<p>Ok so I'm a high school Junior enrolled in a local university for math and as Differential Equations comes to a close I have to choose what I will be taking next semester. Basically I've taken Calc I-III and Diff Eq. I was planning on either Linear Algebra or Complex Analysis, maybe a number theory class? I only have a spot for one class at the University per semester so I would like to choose wisely. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should take next? P.S. I've heard good things about the Prof for Complex Analysis.</p>
<p>Linear algebra is typically the course that you would take to complete the frosh/soph college math courses. Linear algebra may be either computation and applications oriented (typical students are majoring in non-math sciences or engineering) or proof-heavy (typically an honors or junior level course for math majors).</p>
<p>Complex analysis is typically an advanced course that math majors take; it may list real analysis as a prerequisite. Expect it to be proof-heavy.</p>
<p>Number theory is also typically an advanced course that math majors may take; it may list abstract algebra as a prerequisite. Computer science majors interested in cryptography may also be interested in it. Expect it to be proof-heavy.</p>
<p>I just got done taking a Real Analysis final. I love math and all, but I don’t feel like I want to see a limit or a continuous function for at least a month. It’s a prerequisite for Complex Analysis here.</p>
<p>Linear Algebra was the last course I took in community college. I’d go for that by comparison. Mine was very proof heavy, but there was a fair amount of computation. Number theory here has no prerequisites other than an introduction to proofs course, but it’s taught at the senior level, I think. I think they expect you to have a certain mathematical maturity by the time you take Complex Analysis, which I would assume you did not achieve in your Calculus sequence.</p>
<p>You haven’t done discrete mathematics yet, so you shouldn’t be taking any of those courses.</p>
<p>Wow, Diff. Equations junior year. I was still learning algebra 2</p>
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<p>What all are they offering next semester that you have the prerequisites for?</p>
<p>Have you thought about whether you’re going to try and transfer your math classes? What classes will you be able to transfer from the local university to wherever you end up going? (Just from looking at transfer.org stuff for my dual-enrollment college, it looks like lower-level classes are easier to transfer, but I’m not sure.)</p>
<p>My local university has an “intro” number theory class that I just got done taking. There weren’t any specific prerequisites, but it’s a 300-level class there and they wanted you to have taken a 200-level class before.</p>
<p>Lower division courses are more likely to be listed in transfer.org and other articulation agreement listings, since they are more commonly presented for credit by transfer students. Upper division courses may need to be evaluated individually.</p>
<p>@halcyonheather
Those are basically the only math classes they offer that I have the prerequisites for and are interesting to me. Since the university is a small engineering school, the complex analysis class that they offer is aimed at engineering (electrical for like signal processing I believe) and the only prerequisite for it is diff eq. Linear Algebra would make more sense but its at an inconvenient time and I know that the prof for complex analysis is great.
In terms of the transferring of credit, I have asked representatives from all of the colleges I am interested in and they all said that they accept on a case to case basis and could not personally tell me until I apply. Although it seems optimistic because they did say that the credit would most likely be accepted. I plan on majoring in mathematics (probably pure) and possibly computer science as well so I know these courses would benefit me.</p>
<p>Be aware that some colleges combine linear algebra and differential equations into one course, so if you transfer only one of those courses, you may end up repeating it because you cannot take the other by itself.</p>
<p>Complex analysis for engineering may transfer as an elective applied math course, but not that likely as a core pure math course. However, you are far enough ahead in math that you should not worry too much about that if you just take it because it is interesting to you.</p>
<p>But remember that pure math tends to be proof oriented. If a math course that introduces proof techniques is available (may be included in some other course like discrete math), you may want to take it before diving into real analysis, abstract algebra, and other proof-oriented upper division math courses.</p>
<p>Computer science majors will benefit most from discrete math. For some subareas, additional math will be helpful. For example, cryptography uses algebra and number theory.</p>
<p>Oh yes, I will still be taking linear algebra in the fall. I would take a discrete math course but they hardly ever offer it, and this is one such a semester. I think I’m going to go with Complex Analysis because it sounds interesting, even if I don’t get credit for it. Good thing is that my public high school pays for the dual enrollment :)</p>
<p>What about abstract algebra?</p>