<p>I am wondering what sort of experience I would have as a math major at UVa? I am not certain I will major in math, but I am thinking of double majoring in math and Chem at this point. I really like everything at UVa. Just want to make sure about the quality of the math department. Deciding between UVa, Northwestern and Johns Hopkins.
thanks.</p>
<p>UVa math is very theoretical, taught by mostly non-native English speakers, and many classes are locked out until 3rd year. Early classes ( mainly Calc II) are used as weed out classes. I don’t regret majoring in math, as this is the kind of education you get at a research university, so I doubt you would have different experiences at any of the schools you listed, but be aware that that is how sciences and maths are taught at those kind of schools. I tended to search out the native English speakers and the professors who enjoyed teaching and that was fine.</p>
<p>I’m no math major here, but I have worked through DiffEq to supplement my physical sciences. I transferred to UVA last Fall. Let me just confirm, for the classes I’ve taken, the theory-heavy nature. It took me back a bit as my previous calculus courses weren’t in that vein. I have found the difficulty level to be rather challenging. </p>
<p>And, as always, the recommendation to be selective with professors is an important one. Sometimes it can’t be helped or you don’t know the TA. BUT when I’ve had the option, picking a professor you have reviewed is for the best.</p>
<p>Hazelorb- Thank you for the information. How hard do you think it would be to double in math and chem? Can I ask if/how you used your math degree after UVa? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it would definitely be doable to double major. Math is a flexible major.
I’m a teacher so I’m not using the theoretical math in the normal way you are thinking of…</p>
<p>I’m currently a math major at UVA, and I thought I should also share my experiences.</p>
<p>It is true, in a sense, that you’re locked out of advanced classes for a while, since lots of them require Calc I-III. However, if you have Calc I and II from AP, then you can take Calc III first semester and you’ll be fine. In general the department is not very strict about prereqs (other than calc), so you should be able to take what you want after that. I haven’t had any problems with getting the courses I’ve wanted, although I had a bit of an easier time because I came in with Calc I-III.</p>
<p>Math classes do tend toward the theoretical, but in my opinion that’s what math is for. If you don’t want theoretical (which is fine!), that’s what statistics and physics are for.</p>
<p>I have not had an issue with accents. While there are many foreign faculty members, I’ve never found them to be difficult to understand. The grad students sometimes are, but basically no classes are taught by grad students past calculus, and few classes have TAs or rely on them heavily when they do. Of course, being selective with your professors is always helpful.</p>
<p>As hazelorb mentioned, math is a relatively flexible major, because there isn’t much of a required order to the classes. Chemistry, on the other hand, has a reputation for being difficult, with an inflexible schedule, but if you also want to major in math you should be able to work the math classes around that.</p>
<p>I meant that I came in with Calc III and Diff Eq and still was locked out of classes until 3rd year, not because of prereqs but because of small class size and lack of priority registration compared to upperclassmen. However what you say about flexible scheduling is true, I just took other math classes that I needed until I could register for the ones I wanted. The basic requirement for everything is Calc II which is great for flexible scheduling.</p>