I dislike calculus/analysis. Can I still get to do research in math?

isqrith
Mon, 14 Jul 2014 17:28:13 +0000

I finished high school and will enroll in a college with a top math program this fall. About my mathematical tastes: I love number theory, and also like combinatorics and algebra(linear and abstract included). I’m nearly IMO-level at number theory, and good at algebra and combinatorics. I had a precocious aptitude for math, participated in national and international contests and sometimes had really original insights during them(found remarkable formulas on my own).

However, I don’t like calculus. I had 2 years of calculus in HS, and find little pleasure in studying it. It doesn’t arouse my curiosity, I often find calculus proofs quite artificial, and can’t understand how some people can solve difficult analysis problems(not talking about homework here). I did enjoy learning a few theoretical things, like Taylor series, but I don’t think I ever solved an analysis problem for pure fun.

So, I’d like to become a mathematician, but use very little analysis. Is this even possible? Of course, I know that I have to take real&complex analysis and differential equations as an undergrad, but afterwards, how much analysis would I have to take in graduate school(in a great PhD program)?