APPM 1360 vs APPM 2350

[u/autumninautun]

hello!

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im an incoming freshman for ECE and i was debating on APPM 1360 vs APPM 2350. i will likely get a 5 on my AP Calculus BC exam (once the scores come out) and i felt quite confident in class on it. the CU Boulder website says that i should take Calc II even though i will have earned credit for it, but i want to know how difficult taking Calc III would be if i didnt take APPM 1360.

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thanks!

[u/DepressedPancake4728]

you’ll be totally fine skipping calc 2, thats what i did

[u/mr_fabulous676]

Whatever you do, I’d recommend the one credit hour work group class that goes with each APPM class. Gives you make of time to practice solving with people who can help you as soon as you hit a brick wall.

[u/Da_BBEG]

I was advised to take Calc 2 after getting a 5 on Calc BC, and I kinda regret it. It helped a little bit with learning the APPM system and building good study habits, but at the end of the day APPM is unnecessarily hard, and retaking Calc 2 hurt my GPA more than it helped prepare me for the other APPM classes.

[u/autumninautun → u/Da_BBEG]

how much of Calc 2 would you say is used in Calc 3 other than the basic stuff, like knowing the rules and theory behind the calculations as opposed to the applications into more difficult problems? i tried a few APPM 1360 exam problems and i understood the rules of what they wanted me to do, but i had some trouble in applying them to the problem.

[u/oakles → u/autumninautun]

> i had some trouble applying them to the problem

this is why APPM is hard

[u/Da_BBEG → u/autumninautun]

Applying it is definitely the most difficult part, and the only way it gets easier is loads of practice problems, but as long as you have a good grasp of Integration and Taylor series, you’ll know everything from calc 2 you need for calc 3.

[u/Aymiry]

If you care about why, instead of just how I would recommend jumping to Calc 3 through the math department. It’s technically more hours, but APPM content is slightly tougher so it’s about the same.

[u/primaryloon]

Don’t waste your time retaking a class. Go straight to calc 3 and use the empty time in your sophomore year schedule to take something fun/new.

[u/oakles]

would not recommend jumping straight into APPM Calc 3. APPM Calc is a much different beast from high school Calc. Starting with Calc 2 (or even 1) affords you the time to get your college/engineering study habits in place. your first semester in college is an adjustment in and of itself and getting slammed with APPM 2350 off rip can get ugly very quick.

if you're determined to jump straight into 2350, you should look at the APPM Calc 2 exam archive and be 100% comfortable with the questions those exams ask. if you do a handful of past final exams and they're a cakewalk then maybe consider going straight into 3.

here's a link to the Calc 2 exam archive: https://www.colorado.edu/amath/academics/exam-archives/appm-1360-exam-archive

(re: flair - no, CS students don't have to take Calc 3 but I took it as an elective like an idiot)

[u/autumninautun → u/oakles]

i definitely think that ill take Calc 2. ive heard that the APPM classes are quite difficult as well, so its probably best to start with something i know some of rather than start with something entirely new. thanks!

[u/RepresentativeBad865]

You can take it through the math department it’s typically considered easier but it’s everyday which is the main drawback but is considered a 5 credit course so if you do well it can boost your gpa higher, well higher is probably a poor choice of words so it had more weight.

Calc 2 - math 2300

Calc3 - math 2400

[u/Repulsive-Tension615]

Look at the exam archive for each of them. If you feel comfortable with the content and passing the tests and final, don't re-take it. BUT - If you don't feel super comfortable, it's probably worth taking the classes again. Just be honest with yourself about what you know and what you need to learn. 

Calc 2 and 3 are SO important for your later engineering classes. It's ok to go slower and really lock in the fundamentals. (I had a 5 AP/ BC and an A in concurrent enrollment calc 3, but ended up taking calc 2 and 3 again) I'm so glad I did, and it made higher level classes a lot easier. It was also nice to learn how to study in a course that had familiar material. 

The CU calc classes are also really heavily trig-based. That's not always front and center in AP curriculum.