Mathematics Students discussion
what is everyone studying?
message 1:
by
Puloma
(new)
Jul 01, 2011 10:49AM

reply
|
flag

Topology, knot theory mostly. Just got done with Skein Module theory in the spring'11. I also receive a pretty good dose of Algebraic Geometry (pain to learn but very important). Nice to meet you all.

nice to meet everyone!

Regardless of your field of study in grad school, I find that Linear Algebra is one of the most used subjects on a regular basis.


It is the standard qualification in England (the one after GCSEs but before University).


That's really cool. My school only offered topology once so far and, I think, that was at the grad level. I know Abstract Algebra is taught only at the grad level, that's cool that you get to see it as an undergrad.

That's really cool. My schoo..."
Ya, my university is pretty weird like that. Not that I'm complaining. A lot of the students in my classes are grad students, so I'm not sure what classes I would be taking if I were to decide to go to grad school for math, considering I'm taking most of those classes as an undergrad.


Ya, probably. So far I'm not sure if math grad school is even in my future, so maybe I'll never have to find out!
Has anyone here taken topology already? I've heard it's pretty hard, and I have no idea what to expect content-wise.

Topology is not difficult at all, as in it is not complicated to learn. It is all about what types of things stay the same between two related objects when we no longer require them to have the same size/distance between points. Ie., when you see a ring, you know its a ring irrespective of its size, and when you see a rubber band looped in a knot, or kite knots, you also know they are rings. The aim is then to see how we can objectively see that all these objects are indeed rings and what properties unify all of those objects. Ie., what is the objective description of "ring-like object"?
we can then go further and ask "What types of objects are there?" and "How do we know if objects can be physically deformed into each other or not?" and so forth. We also get the notion of holes in spaces affecting integration and other analytical properties of the space including a much better ability to describe the solution spaces of differential equations of all types.
Topology has a ridiculously wide reach of applications, from analysis and graph theory to quantum field theory, number theory and as a lead-in to category theory.
If you want to get a taste of why topology is interesting without too much machinery, have a look at "Experiments in Topology", a very short Dover book. ( http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14... )
If you are a fan of pure mathematics, you will find an excellent grounding in the proper properties of spaces by studying not only the familiar real topology, but various other "might-have-been" or close topologies that are different in very small ways, but make huge differences in analytic results.
@Ronald, nice description and comment.
I am currently studying topology in grad school (knot theory). At the undergrad level you will probably find yourself studying point set topology. and/or are the best books for point set topology, IMO. Think of this course as doing mathematics without the concept of distance (i.e., a metric). Without distance, how do you differentiate two objects mathematically? Do the objects have holes? how many? is it smooth, rough(resp), is there a boundary or is it locally round like a sphere? Basic (point set) topology looks to compare mathematical objects upto homeomorphisms. After point set topology things get really fun with subjects like knot/braid theory, homology and other algebraic topology, differential geometry and/or 4 manifolds, combinatorial topology, tqft's, Dessin D'enfant, just to name a few.
I am currently studying topology in grad school (knot theory). At the undergrad level you will probably find yourself studying point set topology. and/or are the best books for point set topology, IMO. Think of this course as doing mathematics without the concept of distance (i.e., a metric). Without distance, how do you differentiate two objects mathematically? Do the objects have holes? how many? is it smooth, rough(resp), is there a boundary or is it locally round like a sphere? Basic (point set) topology looks to compare mathematical objects upto homeomorphisms. After point set topology things get really fun with subjects like knot/braid theory, homology and other algebraic topology, differential geometry and/or 4 manifolds, combinatorial topology, tqft's, Dessin D'enfant, just to name a few.


I am planning to learn more about geometry. I would like to study hyperbolic geometry and topology. I also want to know more about applied math, particularly if there is a geometric interpretation or a connection to biology. Number theory keeps snagging me, though if you asked me, I would swear I have no interest in it.


My main interests though are in the algebraic and analytic theories of numbers, which I'm following on my own. At uni I enjoyed Galois theory, group theory and representations, measure theory, Fourier analysis and complex analysis.

Thanks for the comment. I'm finally taking Topology this semester as I quite enjoyed Real Analysis. I don't really like the book we're using, so my professor recommended "Topology" by Munkres and that's great! I love that book so much. I'm really falling in love with analysis, so next semester I'm going to be taking "Analysis on Manifolds", "Differential Geometry" and "Functional Analysis". I would also like to learn "Measure Theory", but I need to find a prof willing to teach me. I think I know someone for the Fall, but if not, I may just teach myself over the summer. But I also need to read Baby Rudin, to really hone my skills with Real.



i am a math undergraduate student currently in 2nd year, studying galois theory, vector calculus, differential equations

I am almost the same as Ashley. Not a political major, but I am interested in math and in reviewing/teaching myself more. I have had 2 years of High School Algebra, 1 semester of College Algebra, 1 year of HS Geometry (my worst math), and a year of HS Trig/Math Analysis. Been out of both high school and college a long time, and miss the math.
Theresa


Sure, but never miss an opportunity to talk about it with a professor of the topic, or uppergraduates. There are many avenues and crossroads that can be opened easily through discussion that may not be apparent from a particular author's text. It helps to self-study as you are able to bypass basic questions and get to much deeper issues in class than you would have if you were learning the terminologies and applications for the first time.

I miss the formal work, but a doctorate degree is out of the question for me for at least several more years.

I just took out a book titled The N Vortex Problem: Analytical Techniques by Paul Newton. Does anyone here study fluid flow from a complex analysis perspective?




im an engineering student. currently on lin. Algebra and multivariable calculus...at the 'pedestrian' level. Ill be studying differential equations, algebra 2 (abstract?) statistics, and set theory in the future!
math is intense.
math is intense.

In any case, I look forward to getting to know you all. :)

With respect to mathematics, I'm studying algorithms using The Algorithm Design Manual, free lecture videos from Princeton and MIT (through coursera and iTunes university), and Introduction to Algorithms, and discrete mathematics using Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer Science.
So far The Algorithm Design Manual and Concrete Mathematics are a lot of fun.
So far The Algorithm Design Manual and Concrete Mathematics are a lot of fun.

Now, I've been reading a bit on cryptography (just finished Singh's The Code Book and loved it), though I currently lack the programming skills to efficiency solve some of the more complex classic ciphers. There are too many branches of mathematics that I want to master, and I have difficulty focusing on one subject for an extended period.
Kevin wrote: "Hey, all! I just completed my first year of an associate of science degree at my local community college. I'll be taking Calc III, Linear Algebra, and Physics in the fall. I spent a lot of time on ..."
you're on the verge of reaching a math horizon that will allow you to focus...
you're on the verge of reaching a math horizon that will allow you to focus...
Kevin wrote: "Hey, all! I just completed my first year of an associate of science degree at my local community college. I'll be taking Calc III, Linear Algebra, and Physics in the fall. I spent a lot of time on ..."
Adam wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Hey, all! I just completed my first year of an associate of science degree at my local community college. I'll be taking Calc III, Linear Algebra, and Physics in the fall. I spent a l..."
of course there'sprobably horizons everywhere....some tough terrain
Adam wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Hey, all! I just completed my first year of an associate of science degree at my local community college. I'll be taking Calc III, Linear Algebra, and Physics in the fall. I spent a l..."
of course there'sprobably horizons everywhere....some tough terrain