<p>Cut and paste from google search math 55, second result</p>
<p>This is probably the most difficult undergraduate math class in the country; a variety of advanced topics in mathematics are covered, and problem sets ask students to prove many fundamental theorems of analysis and linear algebra. Class meets three hours per week, plus one hour of section, and problem sets can take anywhere from 24 to 60 hours to complete. This class is usually small and taught by a well-established and prominent member of the faculty whose teaching ability can vary from year to year. A thorough knowledge of multivariable calculus and linear algebra is almost absolutely required, and any other prior knowledge can only help. Students who benefit the most from this class have taken substantial amounts of advanced mathematics and are fairly fluent in the writing of proofs. Due to the necessity of working in groups and the extensive amount of time spent working together, students usually meet some of their best friends in this class. The difficulty of this class varies with the professor, but the class often contains former members of the International Math Olympiad teams, and in any event, it is designed for people with some years of university level mathematical experience. In order to challenge all students in the class, the professor can opt to make the class very, very difficult.</p>
<p>nspeds, what is worthy of "hahahaha" in Being and Nothingness?</p>
<p>As to the Kantian scholar, I hope that the teacher helps to cause understanding in the students. I would also hope that the Philosophy department is amazing, and I don't have much reason to believe that it isn't. Also, I would hope the profs provide help, as they would at any institution.</p>
<p>Most people have different standards, sure, but many people think Nietzsche is easy when in fact he means about 10 different things at the same time. As to Wittgenstein, is he not modern enough in the philosophy of language? Sure, the technical science stuff and how it relates to philosophy is hard, because one must understand both the science and THEN how it relates to philosophy!</p>
<p>Why does the Quantum Mechanics and Determinism seem most difficult? I would guess that it's difficult, but why more so than any other course?</p>
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nspeds, what is worthy of "hahahaha" in Being and Nothingness?
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<p>It is one of the easier texts I have read; I am surprised that anyone would refer to it as difficult.</p>
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but many people think Nietzsche is easy when in fact he means about 10 different things at the same time.
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<p>Once the inherent obscurity is realized, the reader subsequently understands that it is rubbish. I am surprised anyone would call Nietzsche a philosopher; he would not call himself a philosopher, and I am sure he would take offense to the epithet.</p>
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Wittgenstein, is he not modern enough in the philosophy of language? Sure, the technical science stuff and how it relates to philosophy is hard,
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<p>He is not particularly difficult in the Tractatus - except towards the end. The Later Wittgenstein is much more difficult, I will admit.</p>
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Why does the Quantum Mechanics and Determinism seem most difficult? I would guess that it's difficult, but why more so than any other course?
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<p>It requires proficiency in physics and philosophy. I admire those who can oscillate between the two with such ease. I cannot think of any other philosophy course that is more difficult. Kant is abstruse, but he can be understood within a month or two of serious study. 'Quantum Mechanics' requires a strong foundation in philosophy of science, mathematical logic, physics, analytic reasoning, and so forth. It takes years to develop the requisite skills.</p>
<p>Well, many do call Nietzsche a philosopher, although he might be better described as a rhetor. I do not know if he would call himself a philosopher. </p>
<p>I've had enough difficulty with the Tractatus to start on the later Wittgenstein anytime soon. But then again, I have only begun my studies.</p>
<p>About Being and Nothingness, I have not yet read it, but I've heard it referred to by a former teacher friend of mine and a lecturer from a well regarded philosophy department as particularly difficult. Perhaps this is lost in the translation or I'm recalling the wrong text. I'm pretty sure I'm not, but maybe I am.</p>
<p>As to Kant, may I understand a few of his main works after a couple months of critical study.</p>
<p>I agree with your comments about the Quantum Mechanics class, but I still think that, while having a basic understanding of Kant or the latter Wittgenstein is easier than having a basic understanding of Quantum Mechanics and how it affects Determinism and philosophy in general, it requires years of study of either to have a relatively thorough understanding of either, as in graduate study and beyond. Do you disagree?</p>
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From what I've heard, a lot drop out of Math 55. Are we still in the shopping period? Perhaps some of those will drop out.
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<p>As of end of shopping period, the class had dropped from 55 to 20. It is expected that more students will be winnowed out by the end of the third week of classes. Still, I was impressed that 55 shopped the class.</p>
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it requires years of study of either to have a relatively thorough understanding of either, as in graduate study and beyond. Do you disagree?
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<p>Anything of scholarly significance requires years of undergraduate and graduate study.</p>
<p>xjayz-Glad you like LS1a, but I loathed it. The class wanted to be everything at once (from orgo to cell bio to social analysis of AIDS). I'm loving my straightforward boringness of chem 5.</p>
<p>There's a freshman seminar being offered this year on the classics that has an insane amount of reading/writing. I wouldn't call it the most difficult class here, but I think they do things like read the Odyssey + write a short paper on it in a week.</p>