A couple of quick questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brandeis University
1

<p>I’m applying for Brandeis as a General Mathematics major (no applied mathematics or applied physics majors are available).</p>

<ol>
<li>How are the math and physics departments at Brandeis? Are higher level discrete mathematics offered? I’ll be done with multivariate calculus and differential equations this year, so by higher level I mean advanced linear algebra, number theory, combinatorics, topology, etc.</li>
<li>Any thoughts on the 3-2 program with Columbia? If I do end up going to Brandeis, this is what I would end up doing.</li>
<li>How does religious tolerance look? I’m an atheist and I have no objection to others believing/practicing whatever they want so long as they don’t preach to me. Living in NYC, I know a lot of Jews, but they’re mostly the kind who eat pork and are about as religious as me. Jewish in culture, but not in practice.</li>
<li>Girl scene? Pretty self-explanatory. Is there a lack of eye-candy? When I went on my college tour, my tour guide at Brandeis had a unibrow. I don’t know if girls like this are the norm or whether I just got unlucky. Aside from attractiveness, are they smart, approachable, socially awkward, etc.?</li>
</ol>

2

<p>I’m not a math major but you can check out what math classes are offered yourself here:
[Mathematics</a> (Undergraduate) | Schedule of Classes | Brandeis University<a href=“fall%202009”>/url</a>
[url=<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/registrar/schedule/classes/2010/Spring/4700/UGRD]Mathematics”>Mathematics (Undergraduate) | Schedule of Classes | Brandeis University]Mathematics</a> (Undergraduate) | Schedule of Classes | Brandeis University<a href=“spring%202010”>/url</a>
(on the left hand side you can change the display for other years to see what was offered those year )
As for religion, I wouldn’t worry too much. There is a sizable amount of non-religious Jews at Brandeis and atheists and people from other faiths. There’s a fairly active Humanists Club, for example.
[url=<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2008/10/28/Features/The-Unanswerable.Question-3509469.shtml]The”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2008/10/28/Features/The-Unanswerable.Question-3509469.shtml]The</a> unanswerable question - Features](<a href=“Office of the University Registrar | Brandeis University”>http://www.brandeis.edu/registrar/schedule/classes/2009/Fall/4700/UGRD)
[Brandeis</a> Humanists celebrate Darwin day - News](<a href=“http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/03/04/News/Brandeis.Humanists.Celebrate.Darwin.Day-3250216.shtml]Brandeis”>http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/03/04/News/Brandeis.Humanists.Celebrate.Darwin.Day-3250216.shtml)
[OP-ED:</a> Faith casts a shadow over humanity - Op-Ed](<a href=“http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/02/05/OpEd/OpEd-Faith.Casts.A.Shadow.Over.Humanity-3188234.shtml]OP-ED:”>http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/02/05/OpEd/OpEd-Faith.Casts.A.Shadow.Over.Humanity-3188234.shtml)
[Author</a> discusses failure of religion to derive morals - News](<a href=“http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/02/05/News/Author.Discusses.Failure.Of.Religion.To.Derive.Morals-3188479.shtml]Author”>http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2008/02/05/News/Author.Discusses.Failure.Of.Religion.To.Derive.Morals-3188479.shtml)</p>

<p>As for the last question, I think that’s very subjective and I don’t have a strong opinion either way. On the one hand, the question comes up a lot, on the other hand, there’s also been many different responses to it. But I always think this is a good link to bring up in this context:
[A</a> crowning achievement for Amanda Kelly '08 | BrandeisNOW](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/now/2009/july/kelly-missmass.html]A”>A crowning achievement for Amanda Kelly '08 | BrandeisNOW)
But I think in general most people at Brandeis are smart and approachable.</p>

3

<p>Hmmm, interesting that you ask about tolerance when you make a judgement based on someone having a unibrow…</p>

4

<p>Or refer to women as “eye-candy”…</p>

5

<p>My s is majoring in Physics and Math, and is a sophmore. He came with two years of college physics and a substantial amount of math courses as well. He is very impressed with the level of instruction from both his professors and his ta’s (in lab courses). The courses have low enrollment, the professors go out of their way to be helpful. He is taking all masters level courses and loves it. Good luck. I asked and he said the social scene is fine but with his majors he doesnt have a lot of free time.</p>