acclerated math at harvard

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I am a rising senior who is interested in math. I have a 4.0 in math and science at my school, but it really is not challenging and am going to end up only having learned BC Calc, though we will learn infinite series and stokes theorem. I am on the fastest math track at my school, but it doesnt move as quickly as i can learn.</p>

<p>I have done really well on math contests and get combined scores of 200-220 on the AMC+AIME (qualified for the USAMO once) and generally impress people with my creativity to compensate with my lack of knowledge of more advanced math.<br>
btw, my SAT/ACT scores are 2380/35 and my SAT II scores are 800,800,800 and will not be applying for financial assistance.</p>

<p>Because I am starting with a relatively low point in the amount of math I know, I am looking for schools where I can learn at a faster pace than normal, even though I do not know that much math. I know that math 55 is incredibly fast paced, but I do not think that I know enough math to begin in it. How are the other math offerings at harvard in terms of "customizable" pace?</p>

2

<p>Here is somewhat of a break-down of the first year math courses.</p>

<p>[Harvard</a> Mathematics Department : 21, 23, 25, or 55?](<a href=“http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/freshmenguide.html]Harvard”>http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/freshmenguide.html)</p>

3

<p>thanks rabbit. are you a math major? it seems like math 25 might be a good fit.</p>

4

<p>No, unfortunately I’m not. But I have several close friends who are. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Not only is it pretty flexible, but your first class doesn’t define your 4 years.</p>

5

<p>I find it interesting that the Q guide does not even mention Math 55. (Not that my daughter will ever be taking it :))</p>

6

<p>Math 55 will more than satisfy your math appetite :)</p>

7

<p>The Q guide leaves out most small courses. I’m not sure the number of students a course needs to be included, but I’ve taken several that didn’t end up in the Q.</p>

8

<p>if i wanted to teach myself multivariable calc and/or linear algebra, does anyone have any recommended textbooks that are good for do it yourself?</p>

9

<p>online notes are cheap and easy</p>

10

<p>Have you looked into MIT’s Opencourseware?</p>

11

<p>i’m self teaching linear algebra with “Linear Algebra Done Right” by Axler. I got one new on amazon for around 30 bucks.</p>

<p>i’d recommend it for someone like you with “mathematical maturity.” it’s also one of the texts that 25 and 55 have used in the past.</p>

12

<p>so i got linear algebra done right, but it says that this is “probably your second exposure to linear algebra. unlike your first brush with the subject, which probably emphasized euclidean spaces and matrices, we will focus on abstract vector spaces and linear maps.”</p>

<p>I have no previous exposure to linear algebra and have done no advanced work with matrices. did you already have previous experience?</p>

13

<p>Before looking at Linear Algebra Done Right, I had very limited exposure to techniques in linear algebra (high school algebra stuff like matrix multiplication, basic work with determinants, yadda yadda). LADR is my first rigorous approach to linear algebra. </p>

<p>Before purchasing LADR, I had known that Harvard classes often use it as a first course text so I thought it’d be a good book to have to become acquainted with the level of Harvard intro math texts. Also, the text assumes no prior knowledge so it covers all of the necessary definitions. Although it’s billed as a “second course” I’ve found it approachable w/o any significant prior experience.</p>