Calc first, especially as he seems to be doing ok in number theory.

THANK YOU!
For Differential Equations what would you suggest as the prerequisite?

Calc 3 you can probably do without for d.e., I'd say with Calc 1 and 2 and linear algebra you should be fine.

 

[eumyang]

Okay...
When college advisors are often useless, this when I come here when people in the field of Science and Math have more concrete proof.
Second, a course catalog at our school doesn't help much. But it does say you do not need any Calc for it.

Now I would like someone with plausible intellectual foundation on this matter to tell me the best order to take these classes.

Well, I'm a HS math teacher, having majored in Math in college. I also act as a counselor of sorts to a number of students at my school, which requires me to keep abreast of college entrance requirements, and to look at many college course catalogs. So I think I know a thing or two about math courses and their prerequisites.

If your course catalog "doesn't help much," as you said, have you considered contacting someone in the mathematics department at your school? I would take what anyone there would say over what anyone here would say (including myself; no offense intended to the other members of PF). As I've mentioned, different schools have slightly different prerequisites. As another example, I said that Diff. Eq. requires Calc 2 as a prerequisite, but I just looked at my alma mater's catalog and found that they list Calc 3 as a prerequisite.

In any event, it looks like you are not interested in what I've said, so I'll refrain from posting in this thread from now on if you wish.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

If the OP's school doesn't have it as a prereq I don't see why he should take Calc first, especially as he seems to be doing ok in number theory.
.

There are 10 people in my class for # Theory. Aside from a kid who barely passed it last year, I'm one of the best in that class. I do remember the teacher saying, "I wish you guys had taken discrete before taking this class." But 7 of the 10 of us have Discrete in the morning and Theory in the afternoon. I really do enjoy the class. It is tough with a bunch of variables and proofs, but once I understand the shenanigans I feel like it is Christmas.

Maybe I could take Linear and Calc 1 together?

 

[Ryker]

Okay...
When college advisors are often useless, this when I come here when people in the field of Science and Math have more concrete proof.
Second, a course catalog at our school doesn't help much. But it does say you do not need any Calc for it.

Of course I have no idea what the courses actually cover, but I think it would be unusual for linear algebra to require calculus as a prerequisite. In my two semesters of linear algebra, I only remember using calc in some examples, for example using an integral as the scalar product on a vector space of functions. But the core theory of linear algebra seems almost completely independent of calculus to me.

Differential equations, on the other hand makes little sense if you don't know calculus, and linear algebra will help too.

I agree, at my school Linear Algebra does not require Calculus I, and I was taking both in my first semester concurrently. I also don't think our Linear Algebra course was watered down for that purpose, and I see no real need for Calculus I or II prior to taking it. So if your school doesn't list Calc as a pre-requisite, you don't need it.

In any event, it looks like you are not interested in what I've said, so I'll refrain from posting in this thread from now on if you wish.

To me, it seems he is interested in what you say, but just because he actually thinks about what you're saying (oh my, anything but that!) and whether it makes sense in his specific case doesn't mean you need to get offended like a kid would.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

ave you considered contacting someone in the mathematics department at your school? I would take what anyone there would say over what anyone here would say

No... this is how you get ahead of the advisors.

 

[snipez90]

There is absolutely no reason why calculus I would be a prerequisite for linear algebra. Understanding linear algebra certainly clarifies differentiation theory, but this is usually understood within the context of multivariable calculus.

Taking calculus and linear algebra at the same time is fine.

 

[yeongil]

have you considered contacting someone in the mathematics department at your school? I would take what anyone there would say over what anyone here would say

No... this is how you get ahead of the advisors.

This makes absolutely no sense.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

This makes absolutely no sense.

Advisors want you to take courses you don't need , usually, so the college can get money that you shouldn't spend.

 

[Ryker]

That's not true at all, unless you stumble upon a rotten egg one. It is in their best interest, as well, that the advice they've given out has lead a student down a successful path.

 

[Isaak DeMaio]

That's not true at all, unless you stumble upon a rotten egg one. It is in their best interest, as well, that the advice they've given out has lead a student down a successful path.

Mine is terrible.

 

[romsofia]

The reason why linear algebra is after calc 2 is because after calc 2 you would usually take calc 3 and a DE course and linear algebra and DE work well with each other. You don't NEED calculus for linear algebra, but it would be better to take DE and linear algebra together as opposed to calc 1 and linear algebra.

 

[Rebooter]

All I can say is, of all of the college catalogs I've looked at (and believe me, I've looked at many), I can't remember one where a Linear Algebra course did not require at least Calculus I as a prerequisite. Some require Calculus I only, others require Calculus II. MIT requires Multivariable Calc (18.06 has 18.02 as a prerequisite).

If you haven't checked into it, MIT has one of the only real linear algebra classes out of all US colleges.

Strang and his influence there, coupled with it being a real school, is the only reason they require those prereqs (they cover about 2 times as much material as say, OSU would in a the same semester).

Just look at some of MIT's first exams of the semester in that class... it's material most state schools get to right before finals.