I'm a Life Sciences I student (first year, obviously), and going by the McMaster recommendations, I selected 1LS3 as part of my courses.

However, after reading the course reviews for both of them, I'm in two-minds. Should I continue with this course, or should I try and switch to 1A03? I've heard that the former is absolutely useless (and quite easy) whereas the latter is better and introduces more course-material.



EDIT: YEESH!! There are already two other threads with this exact same title!! I didn't see those!

Hello? Could anyone ?

I've been going through the different threads, and it seems that they've changed the maths courses, so the reviews should vary now...right? So which would be better?! 1LS3 or 1A03?

I like Maths, and did reasonably well in high school (got a B). And...I'm not sure whether I'll be minoring in it as of yet, but I'd like to keep the option open.

So...please?

Originally Posted by Faer

Hello? Could anyone ?

I've been going through the different threads, and it seems that they've changed the maths courses, so the reviews should vary now...right? So which would be better?! 1LS3 or 1A03?

I like Maths, and did reasonably well in high school (got a B). And...I'm not sure whether I'll be minoring in it as of yet, but I'd like to keep the option open.

So...please?

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...nt/pg1599.html

You can minor with either one. 1LS3 is more science application based while 1A03 is more theory and proof based. Theses courses are the same as in previous years, so the reviews are still good.

If you want to minor, keep in mind that you're going to have to take some upper year courses in math. With that said, I would recommend 1A03 since it probably has more theory.

If you got a B in Gr12 Advanced Calculus, then youll probably get a B in 1A03 cause it was all the same material for me

Originally Posted by jhan523

1LS3 is more science application based while 1A03 is more theory and proof based. Theses courses are the same as in previous years, so the reviews are still good.

I wouldn't say that. 1A03 puts a toe into theory and proof (eg. the epsilon-delta definition of a limit), but quickly abandons it. Both 1L and 1A courses are geared towards application - the only difference is that a lot of the 1L material seems more directly applicable to the life sciences, while a lot of the 1A material, while also being applicable to the life sciences, is probably more useful (in terms of application) for physics etc. Basically, while the techniques and approach of the 1A series seems more 'mathy', it's just that the science applications that the courses are geared towards are more mathematically 'abstract', or not as 'empirical' than the 1L series, which is simply because the particular sciences each course-series is geared towards differ in the mathematics required - for example, 1LS3 covers differential equations, while 1A03 takes the more traditional route of differential and integral calculus in more depth.

Neither course is proof-based, but 1A is slightly less directly applied than 1L - in both courses, you'll be learning techniques of calculus without learning why, since you don't really need the 'why' for application in science.

That said, I'd probably give an edge to the 1A series if you want to do a minor, simply because 1LT3 is a new course. If it's like 1LS3, it might not give you the preparation for either 2A03 or the 2X series. You'll have to take 1B03 for a minor anyway, though, and that should give you sufficient introduction to methods of proof etc.

Thanks for the replies.

I switched to 1A03, mainly because of the negative reviews about the other in the course reviews.

Originally Posted by Faer

Thanks for the replies.

I switched to 1A03, mainly because of the negative reviews about the other in the course reviews.

I think it really depends whether you like math or not, and whether or not you plan to go further, and take more math courses.

1LS3 is sufficient, and really easy; however, for people like me, who enjoy math, and would like have kept my options more open, 1A03 is the better route. It also depends on what program you are in... I mean physical sciences kids probably should take 1A03, while those in Life sci, who do not need as much math - should take 1LS3, because they probably won't encounter anything concept in their university classes that aren't taught in 1LS3.

^ Yup. 1A03 is a much better choice for physical science students, since you use a lot of the calculus from 1A/1AA in physics, inorganic chemistry, etc. For life science students, it's more of a toss-up, although material that is more immediately applicable to biology, biochemistry, etc. is taught in 1LS/1LT