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187 points ibobev | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.245s | source
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jhanschoo ◴[] No.43676161[source]
> and serving as the key prerequisite for upper-division courses such as abstract algebra, analysis, linear algebra & number theory.

I was slightly taken aback by this phrasing in the preface as I was under the impression that undergrad math programs introduce foundations ASAP and typically start proof-based classes around end of freshman/start of sophomore.

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aoki ◴[] No.43676997[source]
In the US, the standard course sequence (e.g. at a good state university) is two years of calculus, diffeqs, and linear algebra (all taught as on-paper computation) concurrently with a course in discrete mathematics. The discrete mathematics course often doubles as an introduction to proof (as is apparently the case at UCI). Year 3 typically covers proof-based analysis, algebra, and linear algebra and some electives. Year 4 is typically electives.

At a fancy school, you can often take proof-based honors versions of Year 1-2 courses but you still may not get to skip over all of Year 3. Think: calculus using Spivak and real analysis using Rudin.

At Harvard, you can take Math 55, which is essentially Year 3 above (plus complex analysis) in Year 1.

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1. jhanschoo ◴[] No.43677665[source]
Thanks, I was unaware of that. I wasn't a math major, but from schoolmates I got the impression that we have the same mix of topics taught computationally vs. proof-based as you listed, students started on analysis and algebra at year 2 and the honors did that in more generality