<p>How about the math program in WushU? I know it has great pre-med program, I would like to know how good math dept. is</p>
<p>In the event that no students answer you, I’ll pass along my son’s opinion. He’s a math major at WashU and has been very happy with the quality of the department, both in terms of the professors and his fellow students. </p>
<p>If you end up matriculating, consider taking the freshman seminar in math, if you qualify. It is a multi-variable calculus class for kids who scored a 5 on the AP Calculus exam and want to explore the concepts in a more rigorous manner than the regular class. It is limited to 15 freshmen, so you get to really know the professor. Difficult, but worth it if you love math. And for those who find it to be too much, there is a regular section of mv that meets at the same time that they can drop down into.</p>
<p>The general consensus is that the lover level (up to DiffEQ and matrix) suck. There are a few good professors, but a lot of them are horrid.</p>
<p>However, once you’re taking advanced classes (sophomore year +), I’ve heard nothing but great things about the department.</p>
<p>I took the freshmen seminar last semester, and if you like math and don’t mind proofs, it’s a good class. Credit-wise, it’s a replacement to taking Calculus 3, and covers much of the same material, but focuses more on theory and rigor. Last semester, HWs were weekly psets (mostly proofs), and the tests were take home, and group collaboration was encouraged–they take a long time, but they’re rewarding, and in general the grading is easier than the regular Calc 3 class.</p>
<p>My gripe is that there is no actual statistics department. There’s a small applied statistics program, and then the math department offers 1-2 stat courses a semester (and some additional courses offered by ESE). This really only matters if you plan on a career in statistics or something similar. There’s also a severe lack of applied math courses.
If you’re interested in pure math (analysis, topology,… (310, 308, 318, 4111, 4121, 417, 418) or algebra (429, 430, 370) then Wash U is a great place for both undergrad and masters.
If you’re interested in other types of math, maybe look elsewhere.</p>
<p>^Re my above post… after rereading it probably really only matters if you really know what type of math you want now, which is probably uncommon. The main problem is the stat courses are offered in two year rotations, i.e. if class x is in Fall 2010, then it won’t be offered again until Fall 2012. Lowering this to every year would make the math department at Wash U much better.
And a rework of the Masters in Statistics program, but I hear that’s coming…</p>
<p>It’s also a large department (which I think is nice)…made a lot better by the Chauvenet Lecturer Post-Doc program that brings in some really amazing, enthusiastic mathematicians (Moen, Woodroofe are awesome).</p>
<p>There are also some people in the department that couldn’t teach a monkey how to eat a banana. </p>
<p>Just my 2 cents, pm if want more info/have questions.</p>