Linear Algebra?

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Hello,

Has anyone ever taken a university-level LINEAR ALGEBRA course? If so, what did you think of it? I do not meet the high school mathematics requirement for the nursing program I want to get into but it can be replaced by a three credit university-level algebra course and so far I've only found linear algebra which I'm really apprehensive of doing. :o

Thanks.

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Matrices for a whole semester? Eesh!

(The only linear algebra classes I've seen in my area have some crazy prerequisites, above and beyond college algebra, but I'm guessing you checked into that for your school.)

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I'm scared of math!

And the linear algebra course I'm looking at has no prerequisites.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

why why why....would you do that to yourself......:barf02:college algebra is bad enough!!!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i just looked it up the linear algebra class at my school has calc 2 as a pre-class.... take my word for it you do not want this class..it looks just like eric said matricies the whole way through ...

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.

where are you thinking of taking this class?

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[color=#483d8b]in most colleges/universities, linear algebra is an upper-division class that is waaaay beyond anything that would be necessary (or relevant) to nursing.

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[color=#483d8b]since you say that it doesn't have any prereqs, then maybe this is a basic algebra class, concentrating on the linear aspects of algebra i/ii??? i doubt it, but it is possible. i rally doubt it, though.

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[color=#483d8b]at my school, it is a 300-level class with calc iii as a prereq and either "discrete sturctures" or "fundamentals of proofs" also as a prereq.

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[color=#483d8b]if its course number is anything higher than the course number for college algebra (algebra iii), i'd stay far, far away.

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I agree with you that linear algebra is irrelevant to nursing but it was the only online algebra course I could find (it's from Athabasca University in Alberta). Thanks for your advice!!!

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I agree with you that linear algebra is irrelevant to nursing but it was the only online algebra course I could find (it's from Athabasca University in Alberta). Thanks for your advice!!!

Yikes! I took it when I was a architect major. You do not want to take that class online. I had to take it twice to even pass face to face! Bad, bad, bad memories. Oh the nightmares.

I highly suggest finding another math class that is easier. Algebra isn't bad if you get the right teacher. Ask around and see what others have taken and what they thought of their instructor.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
i agree with you that linear algebra is irrelevant to nursing but it was the only online algebra course i could find (it's from athabasca university in alberta). thanks for your advice!!!

since its course number is higher than both calc 1 and calc 2, i'd skip it. the course description also looks like a "real" linear algebra class, though one at a slower rate since it is 2 semesters total instead of one.

[color=#483d8b]what level of math do you need for your nursing program? if you don't have the correct math level, you are probably going to have to take that minimum class, plus any prereqs that are needed to get to that minimum levlel.

[color=#483d8b]to me, math is a difficult subject to take on line. i'm good in math, but i need the in-class instruction to really understand it.

[color=#483d8b]can you take the necessary math at a local community college, since they are usually better for "odd" schedules ?

[color=#483d8b]edited to add:

[color=#483d8b]did you try their online math diagnostic assessment? that would tell you where you fit, and if this class is right for you.

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I'm not even sure I know what linear algebra is...most colleges have a pre-calculus or a calculus class that will count as a college math. I would probably go talk to someone in the math department, not a general advisor, to assess your math skills and find something suitable that would fulfill the requirement.

Statistics, is the class that most BSN programs require, and you can usually take an introductory course prior to taking the stats course. Linear algebra is something that you will NEVER need for nursing...so it's a wasted class.

Since the introductory course usually won't count, but will help you with statistics, I would also suggest taking the introductory class as an "audit" or a pass/fail option. There is nothing wrong with doing this...that way you won't feel highly pressured to get a good grade to maintain your GPA.

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In Alberta (and for this particular nursing program), I need Pure Mathematics 30 (highest grade 12 math course) or Mathematics 31 (I think this is a pre-calculus course). I could take either of the prerequisites by correspondence or at a local college but I'm not exactly sure just yet because there are three different ways to be admitted into the nursing program I want to get into including "Regular" and "Mature" (the other is "Transfer").

If I apply under Regular, I need the high school math course or the university-level algebra course and if I apply under Mature, I can pick from a couple of high school science courses (which I'm not planning to do and I'll explain why later) or use a university-level statistics course. Now, the reason why I'm asking about the linear algebra is because of my "Plan B", which concerns applying to a different nursing program than the one I have in mind (if I don't get accepted). The prerequisites are the same as the other nursing program but one of the prerequisites is my choice of either Pure Mathematics 30, Mathematics 31, or Physics 30... the math can be replaced by an algebra course and I am really just not interested in physics.

Sooo, the reason why I KIND OF don't want to apply under Mature admission of the school I want to get into and do the science course of my choice (Chemistry 30 or Physics 30) or the university-level statistics course is because it doesn't "transfer" into my Plan B nursing program and I don't want to spend all that money if it only applies to one program.

Okay, if that was confusing, just ask... I'll try to clarify!

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Ok, kind of confusing. Could you apply under Regular and take the college level algebra (it's not that bad) and if you didn't get into that program would it transfer to Plan B's program?

One more question: I imagine things are different in Canada but here in the US when you go to high school there is college prep courses. Things like physics (which is fun, we made pipe bombs - pre Columbine), calculus with a pre, algebra, adv algebra, etc. Do you not do that in Canada? Those that did not want to go to college after hs graduation didn't take college prep. Is that why you didn't already have these classes? I thought you had mentioned that you didn't take math in hs.

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