Should I do accelerated mathematics with a study score of 38 on specialist math?

[InfinityWen]

When I was reading the Bachelor of Science subject planning handbook for UoM, I found out that the accelerated mathematic require 38 or more on Specialist Math and students who attain that score are recommended to do the subject set of accelerated mathematic 1&2 instead of calculus2&linear algebra.

 Personally, although I'm passionate about math but I don't think I'm well on it. I think the main reason of getting an 38 on specialist math is that the questions in 2018 are far more easier than 2017(which I only got 29 on this exam) .  I just did a quick search online and I had read the subject comment thread. I've informed that the accelerated mathematics 1 is okay, which is reasonably harder than calculus 2,  but the other one is very difficult since it involved the study of real analysis, which is specialised in  pure math major.

I'm wondering is there anyone who had  this experience could give me some advice? I feel so sorry for my poor English.Thanks so much, I appreciate it.

P.S. I'm planning to become a chemical engineer with a major of chemical system in bachelor degree, on UoM website it recommend me to do calculus 2&algebra
 

[InfinityWen]

I was in a somewhat similar situation (Got a 39 in spec, but was set on the AM pathway having starting in Actuarial), so hopefully I can answer your questions. The subjects were definitely my biggest challenge in first year and required a lot more effort. I ended up with decent but not amazing scores in them (mid to high 70s), and found the experience, particularly AM 2, to be very rewarding despite a very big initial struggle. However, most my other first year subjects (Principles of Finance, Intro Macro, Intro Financial Accounting ect.) were relatively straightforward - I'd imagine Chem 1 and 2 would be a much bigger challenge

Basically, the benefit of doing AM 1 and 2 is that it covers Calc 2, Linear Algebra and Real Analysis in three subjects. I don't know too much about chem eng, but after a quick search on the UoM website at your sample study plan and the web it seems real analysis wouldn't be particularly useful to you (keep in mind that site is just anecdotal evidence - Then again, I guess my post is too ).

You'll still need to do other science electives, so if you're passionate about maths it might be worth starting in AM1 and seeing how you find the rigour of uni maths (keeping in mind you usually have two weeks into the semester to change your mind and enroll in another subject). On the other hand, university maths is a very big step up from methods/spec. You need a 65 WAM for the MEng which should be easily achievable provided you make a consistent effort, but it may not be worth the extra stress if you won't be doing more maths other than Calc 2, LA and Eng Maths

Thanks so much for your decent advice! (I've waited for replies for the whole day and finally received a reply)
I totally agree with your point that I should give AM1 a go for few weeks, but I'm still confused about the difficulty of changing subjects when the classes officially start (i.e. what about there is no place available when I make up my mind of changing from AM1 to Calculus 2). I've seen that the competition was very strong on the 31th of January, the time at which the course selection starts. Also, I'm informed that the Melbourne Uni has a system called 'subject set', I'm wondering whether I would face trouble (eg. the uni staff think I haven't meet the prerequisites of studying a master) if I give up AM2 since it is too hard and do not complete these math subjects from one set (the sets are LA&Calc2 and AM1&AM2).  Maybe these questions are too in-detailed, if that's so, I would't expect to receive a reply and I might need to book an appointment as soon as possible....