Programs Will these courses will be good enough preparation for a pure math PhD program?

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The discussion centers on a freshman's planned math course trajectory over four years, including a comprehensive list of undergraduate and graduate courses such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, and various advanced topics like Algebraic Topology and Complex Analysis. There is a consensus on the importance of taking courses that align with personal interests, as enjoyment in learning correlates with long-term retention and understanding. Additionally, the necessity of incorporating physics and computer science courses is acknowledged, particularly emphasizing theoretical computer science. Functional Analysis is suggested as a valuable addition to the curriculum. The conversation highlights that understanding key concepts, such as advanced calculus and fundamental theorems, is more crucial than the sheer number of courses taken.
inknit
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I'm currently a freshman and these are all the math courses I plan on taking in 4 years.

Undergrad:
- Calc II (taken), Calc III, Linear Algebra I, Linear Algebra II, Real Analysis I, Real Analysis II, Ordinary Differential Equations, Intro to Abstract Algebra, Complex Variables, Survey of Algebra, Number Theory, General Topology, Differential Geometry, Advanced Multivariate Calculus

Graduate:
-Algebraic Topology I, Complex Analysis I, Homological Algebra, Measure Theory, Algebraic Topology II, Complex Analysis II...3-6 more graduate math classes

Also, do you think it's necessary to take some physics, computer science classes? I already took programming.
 
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My first advice for you would be "take courses that you think you will enjoy", because in the long term perspective how much you have learned will matter very less as opposed to how much you have enjoyed. Also, learning and enjoying what you learn have very good correlation, one can easily affect the other. Sorry for this boring advice, just my 2 cents!

The simple answer to your question is yes. I would add Functional Analysis to your list of "courses to take". Regarding Physics & Computer Science, if you can take courses from theoretical computer science that will be so cool, both the subject and the math you apply to them. I don't know much about Physics courses.
 
More important than how many courses you take, is what you understand well. I would say especially important is advanced calculus (multivariable), i.e. roughly the content of spivak's little book, calculus on manifolds, although it might be better to read that after having a more traditional course on the material.

E.g absolutely basic results include Green's theorem and the implicit function theorem of two variables, and yet it is rare (in some places) to find even an advanced graduate class in which most students know these theorems well.
 
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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