I passed first year with a 4.0 but i failed 2 courses (calc :( )

should i take the summer school and most likely lose a chance at getting into my stream i want?

I have heard that you can retake the full year again if you have failed a course but have passed the year.

and i thought being AT school was frustrating lol.

If you failed calculus then I would suggest seriously considering a FACULTY change.

If you passed first year engineering with a 4.0 then you can move on to second year engineering even if you failed/dropped 4 courses (because you can take them in the summer).
The only problem here is that if you had a free choice and wanted to get into something that requires more than a 4 (like civil and mechanical). If you fail one course you lose that free choice :/

So...
1. If you don't have a free choice and already got into the program that you want to, then you can move on to second year provided you finish the summer school courses (the 2 calc courses) and pass them.
2. If you had a free choice, unfortunately you will lose it and can't go into your preferred choice (if its something like civil or mechanical).

I am not sure if you can retake first year engineering, you have to talk to Sally Williams about that.

Originally Posted by Rayine

If you failed calculus then I would suggest seriously considering a FACULTY change.

Not necessarily, I know people who failed first year calc and passed engineering. You will definitely struggle in your undergrad, but you don't have to change majors.
If the OP takes the 2 courses in the summer, works hard on them and understands the material, then I don't see why he would struggle or even change majors ! Plenty of people fail first year calculus.

Originally Posted by jim1

Not necessarily, I know people who failed first year calc and passed engineering. You will definitely struggle in your undergrad, but you don't have to change majors.
If the OP takes the 2 courses in the summer, works hard on them and understands the material, then I don't see why he would struggle or even change majors ! Plenty of people fail first year calculus.

Plenty of people also don't become engineers.

He can't go into second year yet. Second year requires you to pass ALL first year courses. You should retake them during the summer to avoid waiting a year

I asked Sally Williams precisely this question about a week ago. She told that if you've achieved the minimum required 4.0 average, then there's no way you can redo 1st year because she'd be forced to put you into a 2nd year program anyway since you have the required average (and provided that you finish those calculus courses in summer school first).

As far as I know, the only way to be able to redo 1st year completely would be to have gotten lower than 4.0 (being ineligible to continue in engineering) and then applying for reinstatement into the program.

Originally Posted by Otoshigami

I asked Sally Williams precisely this question about a week ago. She told that if you've achieved the minimum required 4.0 average, then there's no way you can redo 1st year because she'd be forced to put you into a 2nd year program anyway since you have the required average (and provided that you finish those calculus courses in summer school first).

As far as I know, the only way to be able to redo 1st year completely would be to have gotten lower than 4.0 (being ineligible to continue in engineering) and then applying for reinstatement into the program.

I think what's not clear then is if he doesn't complete the calculus courses in summer school, will he then repeat Engineering I?

Don't worry. For the most part I found the math Profs at Mac to be the worst (Child was the exception). You could take the calculus courses elsewhere. Athabasca and Ryerson offers some Math courses that are already pre-approved by mcmaster. Check the following link

http://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/current/lop.html

Remember, if you do retake these courses at Mac over the summer it will be easier the second time. You will be familiar with the material and there will be more motivation to pass (mark >=1 && C.A >=4 and your in level 2!). Also, I just finished Electrical Engineering and I can tell you from experience in upper year classes when calculus is used it's easy (usually straight forward derivatives or integration with practical applications; there were no crazy trig substitutions or anything like that ).

You'll be fine/ best of luck

P.S you still need to get through your 2nd year maths, so you should really think about taking them next summer as this will reduce your work load for next year.

Can you take a calculus course at Ryerson during one of your terms? If you think that you will get a math prof that you won't be able to understand too well (due to broken accent, etc), do you have the option?

Originally Posted by Jasonn

Can you take a calculus course at Ryerson during one of your terms? If you think that you will get a math prof that you won't be able to understand too well (due to broken accent, etc), do you have the option?

Don't take a math course at another university if you think that you might get a bad prof because you might end up with an even worse prof at that university !
To be honest, going to math is useless, you can simply study on your own and do well in it. A lot of people skip math, study on their own and end up doing well ! I only had 1 friend that actually preferred going to math class (because when he tried skipping he got destroyed!).

My advise would be:
1. Read the book.
2. Do all of your homework.
3. Go to the math help centre in the basement of Hamilton Hall (HH) if you ever need help.
4. Do the sample tests provided.
5. You can always go to your prof if you need extra help.

Note: Go to class the first couple of weeks, if you see that you actually understand what the prof is saying then you can continue going ! Also, if you have a good prof like Dr.Childs or Dr.McLean then go to class !
Skipping class is totally up to you ! Good luck

I know a few people who stopped going to the lectures due to bad profs, and nothing happened, they still passed.

This is university, you are expected to do a lot of self study.

Originally Posted by arathbon

I think what's not clear then is if he doesn't complete the calculus courses in summer school, will he then repeat Engineering I?

this is what i was trying to ask in the first place, thanks. Ive been studying calc alot and i know i could get a good mark but it wont help be in getting into a stream. I'll have to talk to sally about it.

I agree with one of the first posters on here, if you failed both calculus courses first year, you should definitely consider the option of switching faculties. speaking from experience, first year math heiled in comparison to the difficulty level of the second year courses. If you cant pass first year calc, i dont see how you will ever stand a chance in gabardos classes second year. just my opinion tho speaking from the experience of suffering through them already