After sending many children to assorted universities' calculus programs, I would say that USAFA covers more material in a much shorter time, without such side classes as "recitation."
I guess you are a teacher? How many 'calculus programs' (I am not even sure what a 'calculus program' really is, it is calculus) have you actually looked at in depth? If it is a technical four year degree, they all cover the same thing for calculus. Calculus is split into 3 classes at USAFA which is how most technical degrees split calculus. What 'more material' do you think they are covering that, say the Univerisity of Dayton, Penn State, the Citadel, or *insert ANY accredited 4 year college with a technical degree here* does not cover in it's 3 class sequence of calculus for engineers, mathematicians, etc. There is no extra material that is covered. It is calculus. It is a base level subject that must have the same material taught whereever you go. Even 2 year community colleges MUST cover the same material because if they do not, when kids transfer, what they have learned is worthless. Those transferring students will flunk higher level math classes, physics, engineering, etc. It won't take long for the community college to develop a 'reputation' and to lose their accredidation.
Please enlighten me with what portions of calculus, especially calc 1 or calc 2, the USAFA delved into that other schools skip? Derivatives? integrals? Limits? Mins, maxes? Chain Rule? For the life of me, I can't even imagine what you would think they could possibly teach in basic level calc classes that they would not cover at any institution of higher learning.
If those who need help don't get it early in the game, they fall further and further behind.
I agree 100%.
If you suspect that USAFA's Math program is equal to my local state U's branch campus', well, I will respectfully disagree.
first, we are not comparing 'math programs.' We are talking about entry level calculus. Yes, I agree that most math programs a branch campus don't match the USAFA 'math program.' When you get to upper level math classes, different schools have different strengths and concentrations. But in all honesty, most 'branch campuses' do not have 'math programs.' It is far too unpopular of a degree or even concentration.
The reason I am so adamant about this is because this kid's confidence is already shaken. The difference between being able to do something and not being able to do something, especially math, is confidence and teaching. It sounds like the teachers at USAFA are excellent and truly care. It won't matter one bit if he goes in there thinking the calculus classes at the Academy are somehow teaching super difficult, secret calculus in calc 1 and calc 2 that 'most schools' somehow don't know about(? I still can't figure out what you think calc 1 at the USAFA covers that other schools don't). If there were only 2 calc classes, I could see your statement, a little bit. But it would just be more material and it would cover calc 1 and part of calc 2 in calc 1 and the rest of calc2 and calc 3 in calc 2.
Clay29631 - As much as I disagree with fencersmother and her opinion on calc 1, she is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT about signing up for EI. That is the best advice on this thread, and I advised my son the same thing as soon as I read it. Like she said, if you don't need it, no big deal, but if you do, you are already on top of it. Calc 1 is calc 1. You will see the same material. No matter how poorly it was taught to you this past semester, some of it will have stuck and you will understand more than you think.
