I’m considering getting a math minor, as it’ll only take 2 extra classes from my ME major and I enjoy math in general. I guess I’m looking for a little bit of insight on taking Intro to Abstract Algebra next semester. I’m in linear algebra this year and so far I’ve got A’s on the tests and done well. However, we’re getting into some slightly more difficult material now and I’ve heard other people tell me that kernels are terrible once I get to them.
I know it’ll all depend on who teaches the course, how the tests are made, if it’s proof heavy and so on but how much more difficult are the concepts in abstract algebra?
@Twinsrule1 In abstract algebra, you’ll generally be learning about different types of groups, group homomorphisms, fields, rings, and perhaps proofs of some famous theorems such as the fundamental theorem of algebra or the Abel-Ruffini theorem (no general solution to polynomials of degree 5 or higher).
Some of the concepts are pretty similar to what is seen in a linear algebra course, but often more generalized and rigorous. The abstract algebra course I took was fairly proof-heavy, so knowing how to write a proof is essential.