Highly proof-based math courses for undergrads

[JoeTrumpet]

Hello, everyone!

I am beginning college next fall, and I am unsure of where I will/should head in mathematics. My school offers several theory-based courses that are more rigorous and extremely focused on proofs, though this comes at the expense of some application. They tend to be geared toward math majors. Do you think it's a good idea to take a course like this as a physics major? I really enjoy math, and I think it'd be a great experience to try a course like this, but do you suggest trying these courses after I get my more typical courses that have a stronger balance of application and theory out of the way?

My math background is getting a 5 on the Calculus AB exam after independent study last year, and I've touched lightly on some BC topics. I am considering covering the rest of BC calc over the summer.

In case this is of any significance, I am definitely starting in a typical physics 101 course for physics majors, and after a few weeks they will decide if I should be placed in honors. My physics background is very basic.

Thanks!

 

[zhentil]

By all means, try the theoretical course. If you can do it, you'll be much better prepared for classes down the road. In lower-level classes, the "applications" are usually designed to motivate the theory, not the other way round. For instance, you may learn how to calculate centers of mass, etc.

 

[ice109]

take the pure math courses, if nothing else they'll be fun.