Introduction to Mathematics @ UoM without Methods Units 1 & 2?

[JamesT]

I saw a post about this in another thread but it didn't really answer the question I was looking for.

So, is it possible to do Introduction to Mathematics @ UoM without doing VCE Methods at all (no unit 1 - 4)?

[sluu001]

It may say a pre-req of methods 1-2. But i do not think melb uni is going to stop you from enrolling in it if you really want to do it. The pre req is there to ensure you do not get left behind when they teah concepts based on assumed knowledge. Best way to find out if you can enrol without 1/2 knowledge is to ask the science faculty.

[banditkeith]

You won't be able to enrol in it if you don't meet the prerequisites. The only exception is if you go to the Student Centre, talk to them and see if they will waive the prereqs for you- you'd need a good reason/exception for that to work

[kolol]

Might be a bit late to reply, but Monash also provides a unit "MTH1010" which does not require Method 1+2 and Melbourne sees it as equivalent to prerequisite of Method 3+4.

So if you want to fullfill the Method prerequisite of a course then transfer to it, perhaps you can go to Monash first then transfer. This is what I did.

[vcestudent94]

Similar question: Is it possible to get into accelerated mathematica in first year UoM without the 38 in specialist prerequisite? I think I recall it said that you would need permission from the head of mathematics but how would he determine if you could do it?

[sluu001]

"cough" rolex watch "cough"

But seriously, I would not attempt o do accl. Mathematics if you do not satisfy the pre.req. Ive heard that some students still have nighmares about the subject.

If you are desperate to do it, email the coordinator and see what he says.

[jeppikah]

Similar question: Is it possible to get into accelerated mathematica in first year UoM without the 38 in specialist prerequisite? I think I recall it said that you would need permission from the head of mathematics but how would he determine if you could do it?

I wouldn't recommend that from a personal perspective. Accelerated maths is nothing like high school maths and it was quite hard to grasp dome concepts. Unless you really need it for your degree, save the stress and your GPA.

[vcestudent94]

Similar question: Is it possible to get into accelerated mathematica in first year UoM without the 38 in specialist prerequisite? I think I recall it said that you would need permission from the head of mathematics but how would he determine if you could do it?

I wouldn't recommend that from a personal perspective. Accelerated maths is nothing like high school maths and it was quite hard to grasp dome concepts. Unless you really need it for your degree, save the stress and your GPA.

So I wouldn't be in a disadvantage by not doing it in an actuary degree? and instead doing linear algebra?

[sluu001]

I think you wil still have to complete it since it is a prerequisite in actuary, but keep in mind you need to achieve 73 grades or over for these subjects in order to gain exemptions to stage 1 of the actuary program. So I recommend doing the subjects in progression rather than trying to skip them. You'll just have to complete AM 1 & 2 in a later semester.

[Greatness]

You either do AM 1 & 2 or Calculus 2 and linear algebra for the first year math of actuary. I think it's preferable to do the AM stream since you cover some topics that aren't done in the Calc/LA stream.

[vcestudent94]

You either do AM 1 & 2 or Calculus 2 and linear algebra for the first year math of actuary. I think it's preferable to do the AM stream since you cover some topics that aren't done in the Calc/LA stream.

So I would be in a slight disadvantage by not doing AM in first year actuary? If so, how would I go about getting in if I get just below the prerequisite, say a 37 SS in spesh?

[Hancock]

If you get below 38 in Spesh (we are talking raw), you can sit an advance placement test to gain access to AM. When I asked the pros and cons between the AM path and the standard path, the maths faculty was surprisingly adamant about me doing AM. I did Calc2/LinAlg because I wanted a good GPA to go overseas but otherwise I would've taken AM. I think they just wanted more enrolments for the class.

I've taken a look at exams for AM1 and it looks incredibly similar to Linear Algebra, except the questions are a tad less intuitive and it includes partial differentiation which is a Calc 2 topic. AM2 has real analysis in it and looks a quite a bit harder than Calc 2 (WTF is a Riemann Sum? I'm pretty sure it's an integral type thing). All in all, you would've be too disadvantaged by doing the standard maths stream, just know if you do the AM one, you are risking a lower GPA for the same effort.

A mate of mine in Calc 2 got ~42 for spesh, and only got 65 for Calc 2. It's only one example but just something to keep in mind.

[Greatness]

You either do AM 1 & 2 or Calculus 2 and linear algebra for the first year math of actuary. I think it's preferable to do the AM stream since you cover some topics that aren't done in the Calc/LA stream.

So I would be in a slight disadvantage by not doing AM in first year actuary? If so, how would I go about getting in if I get just below the prerequisite, say a 37 SS in spesh?

I'm not sure tbh, but from what I've heard from tutors they've said that it depends on the student. Some students who did Calc2/LA stream do well in 2nd year and some drop off a lot, so it depends on your work ethic in the end.
If you get below 38 SS then I believe you can take a placement test and if you pass it or achieve the reserve mark then they'll let you do AM.

[vcestudent94]

About the lower GPA, does it really matter? For actuary arn't only your 2nd and 3rd year GPAs used for entry into honours year? So as long as you pass first year AM you should be ok yes?

[Hancock]

I'm not too sure about the requirements for honours, but if your 2nd and 3rd year GPA are used for honours entry you should be fine with either maths stream then.