I’m a math major entering the first semester of my sophomore year and this is my planned schedule.
Elementary Number Theory
Linear Algebra (Proof-based and computational)–for math majors
Discrete Mathematics
Introduction to Computer Science
Calculus II
This will put me at 18 credit hours. Has anyone taken these classes, or experienced a similar workload? If so, how did you manage it?
Intro to CS can vary a lot - it can be an incredibly hard class at some places and sort of easy at others. Is the class made for non-CS majors or is it the first in the major track sequence?
Discrete and Linear Algebra will be relatively easy, especially for a math major.
Calculus II can be hard for some, easier for others. It’s not an impossible class, but it isn’t a full cakewalk.
I haven’t taken number theory, but I’ve heard it’s a hard but interesting class.
Overall it’s a lot, but it should be doable. It does strike me as odd that you’re bulking up on all major classes so early - it could be just a bit easier to add in a class that isn’t math. There’s also the risk that all the classes start to blur together and cause problems that way. 4 math classes worth of homework could build up quick too. Unless there’s a specific reason you’re doing this, switching a math class for another subject could be nice.
The CS class is an into to the discipline of computing, the programming language C++, computer algorithms, loops and flow of control, procedural abstraction, functions, streams, arrays, strings, objects and classes, polymorphism and operator overloading, professional societies, professionalism and ethics, pointers, dynamic memory, and dynamic arrays.
I know little to nothing about computer science and petty much all of the topics i just listed are foreign to me.
I might take an elementary CS class for nonmajors or a non-calculus based physics class to lessen the load. All the math classes were recommended to me by my adviser. I want to get into a math PhD program and to be competitive, I need to take graduate classes junior or senior year, so I feel a little rushed because I’m behind about a year.
Given your situation, I guess the courseload makes sense - I don’t think downgrading your CS class makes sense - I would move it a semester later before I downgraded.
What is currently slated for your Spring schedule? Is it a lot more math classes or is there more space?
There is a lot more math classes next semester and they will be significantly more difficult.
Most likely I’ll be taking:
Calculus III
Elementary Differential Equations
Modern Algebra
Independent Study (topic currently unknown, might be on number theory or set theory and only 1-2 credit hours)
Introduction to Computer Science II ?
Well if you’re going to be going all math from here on out, I would stick with your schedule, if anything as a test of your ability to handle the work for future semesters.
Good luck!
A non-calculus-based physics course may be less interesting and perhaps more difficult since it may be harder to understand the physics if the instructor hand-waves around the math (since you presumably like math and are good at it).