Thank you! This is really helpful. In college, is it typical to take just one class from a ‘track’ each semester, or is it more common to take multiple math courses from different tracks at the same time?
For context, I see that Grinnell requires 32 credits for a math major, with each course counting for 4 credits—that averages out to one class per semester. But is it common (or better) to take more than the minimum required?
This is consistent with what I have seen at other very good LACs with not so big math programs. At the highest level, they are really leaning on “topics in . . .” sort of classes.
Which is not necessarily a terrible thing. Potentially a class like that could be flexible as to student interest and level, and I am sure the faculty teaching such classes would have lots of things they could present as options.
One thing you can consider doing is sort of map out a hypothetical four years of classes making sure you are fulfilling different requirements and interests in addition to your major, and following any pre-req rules. You don’t have to be overly precise with electives and such, but it might give you a realistic idea of what you would or would not need as options given your current interests.
I note this because I don’t think there is any good general answer as to how many classes a term would be specifically for your major. There is jist a lot of variation between how many credits you need and how they can be sequenced, in relation to your other classes.
That seems to be on the light side. Looking at the offerings in Grinnell’s math department at Mathematics Courses - Grinnell College - Modern Campus Catalog™ seems to indicate that the overall number of offerings is on the light side as well. It does not look like there is much in geometry/topology or logic/decidability, or some common topics like complex analysis, numerical analysis, and number theory.
For additional opportunities in mathematics, consider a semester in Budapest. This is from Grinnell’s description of the program:
To offer an opinion in the form of a scenario, I’d say that Grinnell with a Budapest semester would be stronger for the study of mathematics than Carleton without a Budapest semester.
Congrats on a great choice! My daughter also debated between Grinnell and Carleton for ED and ultimately chose (and was accepted to) Carleton. She agonized over this decision for months! A few things to consider: Carleton has trimesters, so students take 9 classes a year rather than 8. Grinnell only has one gen ed requirement which is a freshman writing class, leaving you complete freedom in your future classes. Many students at Grinnell double major because of this. Carleton does have requirements but it sounds like they are easy to meet. The travel to and from each school was a definite consideration. Getting to Minneapolis is a direct flight for us from the west coast and getting to Des Moines is 2 flights. Each school then requires a 45 min shuttle. My daughter liked both campuses although Grinnell is much more remote. I hope you can visit so you can see how it feels for you. It’s a 4-5 hour drive from Grinnell to Carleton if you are up for seeing both schools in one weekend! It can be done!
Let us know what you ultimately decide! If you end up at Carleton, you will be classmates with my daughter and I wish you the best of luck in your decision 