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bignum
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I actually want to know, is it like four years of undergraduate mathematics crammed into one? Are there actually people who get like 4.0 GPAs in that course?
Most of your grade (about 2/3) will be based on weekly problem sets.
Doing mathematics is the only reliable way to learn it, and most of the ma-
terial in 55 cannot reasonably be done in the framework of a few-hour exam.(There may be one or two in-class quizzes that will test your recollection
of basic concepts; such a quiz will count for at most the equivalent of one
homework assignment.) A final take-home exam will account for most of the
remaining 1/3 of your grade, with class participation used mostly to decide
borderline cases. Math 55 is not “graded on a curve”; I would be most de-
lighted to find that every single student in the class has earned an A. (When
I have taught 55 previously, most but not all students did earn A or A−.)
Math 55 at Harvard is a comprehensive undergraduate mathematics course that is known for its rigorous curriculum and challenging workload. It covers a wide range of advanced mathematical topics and is offered to only a select group of students.
Math 55 is considered to be the most difficult undergraduate math course at Harvard, and it covers material that is typically taught at the graduate level. It also has a much smaller class size and requires a high level of dedication and mathematical ability.
Enrollment in Math 55 is limited to a small group of students who are selected by the professors based on their performance in previous math courses and their mathematical abilities. It is not open to all undergraduate students at Harvard.
Math 55 covers a wide range of advanced mathematical topics, including linear algebra, abstract algebra, topology, combinatorics, and number theory. It also includes a heavy focus on proofs and problem-solving skills.
The workload for Math 55 is known to be very intense and demanding. Students are expected to spend a significant amount of time outside of class working on problem sets and studying. It is not uncommon for students to spend over 20 hours a week on the course.