[Math Major]When to take real analysis for math major?

Student Lounge College Life
1

I was reading the comments that people made about real analysis, and got quite scared about the course.
I am a sophomore now and I understand that I have to take the course. Should I take it during the summer which is one month or should I take it during the regular semester which is about 3 months?
My consideration is that the pain can be ended early and short if I take it during the summer, and some people may say doing it during the regular semester can make the knowledge more solid. But during regular semester, I’ll be juggling 5 different courses whereas during the summer I am probably justing going to take 2 courses max, and therefore it seems take it during the summer to be a better option?

2

No, do not take it during the summer! I would be surprised if it’s even offered over the summer. At my university, people usually take it junior or senior year (I just finished taking it as a senior while taking 5 academic courses). It is a very, very difficult course and condensing it into one month is just asking for trouble. To put things in perspective, we covered about a chapter a week; if the course was one month long, you’d be covering 3-4 chapters a week. That’s difficult in such a proof heavy course, especially one in which topics build on one another.

3

Junior or senior year during a regular semester is the usual time, though students who are very advanced in math may take it earlier.

It is sometimes recommended that students take some other usually-seen-as-less-difficult proof-oriented math course (e.g. linear algebra with proofs, abstract algebra) before real analysis.

4

Take it whatever semester the best professor teaches it. That’s the most important thing.

5

I took a math course during the off season for school and it was a nightmare. One month where the work was condensed and I really didn’t have the time to let the work sink in . It’s easier if the class is stretched out over a few months imo. If the course was easier for you that’s the only time I’d recommend winter or summer sessions.

6

Thanks for the advices! I will take it in my junior year.