What Are Berkeley Grad Students Saying About Maths Courses 202A, 205, and 214?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the opinions of Berkeley graduate students regarding mathematics courses 202A, 205, and 214. Course 202A is identified as the most basic and popular among undergraduates, while 205, taught by Sarason, is criticized for being difficult and unengaging. Course 214 covers differential geometry and includes topics on Lie groups, appealing to those interested in differential topology. Students express a preference for 202A and weigh their options between 205 and 214 based on personal interests in complex analysis and differential topology.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex analysis concepts
  • Familiarity with differential geometry principles
  • Knowledge of Lie groups
  • Experience with undergraduate mathematics coursework
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the syllabus and teaching styles for Berkeley's Math 202A
  • Explore reviews and experiences of Math 205, particularly under different instructors
  • Investigate the curriculum and applications of Math 214 in differential geometry
  • Learn about the relationship between complex analysis and differential topology
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students considering advanced mathematics courses, particularly those interested in complex analysis, differential geometry, and course selection at Berkeley.

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Any Berkeley grad students in maths here?

Just want to get your opinions on the following subjects,

202A
205
214

Pros and cons?
 
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It greatly depends on who's teaching the course. Of those three 202A is the most basic. It's taken by about 50% undergraduates. My only experience with 205 is when Sarason taught it, and I did not enjoy it. It was hard, boring, and harshly graded. Unless you really like complex analysis, I wouldn't take it from him. 214 is a standard course in differnetial geometry with some Lie groups stuff. What do you actually want to know?
 
Well I'm a undergraduate student at the moment, and I was thinking of taking 2/3 of those units mentioned above. I've definitely decided on 202A and now I'm trying to decide between 214 and 205. Previously, I've enjoyed both complex analysis and differential topology.
 
Who are you? I'm an undergraduate too.

Also, I really liked 185, but hated 205. It was totally technical stuff. For instance, we spend two weeks proving a bound on one of the coefficients of the taylor expansion of a holomorphic map. That's not my cup of tea.
 
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