Which Math Classes Should I Take to Be Well-Rounded?

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The discussion centers around selecting two math courses for a well-rounded undergraduate experience. The individual has completed several foundational courses and is considering Field Theory, Axiomatic Set Theory, Elementary Logic, and Introduction to Topology. There is a strong inclination towards Field Theory and Topology due to their relevance and utility in advanced mathematics. Field Theory covers essential topics like Galois theory and the fundamental theorem of finite Abelian groups, while Topology includes key concepts such as metric spaces, compactness, and the fundamental group. The suggestion is made that if a more advanced Abstract Algebra course is available, it might cover much of the content in Field Theory, but without that option, Field Theory and Topology are recommended as the best choices for a comprehensive mathematical education.
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hey, I am trying to pick 2 out of these 4 classes. I want to be a well rounded under grad math major. I am in my second year and have done 2 semesters of analysis, 1 abstract algebra, 1 number theory, 2 stats, 1 complex analysis.

these are the choices I have narrowed my options down to. I am leaning towards topo and field theory. of course there is no reason not to take the other two later, but these courses aren't offered every semester...

Field theory
Algebraic and transcendental elements, Galois theory, constructions with straight-edge and compass, solutions of equations of low degrees, insolubility of the quintic equation, Sylow theorems, fundamental theorem of finite Abelian groups.

Axiomatic Set theory
Development of a system of axiomatic set theory, choice principles, induction principles, ordinal arithmetic including discussion of cancellation laws, divisibility, canonical expansions, cardinal arithmetic including connections with the axiom of choice, Hartog's theorem, Konig's theorem, properties of regular, singular and inaccessible cardinals.

Elementary Logic
Elementary development of propositional and predicate logic, including semantics and deductive systems and with a discussion of completeness, incompleteness and the decision problem.

Introduction to topology
Metric spaces, topological spaces, connectedness, compactness (including Heine-Borel and Bolzano-Weierstrass theorems), Cantor sets, continuous maps and homeomorphisms, fundamental group (homotopy, covering spaces, the fundamental theorem of algebra, Brouwer fixed point theorem), surfaces (e.g., Euler characteristic, the index of a vector field, hairy sphere theorem), elements of combinatorial topology (graphs and trees, planarity, coloring problems).
 
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Unless you are particularly interested in Symbolic Logic and "Foundations of Mathematics", I would recommend Field Theory and Topology.
 
Topology and field theory. Although; I'm pretty surprised you don't have another course like 'Abstract Algebra 2' that covers everything in the field theory section along with some ring theory (ideals, euclidean domains, principal ideal domains etc.). If your school does, in fact, offer a class like that I would sugesst you take that instead. If not, definitely field theory and topology (since I assume that if you were really into set theory the other two would be no-brainers, so you must not be that into set theory).
 
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If Algebra 2 had everything in field theory why would both classes exist?
 
Field theory and topology are obviously the more useful ones.
 
Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...

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