which math?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>i'll be a freshman next year, and debating which math class to take. i'm strongly considering a math major, but i'm not sure. i took bc calc jr year and a rigorous proof-based algebra class this past year (mostly lots of group theory), so in theory i should be able to take 25... but there's a catch, which is that i don't remember calc very well. read between the lines: i can't integrate to save my ass (figured this out pretty quickly on the placement test). i got through bc literally memorizing formulas while walking up the three flights of stairs to class (and forgetting them by the time i walked back down...). but at the same time, i really like proof based math, and i think i'm pretty good at it. so um, suggestions?</p>

2

<p>take 55 if you have ballz</p>

3

<p>Is 55 difficult ?
<a href=“http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/courses.html[/url]”>http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/courses.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>I mean, my room mate this past year didn’t have too much trouble with it. However, he did disprove a theorem in high school.</p>

5

<p>Math 55 is extremely difficult.</p>

6

<p>Have you checked out the Math Department’s web site: [Harvard</a> Mathematics Department : Courses in Mathematics (2010-2011)](<a href=“http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/courses.html]Harvard”>http://www.math.harvard.edu/pamphlets/courses.html)</p>

7

<p>During the first week the math department will hold office hours in which you’ll have the opportunity to meet with a professor to go over your concerns. They’ll have better advice than anyone on here.</p>

8

<p>Does anyone have any experience with 25/55? I’ve done my share of proofs (USAMO qualifier, etc) but dunno if I should commit so much time in my first year…</p>

<p>Noam Elkies is teaching 55, though. Makes me wanna take it so much more!</p>

9

<p>^ Even better because he will be a math teacher who has an accent which people can actually understand! Now if only we just understand the math coming out of it…</p>

<p>As for the OP: Not only can to meet with professors and stuff but also there is shopping week so you can attend classes of Math 23, 25 and 55 during that week and decide for yourself based on the nature of the classes whoch one you should take. Also mad props to you for diving into Group Theory without any Linear Algbera.</p>