Courses Which subject is easier to pick up? (Undergraduate maths)

[Cordelia]

Hello all.To complete my degree, I need to take one of the two alternatives:
1. Point set topology
2. Numerical methods

Which alternative is easier to pick up and do better in? I should mention that I do not have any programming experience whatsoever!

 

[jedishrfu]

I should think numerical methods which will involve ordinary math functions being used in numerically integrating differential equations.

Point set topology will involve definitions, theorems and proofs.

Personally, I'd be more comfortable in numerical methods and you'd now learn how to program.

 

[S.G. Janssens]

Which alternative is easier to pick up and do better in?

I think that depends on the person. Probably for the majority of students "numerical methods" would be easier (because less abstract), but I also know mathematics students that would do well in "point-set topology" but for whom "numerical methods" would be an ordeal.

What is it that you would like to do with your undergraduate degree? If you want to enter the job market, I would pick "numerical methods". If you are interested in continuing your studies then, depending on your preferred field, "point-set topology" may be a better choice. In addition to being interesting in its own right, it underpins much of analysis and forms the basis for studying other branches of topology.