The Choice: Math 32 or Math 32L or Math 41

First-semester students who have AP or transfer credit for Math 31 and who want to continue in mathematics should in general enroll in one of these courses: Math 32 or Math 32L or Math 41. All three of these courses are second-semester calculus courses, all three will prepare students to take Math 103, and each of them will satisfy any other department's major requirements for a second-semester calculus course.

Here is a summary of the differences and similarities of the courses:

• The content of Math 32 emphasizes learning the computational techniques and the formal aspects of calculus with little emphasis on the applications of calculus. All methods use pencil and paper calculations; calculators are not allowed. This course has more "mathematiacal rigor" than Math 32L.

• Math 32L emphasizes the applications of mathematics to the sciences and social sciences with some but fewer of the computational techniques learned in Math 32. The use of calculators is central to the course, as are the weekly laboratory sessions where students work in groups to explore how the mathematical content learned in class can be applied to solving particular problems. Examples of labs in Math 32L include "The Fourier Analysis of Musical Sound" and "Limited Immunity in Epidemics." Some of the labs require writing about mathematics.

• Math 41 has been changed for the fall of 2007. This course is a second-semester calculus course which has been designed for students who have taken a thorough high school calculus course. The redesigned Math 41 will include some features of both Math 32 and Math 32L. In particular Math 41 includes the following:
  (1) selected topics from Math 31L which high school courses do not usually cover;
  (2) many major topics from Math 32 with similar rigor and theoretical emphasis;
  (3) weekly labs and applications similar to some of the ones in Math 32L, including labs on Fouier Analysis and Limited Immunity.
  Second-semester calculus topics which are covered thoroughly in high school AB calculus courses are treated lightly in this course so that there will be time for the applications.

• One of the goals of Math 32 is for students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the formal structure of calculus; one of the goals of Math 32L is for students to develop an intuitive and conceptual understanding of calculus. Math 41 is meant to develop both an understanding of the formal structure of calculus and an understanding of how calculus is used in applications; thus, students who enroll in Math 41 should be highly motivated to study both the theoretical and applied aspects of mathematics.

• Math 32 meets for two 75-minute lecture periods each week one 50-minute period. Math 32L and Math 41 meet for three 50-minute lecture periods each week and for a one-hour-and-45-minute lab each week.

• In addition to credit for Math 31 students enrolling in Math 32 should have an SAT score of at least 680 and an Achievement (I or II) score of at least 680. A student who has AP credit for Math 31 and who does not meet these minimum SAT and Achievement score requirements may still enroll in Math 32L. (Such a student could also forgo the AP credit and enroll in Math 31L.) A student who is qualified for Math 32, and who has an interest in both the theoretical structure and the applications of mathematics would likely be best suited for Math 41.

• According to the results of the end-of-semester questionnaires, students spend about the same total time outside of class on each of these courses.

• The overall distribution of grades in these courses has been approximately the same.

• After completing either Math 32 or Math 32L or Math 41 successfully, a student can enroll in Math 103. All three courses prepare students well for Math 103.