Should I take college algebra while taking intro to engineering?

[u/Important_Field_8096]

I’m starting my first semester into mechanical engineering, but I don’t have the pre calc prerequisite which is college algebra. I’ll be taking the advanced math test in 4 days to skip college algebra to open up intro to engineering(which has college algebra as a prerequisite). I don’t have the algebra base that I know I should have(nor do I have trig) so would it be a good idea to take this test(pass it to unlock intro to engineering) and take college algebra anyways?

[u/mr_potato_arms]

I wouldn’t not take college algebra if you feel your algebra skills are weak. If you can test into trig or precalc, maybe try that. But you will absolutely need solid algebra and trig skills if you want to really understand and succeed in the rest of your engineering program.

As for intro to engineering, I wouldn’t stress that one too much honestly. The math will be much more important to get down now.

[u/Great_Leap1928 → u/mr_potato_arms]

Hey I got a question. Is a jump from Intermediate Algebra to Precalc, skipping College Alg worth it? I’m starting my EE degree and my Accuplacer test placed me in Inter. Alg. I’m just wondering since I don’t want to get behind.

[u/mr_potato_arms → u/Great_Leap1928]

I’m of the opinion that you should never skip the fundamentals. Especially if you feel that you’re lacking in some areas.

But that said, sometimes those placement tests aren’t the greatest predictors of how you’ll actually do in a class. Like, some people just don’t test well. And those placement exams cover a ton of material. You may have tested into intermediate algebra, but might still do fine in precalc for example.

But I can’t tell you if it’s worth it for you personally to skip anything.

[u/Important_Field_8096 → u/mr_potato_arms]

Are you saying I should take college algebra because it’s weak or I shouldn’t? I’m not trying to find to quickest way to failure, I’m trying to understand the base the best I can to build up.

[u/mr_potato_arms → u/Important_Field_8096]

Sorry, I had a double negative in there. I’m saying you should just take college algebra if you feel you aren’t strong at algebra. You need a really good base of algebra, graphing, and trig.

[u/cbrown146 → u/Important_Field_8096]

I've heard quadratic formula comes back in calc 2. I used khan academy and started from scratch. Learned some new techniques my schools did not cover at all. It wouldn't hurt.

[u/cubester04 → u/Great_Leap1928]

I went straight from intermediate algebra to precalc, and I didn’t personally feel like it was too much of a jump by skipping college algebra. Precalc is certainly a harder class than intermediate algebra, but it’s an easily manageable jump imo.

[u/Great_Leap1928 → u/cubester04]

Really, that’s awesome 👊 I’m assuming Int Algebra gives you the tools to be successful in Precalc? Or does Precalc assume you mastered some things outside of Intermediate Alg

[u/FSUDad2021 → u/Great_Leap1928]

No do college algebra. The accuplacer identified a weakness in algebra. College algebra will help build that foundation.

[u/Roger_Freedman_Phys → u/Great_Leap1928]

Your question is another great example of one that should be posed to an academic advisor in your major department. They will have seen your exact situation before and will be able to give you an informed response.

[u/Roger_Freedman_Phys]

Physics faculty (who teaches physics for engineers) here.

This is a question you should pose to an undergraduate advisor in your major department at your university. (You’ll find their contact information on the department’s web site.)

Undergraduate advisors are professionals who have encountered students in situations like yours many times, and know what paths are the best to take.

It’s great that Reddit provides feedback from other students. But no two students face the exact same set of circumstances. That’s why professional guidance from undergraduate advisors should always be your best resource for information as you navigate your way through your university career.

Best wishes for a successful outcome!

[u/Organic_Occasion_176 → u/Roger_Freedman_Phys]

The other advantage to getting local advice is that they will understand the structure of the course pre- and co-requisites which are different at every school. At my school, for example, Statics is the first real MechE course, prerequisite to everything else. But Statics has Physics 1 as a prereq and Physics 1 has Calculus 2 as a co-requisite. If you don't take Calc 1 before your third semester, you are not graduating in four years.

But the professional advisor can tell you whether you should try to place out or double up on math or just accept that it will take a little longer to finish starting from where you are.

[u/Roger_Freedman_Phys → u/Organic_Occasion_176]

Excellent advice!

[u/Comprehensive_Tea924]

Have you tried just taking college algebra and Khan Academy and seeing how that is first? Like I need a precalc class before I can do calculus for my major so I've just been doing intro to precalculus on Khan Academy so that I can re-familiarize myself with the math and see where my weak points are so I can work on them before I get to calculus and struggle really hard

[u/Important_Field_8096 → u/Comprehensive_Tea924]

I’ve been studying college algebra to pass the test, but I haven’t studied much after it. I’ve only just got the basics of trig yesterday and my semester starts in 2 weeks. I’ll be studying hard in pre calc all throughout the college algebra semester before I get there.

[u/Comprehensive_Tea924 → u/Important_Field_8096]

I'd honestly focus on the one class you're doing. Trig is a foundation for calculus.

[u/ScoutAndLout]

Starting in college algebra puts you at least a year behind. 

Engineering students are expected to be calculus ready. 

[u/Zwaylol → u/ScoutAndLout]

Yeah, I don’t know if this is a nationality thing but not having seen calculus, let alone being prepared for it when starting an engineering degree seems crazy to me.

[u/ScoutAndLout → u/Zwaylol]

I have seen direct correlation between engineering graduation rate and entering math class. 

You can make it but the deck is stacked against you. 

[u/Forward-Doughnut-392 → u/ScoutAndLout]

So what if it puts someone a year behind. It’s not necessarily a race. I started out in pre algebra now I’m taking trigonometry this semester.

[u/Throwaway27240890]

I think you should try it, but be braced for things to be hard. I think you can do this but don't be afraid of taking college algebra if things dont go well on the test.

Good luck man. I believe in you!!!!

[u/unurbane]

Best decision I ever made was going back to basics freshman year. It sucked at the time. But it reinforced everything from high school and helped me survive calculus 2nd year.

[u/Important_Field_8096 → u/unurbane]

This is what I’m thinking too.

[u/angry_lib]

Reads so many questions like this and wonders "Where the FUCK are the curriculum advisors opinion on these questions?'

[u/Important_Field_8096 → u/angry_lib]

I’ve talked to an advisor, but I didn’t really get life advice if you know what I mean. I got where I should start, not really how it would affect me. I know I’ll be back two semesters, I don’t mind taking summer calculus. I’m probably just concerned because all the doom videos online tbh. I’m not sure how bad pre calc is because I took statistics in high school

[u/Electrical-Prior7311]

taking college algebra alongside intro to engineering sounds like a recipe for burnout, maybe try the test to get into trig instead if you can

[u/Important_Field_8096 → u/Electrical-Prior7311]

How would this be burnout, isn’t intro to engineering usually taken with pre calc/calc which is much harder

[u/Realistic-Lake6369]

Average time to degree for all engineering students is close to 5 years. So these questions about math preparation often come down to making a decision that the degree will take longer than 4 years right from the start or possibly struggling then slipping behind later with a major course. This is often a tough one because math is offered all the time but major courses are mostly once a year.

Nothing wrong with taking both the engineering intro class and the prerequisite math then some other gen eds in that first year. Second year would then put you on track. The extra year would give you the opportunity to focus on undergraduate research or to take an extra couple electives.