Choosing a calculus sequence
| First Year | Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MTH171 | MTH172 | MTH173 | MTH174 |
| MTH141 | MTH142 | MTH143 | |
| MTH161 | MTH162 | MTH165 | MTH164 |
| MTH161Q | MTH162Q | ||
Note: MTH163 can be substituted for MTH 165. MTH 165 is recommended for math majors and anyone planning to take MTH 235. MTH 173-4 must be taken in order but MTH 165/163 and MTH 164 can be taken in either order.
There are three calculus sequences to choose from.
Each of the sequences meets the prerequistes for entering any of the engineering, science, premed, mathematics, or math/computer science concentrations.
Math 170 sequence
Students with strong mathematical ability should consider taking the MTH171 calculus sequence which is an honors calculus sequence for talented students interested in mathematics. MTH171 is currently listed as MTH171Q because it is part of the Quest program -- these are different names for the same course.
- The MTH171 sequence places more emphasis on the theoretical understanding of calculus in addition to teaching technical skills.
- It carries 5 credit hours per semester rather than the standard 4 credit hours and covers all of the material on calculus, ordinary differential equations AND linear algebra contained in MTH161-MTH165 and MTH235.
- Students completing the four semester MTH171 sequence earn 20 credit hours (24 if they received AP credit) and will have completed all of the foundation requirements for a major or minor in mathematics.
- Students must have taken a high school calculus course, or have permission from the instructor, in order to enroll in MTH171.
- Students obtaining an AP test score of 4 or higher on the calculus AB exam or a score of 3 or higher on the BC exam, are given 4 credits for the AP course , but still enroll in MTH171.
Math 160 sequence
The MTH161-MTH165 sequence emphasizes practice in the mathematical techniques used in science and engineering. This is the standard calculus course taught at most universities, principally to students planning to major in mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, or engineering. Rouglhly speaking,
- The first semester, MTH161, covers differentiation techniques and applications,
- The second semester, MTH162, covers integration and applications and additional differentiation techniques.
- The Quest courses MTH161Q and MTH162Q cover the same material as their ordinary counterparts but with more emphasis on understanding concepts and techniques.
- Most students should choose MTH164, the study of differentiation and integration techniques for functions of more than one variable, for their third semester, and
- For their fourth semester, MTH 165, linear algebra with differential equations, or MTH163, the study of ordinary differential equations.
It is possible to switch the order of these last two courses, if knowledge of differential equations is needed earlier, as a prerequisite for some other science course.
Math 140 sequence
The MTH141-MTH164 sequence covers much the same material (using the same textbook) as the MTH161 series, but the first year proceeds at a slower pace and takes an extra semester to complete. Many students take MTH141 and MTH142 during their first year and MTH143 during the summer, either at the University of Rochester or at another university. This allows them to take MTH164 and either MTH165 or MTH163 in their second year.
Each of the sequences meets the prerequistes for entering any of the engineering, science, premed, mathematics, or math/computer science concentrations.
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