<p>Hey, I'm going to be a freshman in Arts and Sciences next year and I want to major in math. Anywho, I kinda just wanted to know what it's like being a math major at Cornell, in terms of rigor, how the professors are, how the students are, favorite classes, stuff like that. I'd also like to know which professors are better at teaching than others. The only professors I'm familiar with are Allen Hatcher, mostly because I happen to have his Algebraic Topology Book, and Thurston because he happens to be a field medalist. Any feedback would be much appreciated, thank you.</p>
<p>I can only tell you what I know based on what others have told me. I didn’t take much math at Cornell. The math department has weak teaching faculty, at least (especially?) in sub-300 level courses. The rigor is fairly high, although supposedly as you go into higher level classes, the relative difficulty declines. That’s not to say they are easy courses, but I think the general theory is that the more experience you gain in math, the easier it is to learn new concepts, even if to an outsider, it’s extremely difficult/complex.</p>
<p>My freshman son took math 2230, theoretical linear algebra, in the fall. He found it quite challenging, but really enjoyed Professor Hubbard, who is also a well known mathematician. (He named the Mandelbrot set; he also wrote the textbook they used.) My son was unable to continue into 2240 because of a major scheduling conflict, so he is taking multivariable calculus for engineers instead. He is finding it much easier, but a little boring in comparison. You might want to read up about math 2230-2240 online. It is the recommended starting sequence for math majors. The courses are very difficult, although grades are generally curved. So the initial shock of grades on homework and tests can be a little demoralizing, especially for those who are accustomed to doing very well in math. Still, my son enjoyed the experience and was challenged – and disappointed he couldn’t continue with 2240 because of another requirement he wanted to complete this year. (Necessary level of language course met only once, at the exact same time as 2240.)</p>
<p>Oh cool! I’m planning on taking 2230-2240 as well. Does anyone know roughly how many math majors there are every year at Cornell?</p>
<p>I also took 2230 this past semester and am currently taking 2240 (freshman double-majoring in math and CS). I think there are probably around 20-30 math majors a year, but I could be totally wrong, that’s just the first number that came to my mind and seems about right.</p>
<p>As for the course 2230 itself. It was by far the hardest course I have taken at Cornell, and in my life, but I finished with a good grade (like galen said, it’s curved, btw, I think I know your son, we miss him in class). It wasn’t hard in the sense that it’s impossible, but in the sense that Hubbard assigns a lot of homework and piles on concepts class after class, so it feels like treading water, but at the end of the semester you feel really accomplished. This semester, it’s not being taught by Hubbard; instead, Knutson is teaching it and seems to be making things significantly easier (when you’re teaching out of the book that you wrote like Hubbard was, you go over every chapter and the hardest exercises.) </p>
<p>Overall, 2230-40 is THE course to thrust you right into mathematics. Like the title of the course would imply, it has a large emphasis on analysis, which isn’t much to my taste (I’m more an algebraist, which is part of why I love CS so much.) Though it was hard to get through, it’s totally worth it. And like I said, every course in comparison is a cakewalk. Just be prepared for the long, late sections on wednesday nights (it really, really sucks to walk to Malott from North when it’s dark.)</p>
<p>Also, good luck, and welcome to Cornell.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll just tag onto this post. I am a prospective Econ/Math major, but this year I’m really enjoying my CS class, so much so in fact that I am thinking about majoring in it (as well?). I looked at the schedulizer thing and I was trying to plan out some classes, but I’m not sure which track of math to take (I want to go only applied math, I’m not really in it for the pure stuff) along with economics/CS (assuming I place out of the intros with 5s, except Comp Sci). </p>
<p>So basically, is a triple major viable? If not, double major and minor would still work? And which math track would be preferable for someone interested in totally applied math (if possible)?</p>
<p>I’m not all too sure about applied math, that has more to do with course selection I think. But I think a triple major is doable, but would be hell. The thing with double majors with math is that it is usually quite easy to tag math on. You typically just need 2210-20 or 2230-40 and then 4 math courses (2 algebra, 2 analysis) to get a degree, with like 4 or 5 courses in your other major with significant mathematical content. So a CS+Math degree really only requires 4 extra courses if you pick them wisely. On the other hand, CS+Math+Econ would be hard, since CS and Econ have very little overlap. CS has a minor, I believe, but Econ doesn’t. So if you want any Econ, you have to go for a full degree. Also, you can totally place out of CS 1110 with a 5 on AP CS. In fact, I didn’t take AP CS in high school (they didn’t offer it) but I took their placement exam and went on to do well in 2110 (currently taking 2800 and 3110.) </p>
<p>If you have any other questions about this sort of stuff, I’d be more than happy to answer them, provided I know enough. But you have to remember that I’m only a freshman myself, so some may be beyond me.</p>
<p>My guess is that if you want to do that triple major, you’ll need to start carefully planning out your classes as soon as possible. My second semester sophomore year I spent a weekend pouring over the Courses of Study so I could plan doing Econ + Government majors and International Relations + German minors. I even planned how much flexibility I had and listed course options for requirements so I wouldn’t be stuck if two necessary classes were at the same time.</p>
<p>What strikes me as a more viable option (if you want any sort of meaningful flexibility) would be to double major in Econ and CS, and do a math minor.</p>