Pure math or Engineering?

[GLOBALTRAVELER]

<p>If the OP is interested in Math/Engineering, then a more applied math program would be needed.</p>

<p>For Industrial Engineering - operations research and optimization courses. Linear algebra is a prerequisite for those courses because of the matrix principles used in linear programming.</p>

<p>For Software Engineering - the CS core (Algorithms, Data Structures, Theory of Programming Languages & Operating Systems) plus extra CS electives.</p>

<p>I cannot comment on other engineering areas because I do not have either academic background or work experience in.</p>

[geo1113]

<p>@LakeCloud, oops, what I meant to say was I know the difference between rather and like.</p>

[noimagination]

<p>

As far as undergraduate courses are concerned, abstract algebra and real analysis have no formal prerequisites beyond experience with proofs and basic high school material. Depending on your particular school, these classes might require some linear algebra or might teach you linear algebra.

<a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/registrar/register/PDF/math.pdf[/url]”>Office of the University Registrar;

<p>Note the prerequisites for 360 and 370.</p>

[broken_symlink]

<p>I did both. Pure math and computer engineering with a minor in physics. I plan on going to grad school for math and getting a phd. Its a lot of work, but it seems like its worth it.</p>

[feuxfollets]

<p>Okay this discussion has gone way off track. My original intention was to tell the OP to take a proof based math course freshman year, possibly in addition to whatever he’s doing for engineering.</p>

<p>And please don’t quote things from the Penn College of Arts/Sciences, that place is full of bureaucratic nonsense. My real analysis professor said differently on the first day of class, hell half of my math professors comment on the first day of class how the registrar’s requirements are nonsense.</p>

[EddieD]

<p>Not to beat a dead horse, but linear and calc III are prerequisites for undergrad real analysis (we call it advanced calculus) and abstract algebra at my school.</p>

<p>But yeah, post-calculus math isn’t the same as calculus. It is more proof-based. I’m not saying that just because it is harder (though it is harder than previous courses as well), but it might not strike you as interesting. I’m a math major and I wanted to drill a nail through my hand while taking advanced calc II (second semester of undergrad real analysis/advanced calc of vector calculus).</p>

<p>My advice? Take the engineering schedule and advanced calc/undergrad real analysis when you can. Either A) not for you, and you can continue engineering, B) you decide to switch to math and use your eng prereqs to get out of CORE/GENED science requirements, or c) Minor/Major in Math and Major in Engineerng (Math major is small). This is assuming you’ll take adv calc relatively early in your college career (you can take it after calc iii and linear algebra).</p>

[ucbalumnus]

<p>

@feuxfollets

A first course in real analysis is meant to develop your mathematical maturity. You should take it sophomore year at the latest. If you have some proof experience already, then you can start with it freshman year. If not, take a course using Apostle or Spivak your freshman year.

</p>

<p>Real analysis is usually nominally a junior level math major course, although students advanced in math (probably typical of math majors) can take it earlier. It is often considered a relatively difficult math course, especially as one’s first proof-heavy math course. Some math departments offer or require a freshman or sophomore level course that introduces proof techniques. If offered, honors freshman and sophomore level math courses can also give more practice with proof techniques.</p>