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In need of advice: How do I become a mathematician?
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[QUOTE="jedishrfu, post: 6861128, member: 376845"] My two cents worth is that Mathematics is a vast subject, compared to what you learned in high school a minute sliver of what is available. The big four college courses: - Calculus 1,2,3 - Linear Algebra - Differential Equations - Statistics It is what everyone in STEM majors should cover in college, but they too represent mere slivers from a vast whole that is mathematics. One decision you will first have to make after taking your core courses is what type of math you like: - applied math - pure math This youtube video can give you a 10,000 feet overview of the various fields of Mathematics: [MEDIA=youtube]OmJ-4B-mS-Y[/MEDIA] As others have said don't overthink things, don't have preconceptions, discover your limits, your likes and dislikes and don't skip more fundamental courses to get to the good stuff. When I entered college, I had some preconceived notions of how things worked and was suprememly confident in my abilities to learn anything so I skipped over Differential Calculus and jumped into Integral Calculus. Later, I repeated my mistake by skipping over several courses to take Abstract Topology. I was a junior physics major among senior math majors with no experience in doing proofs or real knowledge of Abstract Algebra. It was a disaster that the prof admired my tenacity and helped me squeak through with a C. At the time I thought these shortcuts were smart moves. However, upon reflection years later I realized I missed some important foundational concepts and the chance to get better grades as my GPA suffered. Bottomline, don't be that person follow your advisors course sequence advice and soak up all you can. Study hard, do lots of problems, collaborate with fellow students, decide what you like and don't like mathematically and enjoy your college life. Once you start working you will miss the freedom you once had. Some guidance from Purdue Univ on your future as a mathematician and lists of some other sites you can check out: [URL='https://www.purdue.edu/science/careers/what_can_i_do_with_a_major/Career%20Pages/mathematician.html']https://www.purdue.edu/science/careers/what_can_i_do_with_a_major/Career Pages/mathematician.html[/URL] Indeed provides further information on a career as a mathematician: [URL]https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-mathematician[/URL] [/QUOTE]
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