<p>So what classes would a math major on the "honors" track take at Princeton, especially for a freshman? For any students who know the department, how is it? the faculty? What's the difficulty level of classes like Analysis in a Single Variable (MAT 215), Honors Linear Algebra (MAT 217), and what books do they use, etc?</p>
<p>As a prospective math major, I'd like to know too.</p>
<p>Most freshmen who intend to major in math take 215, but all the IMO kids seem to be taking 217. The catalog suggests 215 -> 203 -> 217 (203 and 217 interchangeable), but I also know of other people (one of my friends, for example) who are taking 218 following 217.</p>
<p>Textbooks:
MAT 201: Finney-Late, Weir, Giordano , Thomas' Calculus
MAT 202: Bretscher , Linear Algebra with Applications (required)
MAT 203: Marsden & Tromba , Vector Calculus
MAT 204: Strang , Linear Algebra and its Applications
MAT 214: Niven, Zuckerman, and Montgomery , An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers
I'm not exactly sure about 215 or 217--you'd have to ask someone who's taken the class.
MAT 218: W. Rudin , Principles of Mathematical Analysis
Spivak , Calculus on Manifolds</p>
<p>These classes are, obviously, much more difficult than the classes you'll have taken in high school. It really depends on how well you're able to think in math--some people have trouble with 201 alone, while others have no problem with 217.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>No math is ever "hard" it's just a matter of following a recipe and knowing how to manipulate it. You need to know the concepts and be able to manipulate them to the situation. Of course, I'm only speaking for myself and not everyone else, but I've never not received an A in a math course simply because if I find something I cannot do (which has been approximately four times) I go to the book and learn the subject until I can do any problem thrown at me.</p>
<p>I just do not want math as my major because I don't want to sit at a desk and do math all the time, thought I surely could. I've chosen chemistry as my major (and I'm well aware of the math involved) but at least it will be applied math (in a way).</p>
<p>Calculus, I think that assessment of 'math' is a bit off-base and probably brought on by lack of exposure to in-depth mathematics. As you explore further into math, especially at a top-school like Princeton, it's not rote application but involves intense though and ingenuity.</p>
<p>i agree with windslicer..</p>
<p>there is more to math than the problems we've solved in hs.</p>
<p>Wind, I've taken the highest possible math available to me: AP BC Calculus as a sophomore, Calc 2 at University of Florida as a junior, and AP Statistics as a senior.</p>
<p>And space, I agree, I was just saying that it's never "hard." You just have to know the concept and what not. Math is essentially just manipulations.</p>
<p>Yeah I've taken Calc II at my local community college (1st in nation for technology, tho, so it's decent) last year and Calc III next semester. What I'm referring to is analysis.. I have no personal experience but from what I hear it's a bit more intellectually stimulating. I guess we'll find out soon enough, heh. Hopefully at Princeton :)</p>
<p>Man, I hope I get into Princeton lol.</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>also for someone who is not necessarily interested in majoring in math (engineering or physics) but still enjoys math and is good at it.... having completed calc BC and received a 5... what is an appropriate course sequence. </p>
<p>I mean i love math and havent had any trouble in the past, but i have heard that for some the honors sequence may be too much. What courses would i take freshman year.. and are the texts listed above going to be used next year as well. Would i take 203, 204 first and then 215 and 217... also where does 218 come in. Sorry for my ignorance but i dont have a course book..</p>
<p>a current student's opinion would be especially helpful</p>
<p>Well I guess the one good thing about Calculus's desire to "wiggle out" is that no one at P'ton will have to hear about his misinformed and naive views about mathematics. Try telling USAMO guys that mathematics is just following a recipe...</p>
<p>218 is a very rigorous multivariable class, basically. It's one of the first "real math" classes you'll take. I do know a guy taking it fall of freshman year (again, an IMO guy). I also know a guy who took 300-level math courses this fall freshman year (complex analysis), which is kindof mindblowing. Anyhow, the people in the math dept don't really care about your prerequisites. If you show up, and you can keep up with the class, you're in.</p>
<p>214 is a pretty fun class if you like math but don't know how far you'll pursue it. It's an intro to proofs/number theory class. 215 is more difficult (single variable analysis) -- some find it "not too bad" while others, even those I think are quite brilliant, call it "deathmath." I think the two groups are pretty evenly divided. 217 (Advanced Linear Algebra) is also a viable option, though it'll take a fair bit of effort (so I'm told). It's rigorous linear algebra, so it doesn't really have prerequisites. Having said that, you should have a good concept of diff eqs/partial derivative and other common sense anyhow. :p</p>
<p>How many IMOers are at Princeton?</p>
<p>My roommate's a prospective math major and according to her Princeton's the absolute best place for math. She's taking 215 first semseter freshman year, nicknamed "Calculus made hard" because you really take apart Calculus to understand it. How many IMOers? I'm not sure, but there are at least two gold medalists in my class. I second that with the math classes, the prereqs aren't that important. If you can handle it, you're welcome. Warning about that though, doing well in AP Calc BC does not gaurantee you'll do well in Princeton's high level and proof-based math courses. There's a lot more to theoretical math than that!</p>
<p>Hm... Quirkily, how many do you know? There are three IMOers in my writing seminar alone; I'm not acquainted with any of the others but I know they exist. Every year, most if not all of the Romanian and Moldovan IMO team members come to Princeton.</p>
<p>I don't know any. The reason that I asked was I was wondering if honors classes are geared toward IMO-type students or if they are geared to the highly intelligent but not protogenius level.</p>
<p>No, they're not "geared toward" freshmen of IMO-caliber math ability -- they are geared toward people with a genuine interest in pure math. The IMO guys I know all refer to their honors math courses as something along the lines of a "fun challenge" -- not truly difficult. Also, there is usually even a precocious high school student or two in maths 214-218, and some of these do exceptionally well.</p>