Mathematics Department and 171-174 sequence

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Rochester
1

<p>I am considering attending the University of Rochester next year as a prospective math major. I am interested specifically in "pure" mathematics, and am interested in attending graduate school for it to hopefully someday be able to teach and/or do research at a university. Before asking any specific questions, I was wondering if anyone could give any anecdotal advise regarding the mathematics department there, specifically MTH 171-174 and the subsequent honors courses.</p>

<p>To clarify my situation before asking my main question, I am well aware of the jump between AP Calculus and abstract, proof-based math such as analysis. I took AP Calculus last year and, out of my own interest, supplemented it by reading through Spivak in my free time. This piqued my interest and I studied a cheap Dover book on introductory analysis afterwards (one which included metric spaces), followed by some discontinuous studies of subjects like linear algebra and multivariable calculus online. I tried to keep my study of analysis focused though, and recently purchased a copy of baby Rudin and have been slowly working my way through each chapter and exercise. </p>

<p>So in summary, I am familiar with proofs, especially analytic ones. I have a good grasp of epsilon-delta's and understand how they can be used beyond simple limits. This puts me in an uncertain situation, because on the one hand I lack formal instruction in these subjects, but on the other I am worried about starting my undergraduate education in a less-than-ideal position. </p>

<p><a href="http://www.math.rochester.edu/undergraduate/handbook/ap.html"&gt;http://www.math.rochester.edu/undergraduate/handbook/ap.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>On this page, it suggests that there are cases in which certain students may start with 173, but I cannot find anything else. Does anyone know anything about this? If it is actually a thing, how feasible might it be for someone in a position like mine? Would it be a good decision to accelerate myself like this, or foolish to skip the formal instruction of 171-172?</p>

<p>Thank you in advance to anyone with any advice!</p>

2

<p>D2 was an applied math major at UR.</p>

<p>UR’s math dept is small, supportive and very responsive to its students.</p>

<p>I can’t specifically answer your question about where to start, but I will suggest that you contact Prof. Gonek who teaches MTH173 and ask him if your work has adequately prepared you for his class. (He’s a nice guy and will probably get back to you if you email him.)</p>

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<p>FYI, you will probably not be able to pre-register for MTH 173 during summer freshman pre-registration because it takes an departmental advisor’s approval to do so. Don’t worry about it. During freshman orientation, all new students will have a meeting with an academic advisor. It’s a mandatory part of the freshman registration process.</p>

<p>One other option to consider— you can register for and attend both MTH 171 and 173 in the fall and see which one better fits your needs/placement and then drop the other class without penalty during the drop-add period.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the advice. I will email him.</p>

4

<p>My son took 173 last semester and there was a freshman girl who started right into that class. It is an extremely rigorous, in depth class series and I know some kids - one of them probably reading this - who I’d consider to be of genius caliber who started at 171. </p>