<p>If you have taken intro to linear algebra and differential equations before going to Berkeley, what are the subsequent classes like? I'm a math major, and I'm scared that I will get slaughtered at UCB due to competitive students and stringent professors. More importantly, how big are the classes? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>knowing some people who got there, as long as you love math, then don’t be scared, they’ll foster your interest, if you find math troubling and hard, then go somewhere else.</p>
<p>usually the cutthroat classes are pre-med courses or business courses or engineering, everything else, not so much</p>
<p>Really? That’s relieving to hear!</p>
<p>If you’re a pure math major, upper division courses are very little like lower division courses. You’ll make use of some skills that you’ve developed–like the ability to parse an equation or statement into its constituent parts–but the coursework is almost entirely proof based. I suggest you try to take their intro proofs course during the summer, so you can take a taste of either their algebra or analysis series your first year there. Honestly, pure math is one of the most abstruse majors. I think it’s the only major that, if you show your notes to some non-initiate, they absolutely can not have any idea what they mean.</p>
<p>If you’re applied, then it’s a bit different. Your courses will be more like what you’ve already experienced.</p>