<p>Hmm, the hardest math I have probably done has been the mixture of abstract math and applied math required for finite elements, particularly for constructing adaptive codes for multidimensional nonlinear problems. Back when I first learned branch cuts in complex analysis, that confused me as well.</p>
<p>One of the cooler maths, in my opinion, has been variational calculus though. Nothing too tough but I really enjoy it. That and linear/nonlinear programming are awesome.</p>
<p>Most engineering majors won’t need to take the proof-heavy upper division math courses that many (not all) consider to be more difficult (real analysis, abstract algebra, and the like).</p>
<p>Computer science majors often do have to take computer science theory courses that are like proof-heavy math courses. Abstract algebra and number theory may be useful for those going into cryptography.</p>
<p>Oh I’ll just go ahead and brag: I never really struggled with a math class, fortunately every math class I’ve had in my college career was small and taught by competent teachers. It also helps that I studied all of single-variable calculus before starting.</p>
<p>HOWEVS, I did take an “error analysis” course in physics that was all about statistics and distributions, and I struggled to understand a lot of the material there. Our textbook was watered down and worthless for understanding the “why” of anything (it was all: here’s the formula, now solve these problems), our teacher was a somewhat cantankerous Malaysian guy who I was scared to ask a question of after learning he’d react with shock at my not understanding something and give an explanation that didn’t help.</p>
<p>In retrospect, I should have bought the more rigourous text he recommended because I just didn’t understand the one we had, and the lecture notes were just too brief.</p>
<p>Also, I’m thinking of taking complex analysis this Summer, which may humble me.</p>
<p>jmilton90, what is “real” linear algebra?</p>
<p>FWIW, in quantum mechanics the linear algebra is like some weird alien version.</p>
<p>Probable double major in math.</p>
<p>I’ve taken Calc 1,2,3, Diffy Q, Linear Algebra, Probability Theory, and now am in Real Analysis.</p>
<p>Hardest so far was Linear Algebra, it was an honors-level proofs-based course, hough Analysis will probably be harder. Third place goes to Probability theory, it wasn’t a proof course but it was 400-level. None of these classes are needed for an engineering degree, though.</p>
<p>Of the typical undergrad engineering math classes, (calc 1,2,3, and a combination diffyq/linear algebra for most majors), I think people have the most trouble with calc 2, since for many engineers it is their first college math class. I hear it is the most-failed class on campus, though that includes non-engineers.</p>
<p>What is the highest math class it can ever offer on this planet?</p>
<p>I don’t know if there can be a “hardest math on the planet” since the difficulty of a type of math varies from person to person. </p>
<p>However, check the Millennium Problems that have yet to be solved. Some very complex math goes into them!</p>
<p>I don’t mean the hardest. I mean the highest math class a university can offer</p>
<p>The Hardest is any…I repeat any math classes that anyone gets only C not A in class.
The highest math class is oral exam or written exam for Phd in Topology class…but dont quote me since I have just heard about it and I am not math major.</p>
<p>I’m a freshman, considering either a minor or a second major in math (my first is Computer Science) and so far I’ve taken BC Calc (Calc I and II) and am now in honors Linear Algebra and honors Discrete Math. Linear Algebra is probably the toughest of any of them so far.</p>
<p>One of my friends, a junior majoring in math, is in Abstract Algebra and Geometry and he says Abstract isn’t that bad compared to what he’d done before. He does recall Linear Algebra being very tedious, though not difficult conceptually.</p>
<p>Linear Algebra is the hardest math class I’ve taken and I’m done with my math classes at my university. There was more vocabulary in that class than in my intro. Spanish course!</p>
<p>“Hardest” math class is a bit of a relative concept. I took Calculus I last semester and it turned out to be the ****tiest class ever-the professor was horrible, the TA was a jerk. I worked my ass off and I could not believe my grade, I got a C-</p>
<p>Anyways, I started Calculus II this semester and I have been able to maintain an A to B average- my Calculus II professor is amazing. He explains things very well and my tutor is also amazing. My advisor gave me several lectures about this course, saying that it was the hardest course in the IE program, etc- so far I have not found it extremely difficult perhaps challenging but still easier than Mechanics(in my opinion)</p>
<p>A good teacher, a good TA, and a good tutor can make all the difference in the world.</p>
<p>I took only the basic MechE math requirements, no extras. I didn’t really like Diff Eq, but the hardest for me was Boundary Value Problems. BVP sounds a bit like the Advanced Engineering Math others mentioned - Bessel, Fourier, etc…supposedly good for grad school prep. Ha, never was interested in grad school after that.</p>
<p>Linear Algebra ( junior lever) is the first difficult math class that engineering / science majors take.</p>
<p>After the sophomore level, the classes that have the simpler sounding ones are usually the hardest. Case in point, my “introduction to linear algebra” class was proof based and way harder than “linear algebra for scientists and engineers”. If I had it to so over again I’d take the latter.</p>
<p>My Calc teacher said that complex analysis was his hardest class but it was because he didn’t show up to class.</p>
<p>^^So true. If I had no knowledge of math, number theory and real analysis would sound like joke classes to me.</p>
<p>So far for me it’s been complex analysis, only C I have in a math class. I took about 2 weeks of partial diff eq before dropping it, and that class was incredibly difficult right from the start, have to take it again now. Linear algebra, diff eq, proofs, vector calc were all pretty easy. I’m an optical engineering major and the math we do in those classes is damn hard as well. Google fraunhofer diffraction integral if you wanna see some. As far as grad school, a buddy of mine is working on his PhD in abstract algebra. That stuff is nuts.</p>
<p>The most difficult math class I have taken was Algebraic Topology, but that does not come up in engineering curricula.</p>
<p>hardest math course? I will say it’s geometry. It is very complex and boring, learning about shapes and formulas. </p>