Ok well, as the thread title says, I'm basically conflicted on what math to take. I know 1LS3 is generally more for people going further into biochem and the like, thus I'm siding towards that. However, I'm attempting to get into Optometry and it says I need statistics...which one (or multiple) of these maths would I need as pre-reqs? Thanks in advance

1LS3 and 1A03 are the two calc courses, similar but 1A03 is generally considered harder.

Both serve as prerequisites for the most common statistics course: STATS 2B03.

1B03 is linear algebra, completely different.

EDIT: Nvm you don't even need 1LS3/1A03 to take STATS 2B03, you just need to be in Level II.

You can take stats 2b03 in your second year, you'll be fine with 1LS3 or 1A03 as a prereq*

I suggest you take 1a03 because 1LS3 is kind of a waste of a course.

1B03 is lin alg so I guess if you like that then go for it otherwise you probably won't need it.

Ah ok, that clears up the stat question so thanks to both of you. I want to ask one thing though, how come 1LS3 is a waste? I was thinking of taking it simply because I dislike math to put it the least and I just want to get it over with so I'd take the "easier" one.

Originally Posted by TerenceC

I want to ask one thing though, how come 1LS3 is a waste?

Well if you actually wanna learn something new (and exciting ), then yeah, it's a waste.
My roommate took 1LS3, so I got to see some of the work. A lot of it was grade 12 review.

Originally Posted by TerenceC

Ah ok, that clears up the stat question so thanks to both of you. I want to ask one thing though, how come 1LS3 is a waste? I was thinking of taking it simply because I dislike math to put it the least and I just want to get it over with so I'd take the "easier" one.

In a way it's a waste because it's really easy and for 3/4 of the term you won't be learning anything new.

1A03 you'll learn more math and overall it's a more difficult class.

However, I was in the same position as you (don't like math, don't plan to take more of it) and took 1LS3.

Originally Posted by TerenceC

Ah ok, that clears up the stat question so thanks to both of you. I want to ask one thing though, how come 1LS3 is a waste? I was thinking of taking it simply because I dislike math to put it the least and I just want to get it over with so I'd take the "easier" one.

Well I'm atrocious at math, and I managed a 12 in 1A03 and high 90s in 1AA3. They aren't really difficult. So if you're going to do well either way you might as take a course that isn't grade 9-12 review.

This guy clearly said he doesn't like math all that much and like 99% of the human population doesn't find new equations exciting. Take 1LS3, it's an easy 12 and you don't have to do a lot of math. Also, whats more important, learning something new that is more then likely not relevant to your career, or getting a high GPA so you can actually do what you want. Honestly, down the road you aren't gonna cherish that one equation you learned in 1A03 over the fact that you got a decent job because you didn't unnecessarily take the harder math.

Originally Posted by Chandlerowns

This guy clearly said he doesn't like math all that much and like 99% of the human population doesn't find new equations exciting. Take 1LS3, it's an easy 12 and you don't have to do a lot of math. Also, whats more important, learning something new that is more then likely not relevant to your career, or getting a high GPA so you can actually do what you want. Honestly, down the road you aren't gonna cherish that one equation you learned in 1A03 over the fact that you got a decent job because you didn't unnecessarily take the harder math.

Doesn't like math, and not finding new equations exciting =/= having troubles with math 1a03.

Also I find it kind of strange how he says he doesn't like math, which really means he doesn't like high school math (because that's the only math he's been exposed to thus far). And now your suggestion is to take 1LS3 which is a review of the exact same math he hates, as opposed to taking a course where some of it is review but a lot of it is new. There's only a chance he's not going to like 1A03 versus an almost guarantee that he won't like 1LS3.

Also, whats more important, learning something new that is more then likely not relevant to your career

90% of life science in undergrad is useless and irrelevant to people's future careers. You really think researchers and doctors and nurses use any of the crap they learn in first year?

The entire point of undergrad is not what you learn, but the problem solving skills that actually relate to real life and your future career. Good luck learning those skills in a course that gives you a 12 as long as you know grade 4 math.

Originally Posted by Alchemist11

Doesn't like math, and not finding new equations exciting =/= having troubles with math 1a03.

Also I find it kind of strange how he says he doesn't like math, which really means he doesn't like high school math (because that's the only math he's been exposed to thus far). And now your suggestion is to take 1LS3 which is a review of the exact same math he hates, as opposed to taking a course where some of it is review but a lot of it is new. There's only a chance he's not going to like 1A03 versus an almost guarantee that he won't like 1LS3.



90% of life science in undergrad is useless and irrelevant to people's future careers. You really think researchers and doctors and nurses use any of the crap they learn in first year?

The entire point of undergrad is not what you learn, but the problem solving skills that actually relate to real life and your future career. Good luck learning those skills in a course that gives you a 12 as long as you know grade 4 math.

This. I won't be doing rigorous proofs on the job at say, CIBC, but I will be using the problem solving and critical thinking skills learned from those math courses. Besides, why pay $500+ for a course that everyone keeps saying is essentially math that was learned in high school? Math 1A03 is not going to be any harder if you just put in some slight effort, and it'll be much more worth your time. Also, 1B03 is very interesting and I'm not going to lie, I found it to be kind of fun

Originally Posted by RankNullity

This. I won't be doing rigorous proofs on the job at say, CIBC, but I will be using the problem solving and critical thinking skills learned from those math courses. Besides, why pay $500+ for a course that everyone keeps saying is essentially math that was learned in high school? Math 1A03 is not going to be any harder if you just put in some slight effort, and it'll be much more worth your time. Also, 1B03 is very interesting and I'm not going to lie, I found it to be kind of fun

"RankNullity", someone liked that class :p

To add, the material covered in math 1a03 will help you with physics 1b03 and chem 1aa3. It won't make a world of difference, but you'll have an easier time grasping the concepts.